King says Nets a playoff team, but still need more

By Tom Canavan

Associated Press

Published: Friday, July 13 2012 2:05 p.m. MDT

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Joe Johnson, left, and Deron Williams smile during a news conference introducing the Brooklyn Nets new backcourt of All-Stars at Brooklyn Borough Hall, Friday, July 13, 2012, in the Brooklyn borough of New York in New York. The Nets NBA basketball team re-signed Williams and acquired Johnson.

Mary Altaffer, Associated Press

Summary

Re-signing point guard Deron Williams and acquiring shooting guard Joe Johnson have given the Nets an All-Star backcourt that can get the franchise back to the playoffs in its first season in Brooklyn.

NEW YORK — Re-signing point guard Deron Williams and acquiring shooting guard Joe Johnson have given the Nets an All-Star backcourt that can get the franchise back to the playoffs in its first season in Brooklyn.

Speaking at a news conference on Friday, general manager Billy King and coach Avery Johnson said the Nets can be one of the top teams in the East, but they need a few more pieces to compete for an NBA title.

The Nets, who saw a deal for Dwight Howard fall through earlier this week, have reshaped their woeful team since missing the playoffs for the fifth straight season. They have re-signed small forward Gerald Wallace and center Brook Lopez, acquired forward Reggie Evans and are talking with veteran Kris Humphries and Jerry Stackhouse.

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