As second season in Brooklyn begins, Nets seem to have the edge over Knicks; more BK food at arena

Thanks to a remarkable transformation of the roster over the summer, the Brooklyn Nets, in their second year, are widely seen to have the edge, at least in expected wins, over the long-established New York Knicks--though, of course, any sports season can have its wild cards, especially related to injuries.

The New York Times has a compilation, Pick a Side: Nets or Knicks? , with several contributors. Some excerpts below. There's even a video attached, titled "Nets' Turn to Be Talk of the Town."

Kenny Smith, an analyst for TNT’s N.B.A. broadcasts, wrote "Nets Now Have ‘New York’ Feel":

I think the conversation about pursuing excellence will be the same in both of these locker rooms. They both want to win. But from top to bottom, I’d have to say the Nets have the better roster. If the Nets don’t go to the N.B.A. finals, I think it will be a disappointment for them because they don’t have much of a window.

It’s different for the Knicks. Carmelo Anthony is still in his prime. They can retool after the season, especially if Carmelo stays and re-signs. The Nets don’t have that .

Times writer Beckley Mason wrote "Advantage, Brooklyn":

The Nets are old and might sacrifice a couple of victories in the regular season to guarantee their playoff health. But they have depth and will be able to spread the minutes around a team that is full of competent, savvy veterans. That is impressive when you consider some of the Nets who played substantial minutes last season.

By the playoffs, the Nets should be rounding into a physical, smart team that no one will be excited to meet in a seven-game series.

Bleacher Report columnist and former Times writer Howard Beck wrote "The Nets Fit Together":

 Unlike the Isiah Thomas-led Knicks of the mid-2000s, which were stocked with high-priced but ill-fitting stars, these Nets fit together. You might say the Nets stole the Knicks’ blueprint but simply did it better.

Having stolen the headlines and the Knicks’ thunder, the Nets are poised to steal the title as New York’s best basketball team. mes from 2004 to 2013.

Nets CEO Brett Yormark, as reported by NetsDaily, says the goal has risen from aiming to "be in the conversation":

"I think what Billy King did this summer was incredible and slowly we are becoming the conversation," said the Nets CEO. "There's a lot of anticipation for this team. We've got incredible star power. And I think the goal right now is to own New York and I think we're looking, hoping to do that."

More BK food vendors

Meanwhile, the Daily News reports, in Barclays Center upgrades Brooklyn Taste program to feature 55 Brooklyn-based vendors, that the arena has added 18 vendors:

The Chocolate Room is bringing their decadent chocolate brownies made with vanilla extract from Madagascar and 61% Belgian chocolate, as well as its signature three-layer chocolate cake with a blackout filling and chocolate frosting. “It’s sort of the McDonald’s French fry of The Chocolate Room,” says co-owner Jon Payson of the Park Slope café treat which will now be the arena’s exclusive brownie.
Other sweet newcomers include Red Hook’s Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pie served on Suite Level A and B, frozen yogurt shop Let’s YO! on Flatbush Ave. and Sugar Factory, slated to open in mid-December on the Sixth Ave. side of the arena.

Note that The Chocolate Room has also faced a huge rent increase blamed on the arena. Also, it's the first time we've gotten a firm date on the opening of the Sugar Factory, which has been promised since last fall. And the arena web site still lists 37 vendors.