Lionel Hollins: 'All The Possibilities For Being A Champion Are In Place'

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It's been a rough offseason for the Nets, who were expected to contend for a title after spending record money last summer.

The team expectedly lost Shaun Livingston to free agency, but unexpectedly lost Paul Pierce as well.

And, of course, head coach Jason Kidd bolted Brooklyn for Milwaukee after just one season, leaving general manager Billy King scrambling to find a new leader.

Well that leader turned out to be Lionel Hollins, and despite the turmoil surrounding this franchise, the 60-year-old remains cool, calm and confident.

"I believe all the possibilities for being a champion are in place," Hollins recently told the Nets' website. "And we just have to do our jobs to make it a reality, both the players and the coaches. And then we can all celebrate together."

Talk about being undeterred.

The Nets, who finished 44-38 last season and were bounced in the second round of the playoffs by the Heat, still have a solid core in Brook Lopez, Deron Williams and Joe Johnson.

Health remains a major factor, however, as Lopez only played 17 games in 2013-14 before breaking his right foot. Williams, whose ankles continue to be an issue, missed 18 games.

38-year-old Kevin Garnett, who is no longer the superstar player he once was, is expected to return to Brooklyn for a second season.

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