BATTLE OF THE BOTTOMS: Brooklyn Nets set to host New York Knicks

Jan. 21, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) looks to pass the ball around Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Joe Johnson (7) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Nets won 88-85. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

Carmelo Anthony believes his New York Knicks (3-13) are the joke of the NBA right now. The same could be said about the Brooklyn Nets (5-13), though, the team that they will be facing on Thursday night at the Barclays Center. Game of the night, possibly the game of the year.

The two New York teams, a combined 8-26, are struggling to say the least. The Nets just fired, or “reassigned”, their assistant coach (whom most people believed he was the real coach) and every time the Knicks talk they sound like your depressed cousin that locks himself in his room.

But let them tell you:

"[ESPN]“We are the laughingstock of the league right now,” Anthony said. “It’s nothing to hide. We are. That’s why it is a big game for us. Do I like being laughed at? Hell, no. I don’t like that feeling.”“Well, I mean, expectations were high for both teams,” Woodson said on “The Stephen A. Smith and Ryan Ruocco Show” on ESPN New York 98.7. “And I somewhat agree. We both do stink. We have stunk it up in the early part of the season.”“I think any win for our team is important,” Woodson said. “Just to arrange the psyche of our team. Right now I think the spirits are high still. Practice was spirited today. I think our guys are committed. They haven’t quit and they know what is ahead of us in terms of do we still have an opportunity to win the division? And we do, and rightfully so.”"

Like it or not, see it or you don’t, this game is a huge contest for both of these teams. Remember when they trash-talked each other up during the offseason? Well, all that was for this moment. Even though, they both pretty much suck at this point, a win over a “rival” (because that’s what they want to call each other) can do wonders. Remember when the Miami Heat beat the Cleveland Cavaliers back in 2010, that was the moment the inaugural big three finally began to click.

I’m not trying to compare either of these teams to that Heat team, but I’m just trying to make the point that one game can be that difference from turning a season around to continuing the downward spiral into lottery central.

Both teams are beaten, battered and have taken an emotional toll. It’s funny how quickly things can change. In the offseason, many were picking the trendy Nets as the team that was going to take out the Heat. HAHA. Right, Rob Parker?

Heck, I’m not going to bang on him that much. I picked Jason Kidd as my Coach of the Year. Welp.

But this is going to be the biggest game that no one really cares about. Makes sense?

Both teams need a win. Whoever gets it could be taking the first step into a turnaround. Or it could turn out to mean absolutely nothing. That’s the beauty of it though. Sometimes, we just don’t know.

Melo said he’s tired of being the laughingstock of the NBA. Let’s see if the rest of his guys feel the same.

Knicks vs Nets. Give me all of it, no matter what you guys say. Game of the week.