NBA News & Rumors Update 2013: New York City Will Not Be a Brooklyn Nets Town, Says Knicks Guard Raymond Felton

The New York Knicks - Brooklyn Nets rivalry continues to heat up as Raymond Felton responded to Paul Pierce, who said that the Brooklyn Nets will be the face of New York City in the NBA.

Knicks starting point guard Raymond Felton strongly disagreed with Pierce's prediction that New York City will eventually be a Brooklyn Nets town, saying that Pierce is just trying to fuel the rivalry between the two New York City teams.

"They will never take over the city. Because we've got 'New York' on our chest. They've got 'Brooklyn' on their chest, and we've got 'New York.' They'll never take over the city. Pierce saying that is just him talking. At the end of the day, it's all about rivalries. We understand that -- he knows that, I know that. He's just trying to fuel it," Felton told Ian Begley of ESPN New York.

Earlier this month, Pierce stated that his hatred for the Knicks reached a new level after he was acquired by the Nets in a blockbuster deal that sent shockwaves through the city of New York.

"Everybody knows how much I disliked the Knicks when I was with the Celtics, but I think it's grown to another level. I think it's time for the Nets to start running this city," said Pierce.

Felton, on the other hand, clarified that his response is nothing personal, saying that Pierce's statement is good for both teams, who are expected to go toe-to-toe against each other in the 2013-14 NBA season.

"He's just trying to talk, talk, talk, to fuel the rivalry, which is good. I love it. I think it's good for us, it's good for the whole state, and it's good. So, whatever, I love it," Felton added.

Both teams made major moves this offseason. The Nets made the bigger splash, acquiring Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Terry from the Boston Celtics, while also signing defensive ace forward Andrei Kirilenko and hiring Jason Kidd as the team's head coach.

The Knicks, on the other hand, acquired Andrea Bargnani via trade with the Toronto Raptors and signed free agent veterans Metta World Peace and Beno Udrih.

The Knicks and the Nets will face each other four times in the regular season. The Nets will host the Knicks in the first meeting between the teams on Dec. 5 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.