In the last 10 days, the Nets have been asked roughly a billion times what they believe is the biggest difference between this year’s trip to the Finals and last year’s trip to the Finals.

The biggest difference is, this year, the Nets believe they can win.

San Antonio is a superb team, defensively strong, fundamentally solid. But so are the Nets. The Nets’ defense is the most overlooked part of their game. They run, they jump, they dunk. But they defend, too. And they believe.

POINT GUARD

Tony Parker vs. Jason Kidd

Parker is great in the open floor, has a deadly teardrop shot in the lane, is an excellent pick-and-roll player but a streaky shooter. He is troubled by bigger, stronger guards. Kidd is bigger, stronger.

Edge: NETS

SHOOTING GUARD

Bruce Bowen vs. Kerry Kittles

Bowen is an excellent on-ball defender and a premier 3-point shooter who loves the corner. Kittles has guarded prime-time scorers, so this could let him be more aggressive offensively.

Edge: NETS

SMALL FORWARD

Stephen Jackson vs. Richard Jefferson

Ex-Net Jackson, a high-energy guy who lives off the open 3, has made great strides but is on a shorter leash. Mess up here and sit. Jefferson must halt those open looks, be active off the ball and be aggressive offensively to get to the line.

Edge: NETS

POWER FORWARD

Tim Duncan vs. Kenyon Martin

Duncan kills you inside and out. He’s old school, fundamentally sound, flashy as a ham sandwich. A willing passer, he’ll post on both blocks, use an assortment of moves and bust you on the offensive glass. At 7-feet, he’s a superb shot-blocker. Martin has a blend of speed, quickness and strength that make him one of the NBA’s best defenders, but he’ll need help. And he must make Duncan defend.

Edge: SPURS

CENTER

David Robinson vs. Jason Collins

This is not the Robinson of past years but he’s still a capable player who runs the floor, shoots face-up jumpers, scores in the post. He remains a good offensive rebounder, excellent passer and sound shot-blocker. Collins has to do what he always does: play smart, play positional, help on defense, keep Robinson off the offensive glass.

Edge: SPURS

BENCH

The Spurs have good depth, led by Malik Rose, a tribute to hard work and an assassin on the offensive glass. Manu Ginobili is a good slasher/finisher who has shot 3s well. The Nets counter Rose with Rodney Rogers and Aaron Williams, with Lucious Harris on Ginobili. Anthony Johnson must give quality minutes so Kidd rests. Dikembe Mutombo might play. Might.

Edge: SPURS

COACH

Gregg Popovich runs a disciplined, organized show, one capable of performing in transition but most comfortable at a deliberate pace. For Byron Scott: three years, two Finals trips, a 23-11 playoff record. Not too shabby.

Edge: SPURS

PREDICTION

In October, we said the Nets were the choice “if.” That if represented the Lakers. The Nets would come out of the East and win, but if the Lakers were waiting, the Nets were toast. There are no Lakers in the way.

NETS IN SIX