This guy gets paid for writing this stuff? Real weak…

You are my favorite poster.

seriously…the “lure of NY” is so over-hyped. People forget how the Yanks of the late 80s/early 90s couldn’t get anyone but your second rate players like Danny Tartabull to come and play here. In the mid-80s, they had decent teams and were able to pull of trades to bring stars here — stars they ended up trading away cuz it didn’t work. Yanks finally realized that they had to build within. When they finally had a nucleus, then they added the veteran players around it and the rest is history. The Knicks and the Garden mean nothing to NBA free agents unless the Knicks are winning. And even then, it was hard for the Knicks to get that legit second star for Patrick Ewing…and if memory serves me correctly, when they finally had that cap room in 96 or 97, the best they got was damaged goods in Larry Johnson, an over-rated player in Allan Houston, and a one hit wonder in Chris Childs. There’s no doubt that MSG is electric when the Knicks are winning but I have no clue where the idea that super star players are dying to play in NY when there hasn’t been any proof of that unless you’re the NY Yankees.

New York is the greatest city in the world. New York has the most loyal basketball fans in the world. The New York fans are corporate types with big wallets who can help a player. Madison Square Garden is, even with the Cablevision hype, the most storied arena in the game.

The lure of New York is NOT overestimated. What is getting increasingly tiresome is the provincial attitude of some on this board towards New York. A Net move to Brooklyn would mean a move of 15 miles by car, 11 miles in real distance. Teams move that far all the time. The Cavs have moved further twice, once out to the suburbs, once back.

Once that first shovel hits thr ground in Brooklyn things will change for the entire organization. Book it, Lebron and Amare next summer!

This is not a slight against Brooklyn, but Brooklyn ain’t Manhattan. “The lure of Manhattan” should have been the appropriate quote. And I’m not saying that lure isn’t a factor in players’ decision making, but I do think it’s somewhat overhyped. In cases where it’s the deciding factor for a player, it could be the reason players come here, or the reason players choose to go elsewhere.

Not everyone can deal, or is comfortable with the bright lights of the big city. I’m sure just as many players stay away from NY because they don’t want to deal with the media or the “rude”, demanding fans. And in a global society with many technological options to keep up with your favorite teams and players, the need to play in NY is not as much of a draw as it used to be, IMO. Also, endorsements are more plentiful and easier to come by these days because of technology, so the idea that Manhattan is the one place to make more money through exposure doesn’t hold up as well.

@MrT
You’re exactly right, I’ve stated the same thing previously myself. Brooklyn is NOT Manhattan, there are people who go to Manhattan and would never step foot into Brooklyn. It’s laughable that everyone seems to think that every superstar player is lined-up to run to NY and make these huge endorsement deals. Players like LeBron and D Wade DONT need NY, NY needs THEM. Last I checked they were doing just fine in the endorsement area, I’m pretty sure I’ve seen them in commercials and selling sneakers, jersey’s and everything in between. NY is looking for the next great hero to save their team, those guys arent gonna suddenly lose out by not going to NY.

Also, YES the lure of New York IS, in fact, over-rated. Most free agents have no intention of ever playing for NY, they just use them as a bargaining chip against the team they really want to go to, but they want more money. There’s always a summer story that superstar X is meeting with the Knicks, but then you never see them signed because they go to another team and not always in a big market. Players know the Knicks throw money like it’s on fire so if they can get a big offer from NY, their real choice has to pony up a couple of dollars more to make them happy. NY is just a great marketing scheme for free agents, not a serious destination. Now just imagine, if that’s the history in MANHATTAN, what’s gonna happen with signing guys to go to Brooklyn?

Can anyone name how many top-tier superstar players have signed with the Knicks as a free agent, OR forced a trade to the Knicks over the past 25 years while they were entering/in/or up to 2 years removed from their prime? I’d like to see that list. Surely it’s a long one since EVERY great player wants to play in NY and also make all this endorsement money.

The fact that the Knicks have stunk for the past 10 years and have had to overpay players should be evidence enough that NY does not provide any allure to players. If not, check out the Yankees who wildly overpay everyone to bring them to NY. The reason? The highest tax rate in the nation. 10% is a big number when you have a choice of where to sign a max contract. Don’t discount the ownership situation either. Agents will exact a premium to place their clings in a questionable situation.

If New York was so attractive to star players there would already be several of them there. Instead there in pretty much the same position as the Nets even though New Jersey is so “undesirable”.
Anyway a star is a star no matter where he goes. A real star will put New Jersey on the map, they aren’t gonna chase fame and fans, fame and fans will chase them.

every rebuilding team goes through the same thing, this is non news. Plus everyone is assuming we will be atrocius next year, what if with this young core we’re competitive and finish .500ish, and we move to Brooklyn? Since most of these guys only care about $ first (Lebrillionaire) the move to the top market in the world will be a lure.

Look the heart of the matter is that we as Net fans want the team to WIN. The issue is not whether we’re in Brooklyn or New Jersey. The issue, when it all boils down to it, is if our team is finally willing to SPEND in order to WIN. We could have all the cap in the world but the unwillingness to spend will keep us where we are.

I don’t know why I bother to state the obvious because many posters here are either unwilling or unable to accept reality, but here goes. Atlantic Yards is much closer and more convenient to get to from Wall Street than the Garden is. It is also right over an LIRR hub that many Wall Streeters are already using for their commute. Brooklyn has been an ever increasing night life destination for years, especially for younger people. I live in Manhattan and I regularly go to Brooklyn as do my friends who don’t already live there.

The Knicks have been over cap since forever and have not been able to offer a top free agent a decent salary. They have made many deals over the years that compounded their cap problems and reduced their competitiveness on the court (Steve Francis, Zach Randolph, etc., etc.). Free agents want to win. As soon as the Knicks can put together cap space and a promising team, free agents will come. We are a light years ahead of them on that scale, but need to get to Brooklyn and have some ownership $tability to become a top free agent destination.

And taxes? Please. Turkoglu signed with Toronto, and their taxes are even worse than NYC. It’s a factor, true, but it is more than balanced out by increased endorsement income, especially if they are playing on a winning team in the largest market in the western hemisphere.

KFranchise,

I have to disagree with you. I started watching the Nets because they were NEW JERSEY’S team. I didn’t even know NJ had a basketball team of its own until I attended my first game at 10 years old. Of course I want the team to win, but I would be lying if I didn’t say I’m currently more concerned about keeping the team where I live. I guess my reasons for getting to like the Nets were different from yours. I don’t believe Brooklyn has a snowflake’s chance in Hell of happening, but if it did, I’m not sure how I would react. Initially, I would separate myself from the team altogether, but I MIGHT come back to them over time, provided NJ didn’t get another team. In short, winning and team location (in my case, NJ) are equally important to me.

Maybe we shouldn’t be determine real fans v. fake fans by why they like the Nets. If that were the case, I’m sure there are more than a few fans that jumped on the bandwagon after ‘01-’02. But I don’t want to devolve into that discussion, Maybe the most important thing is that we’re all fans. Heck, we must be if we’re taking time away from doing actual work to post on this site! ;-)

I think the big divide that colors all posters’ perspectives is whether they think New York is the enemy (Ratner is just synonymous with NY). I grew up in NJ and now live in Manhattan (as I believe does NI). I love the Nets, am certain there is no future with IZOD, and love the idea of brand new local area arena that rejuvenates the team. For me, it doesn’t matter much whether its Newark or Brooklyn (though Brooklyn has some counter-culture chic). I think we should all be ecstatic that a new arena offers a huge opportunity to turn profitable so we can get a better roster, including a great FA. Every set back, cheered by some Nets fans, are just nails in the Nets’ coffin (they take a permanent home in the NBA’s cellar or a new owner takes them far, far away).

I wonder whether it is possible to host a poll on Netsdaily. If so, it would ask: A) I would rather have the Nets stay in IZOD and remain cellar dwellers; B) I would rather have the Nets move to a new stadium in Brooklyn; C) I would rather see the Nets move out of the area rather than have them move to a new stadium in Brooklyn.

Of course, some will say these don’t represent all choices — ie, what about ‘new owner lavishes fortunes on Nets and somehow turns them around in NJ’ and ‘new owner moves them to Newark.’ The first is just silly and the second seems speculative. I think the real interesting question is how many would vote C above if A, B and C were the Only choices available.

comon b realistic. players prefer more money that’s business, and being in nj isn’t that bad endorsements are great Izod center is like 20min from ny how bad can it be. if a superstar is to come u will c alot of more fans coming to the games especially if lebron comes. ny loves lebron and being a 30min drive they would come 2 c him play.

Guys I posted this on a prior thread a few minutes ago. I fully stand by what I said and am ready to declare that the sky is not black…….

I have been away for the past 2 weeks and have not been online. Its funny though how the postings from end of August are essentially the postings from the beginning of August and from the beginning of July……..

This season is solely about evaluating the young talent that they have on the roster. The Nets are NOT competing for a Finals berth. It’s not happening. But they are positioning themselves to compete for a Finals birth in 2011 and 2012 and beyond.

Fact – The Nets have significant cap space after this season in the best free agent summer in years. Even if we don’t sign Lebron – we still have a shot at adding Bosh as no team will be able to sign 2 max free agents. And our young core presents an opportunity for a max player to come in and instantly compete.

Fact – The Nets have 2 All-Stars or Future All-Stars at the 2 most important positions to build around (DH and BLo). And I’m sure someone is going to call out DH as a fugazi All-Star – a selfish me first player, who plays no defense and is not a good shooter. Either way – there are very few teams with a PG as talented as Harris at a contract as reasonable and at such a young age. And Harris has the ability to play off the ball – so if John Wall presents himself in next season’s draft – the Nets have some on court flexibility.

Fact – The Nets have not 1 but 2 first round (unprotected picks) in next years draft. This draft is expected to be the deepest draft in the past 5+ years. Our pick is a virtual lock for a lottery pick, and I am still convinced that Dallas breaks down and could very well miss the playoffs – netting us 2 lottery picks. With 2 lottery picks – or even 1 lottery pick and 1 pick in the mid teens – I think the Nets could find their PF of the future, along with a backup center who could also play some minutes at the 4 (Solomon Alabi – FSU)

Fact – The Nets managed to turn VC’s salary into a young promising talent at the 2 – in Courtney Lee. I LOVE VC and almost cried before the draft when he was traded. But from a purely business perspective – they swapped a max deal for a rookie contract and have fully committed to rebuilding and getting younger. This FORCES DH and Brook to step up this year – from both a performance and more importantly leadership perspective. This is a necessary progression in their careers and in the direction of this team. And Courtney Lee did start on a Finals team as a rookie at times – so the potential for Courtney to become a hidden gem is definitely there. Once he is settled in and starts to play he will be fine. Nobody was expecting DH to explode the way he has in NJ – perhaps Courtney Lee develops into a 18 ppg 2 guard…

Fact – The Nets had another strong draft taking the most athletic swingman in the draft. Currently the SF position is only manned by Jarvis Hayes (arguably one of the top 5 bargains in all of the NBA). Perhaps the Nets biggest problem over the past 5 years has been a virtual lack of perimeter defense. RJ never prevented wings from penetrating. Antoine Wright was drafted to provide help on defense – we know how that turned out. Etc. Etc. TWill is known first and foremost for his defense. He has the ability to guard 1s-3s on the floor. He is already built like an NBA vet and played for 4 years under Pitino in a powerhouse program. He is also well known as a passer/distributor. This was the ideal complement to the current group of players. His perimeter defense will prevent those easy buckets under the hoop – oftentimes the Nets defense was broken down like this: wing easily drives by perimeter defense, Brook (or Josh, Yi, Sean, etc) forced to step up to meet wing player, help defense never rotates over from the other block – leaving Brook’s man open under the hoop for an easy dunk on a dump pass. Look at the championship teams of the Spurs to see this model – you surround an All-Star Center and PG with a lock down perimeter defender (Bowen) and any offense created becomes an added bonus. The Nets clearly understand this – and added the next logical piece to this young core.

Fact – The Nets young core will also feature CDR, Yi and perhaps both Sean Williams and Josh Boone. CDR is going to continue to work hard and develop and I fully expect CDR to ultimately win 6th man of the year in the next 5 years. Having a player like CDR to come off the bench for instant offense and to bring a swagger to the 2nd unit is invaluable. He is also interchangeable at the 1, 2 and even in some situations the 3. Yi is still only entering his 3rd year in the league and has clearly added muscle and gotten more basketball "in game" experience this summer. He is athletic for a 7 footer, and has a good jumper. If the Nets can work on his mental being – they could have a legit player on their team for the future. Even if Yi never becomes a star at the PF position (and I don’t think he will become a true starting 4) he could easily be a great 3/4 tweener to bring off the bench in the second unit. Sean is also only entering his 3rd season – and still has a limited basketball background. His strongest attributes are his athleticism and his shot blocking/altering ability. Neither of those traits can be taught – its God given. He also needs to work on his head – but having a player of that caliber on a rookie deal who still has the potential to develop as a defender off the bench on a young team is invaluable. Watch film of "The Birdman" Anderson and see the impact that he has on Denver’s success. Then look at the many downs he experienced early in his career. To say the book is shut on Sean is short sighted at best. And Josh is better suited to playing the 4 than the 5 – but is still one of the better back up big men in the league. If he could hit his foul shots – there would be nobody hating on Josh on this message board. He needs to get stronger, and he needs to work on his offensive game – but as a guy who will spell Brook for 10 minutes a night – its not a bad thing. And next season we either bring him back on the cheap or target Solomon ALabi with our 2nd pick in the first round.

Fact – We still possess trade chips in Alston, Ratliff, Dooling and maybe even Najera. If we keep both Alston and Ratliff – their salaries come off the books after next season. But as crafty playoff tested veterans – they will command some sort of value as the deadline draws near. A top 8 team with championship aspirations may need to add another veteran to their team to cement their Finals run – or have an injury situation (like Orlando last year) where they have no choice but to trade for Alston. If the Nets can turn either or both of those pieces from the Carter trade into first round picks in 2010 or 2011 – its another piece to cement our young core. Also their veteran leadership (particularly Ratliff could be beneficial to our young bigs – Brook, Sean, Josh).

So while we are not competing for a championship in 2010, in 2011 we will have a drastically improved team and the message boards will be much more optimistic. DH, Brook, CDR, Lee, TWill, 2 first rounders, Yi and cap space (and expect to see Jarvis resigned for another 2-3 year cap friendly deal) could produce a title run by 2011.

I’m so tired about hearing the distance from Izod to Brooklyn is like a slip-n-slide away.

Gimme a break. If they nets were in queens now and they moved to brookyn, yeah it’d be close.

But us NJ folks know what a disaster it is to drive up the turnpike, find parking, hit up a path or train, then go to brooklyn and do the same going home. We aren’t going to do it. And the comparison of cleveland is poor at best.

Forgive us if we don’t want that hassle. And the mere fact that you smile and say its only 11 miles is extremely misleading to some of the younger folks here who buy into everything certain posters put out there.

Great post Ryan…

@Ryan

+1 Great post, but…

Ratliff = Battie?

@Trenton — Do you LIVE in Trenton? If not, take the train or bus from your home to Penn Station or Port Authority bus terminal respectively, then 1 train to AY. If you can walk to train of bus, no cars or parking are involved. Pc. of cake.

I live on W 22nd St. It’s a major foul smelling hassle to drive through the tunnel to pay for parking at Izod. Sure rather read a book than study the taillights of various trucks once more. Sometimes there are traffic jams. then i miss the tipoff. Driving is much more dangerous than transit. It’s better to have a long life than a short life.

AND I’m still such a Nets fan that I do this instead of walking 8 blocks to the worlds most famous arena. Nets team = much better than knicks. Nets fans = much worse than knicks.

Sorry people don’t enjoy New York. It’s their loss. I have lived in NJ all my life except for a year in Washington and another couple of years in the Air Force…and I have worked in New York for 30 years.

I guess getting to the Barclays Center would be a burden for shut-ins.

The "lure" of NYC can make a difference if all other aspects are the same. The fact that the Knicks have stunk since Ewing left is the reason nobody wants to play for them and will be the same for the Nets no matter where they play. Conversely if you have a winner here the "lure" is tremendous especially for players who have ties here. The key is to have a winner which neither b-ball team does now but if the Nets are even competitive and reside in Brooklyn there is no comparison to anywhere out of the city as far as having a "lure". Maybe the fact that people haven’t seen a good b-ball team in NYC for so long they forgot what its like. I don’t understand NJ fans that won’t go to Brooklyn. I’m sure people go to the Bronx and Queens from NJ for baseball. Besides the Nets probably think that whatever fans they lose from NJ they can replace with other fans from the region cuz they will be centrally located.

Maybe we don’t need to acquire a “Big Time FA”. If Lopez and Harris become all-star, high quality talents, and the young ones (T-Will, CDR, Lee, Yi) progress then maybe we can seriously compete by picking up a 2nd tier free agent or two, or get a couple of nice pieces thru trades. Where is it written that acquiring LeBron, Wade, Bosh or Amare guarantee a championship? There must be more then one way to skin a cat. Any suggestions?

@ Ronnie.

No I don’t live in Trenton, but i do live in the Ocean/Monmouth area and there are no trains with direct access to NY. I’d have to transfer. And even if i did that I would still have to hop on a subway from Penn station. Thats a lot of traveling for one day.

@ Net Income

You are wrong, sir. Barclays is not a burden for shut-ins, rather the opposite….those of us with lives. We have other parts of our lives that take precedent so we cannot dedicate 7 hours to the Nets (traveling to, attending the game, traveling home)

Barclays is closer than IZOD to Monmouth and Ocean. Using the Get Directions feature on Google Maps, I chose Aldrich Road in Howell as my starting point, being on the Monmouth-Ocean border and not close to mass transportation.

The trip from Howell to the Barclays Center, via Staten Island, is 38.8 miles. The trip for Howell to the IZOD Center, via the Parkway and Turnpike, is 46 miles. It would be more expensive of course because of the tolls.

Barclays in fact is closer to any point in New Jersey south of Middlesex County.

Actually, Barclays is infinitely far away since it is currently imaginary. But AY is real and just about exactly as far by car (@60 mi) from the Jersey Shore as is the Izod. But here is the difference.

parkway (5 lanes each way), turnpike (5 lanes), Izod.

parkway (5 lanes), 440 (3 lanes), outbridge (2 lanes), W. Shore Expwy (2 lanes) staten island expressway (3), gowanus & BQE (2/3 lanes), Atlantic Ave (2 lanes maybe).

Mass transit? From here? A joke. I love my big screen and DVR!

@Net Income

OK, you freaked me out a bit with the Aldrich Rd stop. Was that picked at random or do you secretly know where I really live haha.

I don’t support Staten Island nor any of its roadways (have you seen those people at the bars!?) Sure the mileage may work in your favor if you use those points, but if I don’t hit any traffic on the Driscoll, 440 or 287 It’d be a miracle.

And even then it would require Cars, Ferries, Trains and Cabs to get there. Too rich for my taste.

@Net Income
The distance may not be the bad part, what about accounting for traffic? I can only imagine what it would be like heading into NY on a game night when both the Nets and Knicks play. NY traffic can be horrible even when you’re not driving into gameday traffic from NJ.

Just to be clear, I totally support the move to Brooklyn, for the good of the team. I am sure the fan and sponsor support would be much greater than now (but that’s not saying much, present company excepted). If there are good restaurants or shopping in the area, I might actually talk the wife into going to a game. The Meadowlands got nothin!

Fans going to see the Nets at AY would not be on the same roads as any other team’s fans except a few Mets fans, and they don’t play past September!

Just to be clear as mud, I also like the idea of Newark, but it would be the same pathetic fan support as now. But a shorter drive, plus maybe restaurants and shopping, so I might actually get a ticket package.

Net Income,

For someone from Jersey, you sure don’t seem to grasp the concept of driving distance and actual time sitting in a car in god-awful traffic. Miles alone don’t figure into the trip. Wasted gas and aggravation also figure in, as you should know. If I have to choose between Izod, Barclays abd the Rock coming from the shore, my first choice is Newark, followed by Izod, and (teeth-clenched) Brooklyn.

The reverse commute into Jersey from NY isn’t that bad. However, driving into or out of Manhattan from Jersey during any part of the rush is insane (and stressful!), but also having to cross an East River bridge. Shoot me now! Even bypassing the traffic in Manhattan via the Outerbridge or Goethals isn’t much better. By the time you get into Brooklyn, most of the expressways are parking lots with no shoulders, and if anything happens on the road, you’d miss tip-off.

Again, I am ignorant on this situation so I’d appreciate being filled in. Don’t get pissed, just please educate me. I dont get to read everything out there (guess I’m not as big of a fan)

IZOD will soon not be availbale to the Nets, is that right? They want to go to Brooklyn and buiild a new arena, but this is not yet a certainty. It seems like Stern and the NBA have endorsed this as the plan so to speak, right?

So if Brooklyn doesn’t happen, is IZOD stil an option? Is Newark even being considered? If neither of these is appealling to whoever owns the team, would they just pack it up and really relocate to where its more than just an incovenient car-mass transit ride, more like a different time zone or a plabe trip/vacation thing (yikes). Or would they even, what’s the word when a team folds up – contract (like contraction i.e. getting smaller)? Haven’t heard that at all.

What are the hopefulls who want the team to stay in Jersey (I’d include myself) hedging their hopes on? I’m missing the leverage there. So that’s why I’m thinking if they land in Brooklyn, yeah its not the best for me (for the organization- who knows?), but at least they’re stll ‘around’, NYC metro area (just like now if you didnlt reaize, even kenney Anderson used to say it LOL), can go to games (Bergen County here!) and TV market the same.

Is there nay chance that they’d go elsewhere (not Jersey), if Brooklyn doens’t plan out? If not, then heck I’m with teh stayig at Xanadu or going to Newark. But I’l take Brooklyn over Seatlle no diggity. I may be way off.

State of NJ would love the Nets to stay at Izod but team can’t seem to make $$ there because they don’t own it. Same with Newark, they would still be renters and also fan base would be the same (puny). If Brooklyn fails to build, Rat will sell and new owners might be pro-NJ, then it’s hello Newark, or might be from Seattle, then it’s goodbye Nets.

Nuff said?

“John at the Jersey Shore Says:

August 27th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Fans going to see the Nets at AY would not be on the same roads as any other team’s fans except a few Mets fans, and they don’t play past September!

Just to be clear as mud, I also like the idea of Newark, but it would be the same pathetic fan support as now. But a shorter drive, plus maybe restaurants and shopping, so I might actually get a ticket package."

I think you just hit the nail on the head as to why fan support is “perceived” to be weak in Jersey – the Meadowlands! As you said, if Newark happens, there are other options like restaurants and other business, even NJPAC or a museum if you want to make it a day. I don’t hink it’s that NJ fans don’t support the team. I thinkk there are built-in negatives with the Meadowlands – no real transit options other than car, no stores, restaurants, things to do before or after games. What other teams have in most markets are just a few sports franchises and little else to do, so fans can attend games from different teams throughout the year. In this region, your disposable income can go to so many different things, leaving precious little money for something like 9 different sports teams, all vying for your dollar.

This is why the Devils’ recent promo about being “Jersey’s Team” is so smart. They are differentiating themselves from the other teams that play in the State, yet don’t want to associate themselves with us. I think the Nets (along with planned developmet immediately around the Rock) will make Newark attractive, and a good draw for our team.

It’s clear that the ROCK is better than the IZOD but not better than Brooklyn. Unfortunately NJ fans may never have the chance to show the Nets the ROCK could work but they do have those exhibition games coming up. Lets see what happens.

@ RYAN243;
  Nice job with your analysis. It seems most posters on this site would rather discuss anything concerning the Nets other then the actual team on the court. They all must be season ticket holders who are going to go thru a major upheavel if the Nets move to Brooklyn. I guess I can’t blame them, but it does get boring. The owner is Ratner, the team wants to move to Brooklyn, the team has no plans to spend money on players right now, they all know this but still complain about it. Once again nice post and maybe when preseason starts the talk will shift back to B-Ball. Stick around…

Nuff said John at the Jersey Shore. So it isn’t a foregone conclusion that the Nets stay in Jersey if Brookln doesn’t pan out.

But that is not being discussed by people who state emphatically how much Brooklyn sucks, and they may be right, but those detractors seem to communicate that Newark is the defacto automtaic landing spot if Brooklyn dies. And its only a maybe – a big maybe if you ask me. I’d be psyched about Newark and gentrification etc, but I still don’t know why business people would go the Newark route. Sorry. The Devils are not a good example to me. But hey- I’d like to see it. It doens’t hurt me if there in Newark. I’m in Newark alot (especially Ironbound – Brazilian strippers LOL)

I fear that if Brooklyn doesn’t work there’s a significant chance they’re gone altogther. I have nothing to back that up – its just what I think LOL. Hey something is gonna happen. I just hope the donlt turn out to be the new Sonics. Isn’t a weird that what I thought was a good and successful franchise like the Sonics no longer exists? Hmmm…

Looks like someone took a page from “The Book of Mina”

FACT: Hold your breath for 2011…please.

at Net Income:

“Teams move that far all the time. The Cavs have moved further twice, once out to the suburbs, once back.”

You know darn well this is a completely different siutation. Moving to the suburbs from the city and vice versa does not change the overall identity of the franchise – they are still the “Cleveland” Cavaliers. New Jersey is not a suburb of Brooklyn – it is another state! People from New Jersey by and large and several others like me FROM Brooklyn are not going to support the New Jersey Nets if they leave the state whereas the moves you alluded to such as in Cleveland did not effect the fan base of the franchise whatsoever.

Sorry I clearly meant Battie. Been on vacation and was reading something about Ratliff when I woke up. Again, that was the optimistic approach – but I see once again 98% of the posters want to argue about Jersey vs Brooklyn, driving directions, Staten Island traffic and the like. Absolutely nothing about basketball…..

I live in Harmon Cove Towers in Secaucus. I can physically see Giants Stadium from the top floor of our parking garage. I can be to the IZOD with no traffic in 5 minutes. Due to all the construction and the pure stupidity of Jersey politicians and developers (honestly pls feel free to point out one project this state has ever done that makes sense) it can take me 45 minutes to get from my apartment into the arena. I am originally from NY and lived in both Manhattan and Brooklyn and work in Manhattan. I have had season tickets since 2002 – and for the past 5 years have viewed these tickets as an option on Brooklyn. I probably live closer to the arena than anyone on this message board – and invite anyone of you to take the ride from my house to IZOD if you want to challenge my 45 minutes drive time on weeknight games with traffic. Truth be told – it would take the same amount of time to go to Brooklyn. And with the new park and ride lot in Secaucus – it would probably be even faster. I routinely deal with the 4 train to Yankee Stadium and then walking across town to Port Authority to then take an unreliable NJ Transit bus home. The total travel time for coming home from a night game is easily 90 minutes. It seems that most people on this board would swear off spending 90 minutes commuting home after a game – BUT I am a fan and I like to see a winning team. Reread what I wrote earlier (and feel free to reread virtually a year’s worth of my posts as they are all in the same vein) – this team has put itself into position to be a very competitive team in the very near future thru smart drafting, free agency and trades. I only want to win a championship. I go to sleep dreaming of a Nets championship 6 nights a week – and I could care less if I am going to Brooklyn or IZOD, even though I feel Brooklyn will be a 100% better all around experience from a full arena, new facility, better food, etc. Point being that if you are really a fan – embrace this team for what they currently have and stop b*tching about Jersey pride, etc. Who gives what state they play in……Hudson and Bergen Counties could be a 6th borrough of NYC anyways. Get over it. Lets go Nets.

To add to Isaac’s point on the Cavs moving to Richfield and then back to Cleveland, that was because of one of the two things. It was either that the owner wanted them to move outside the city or that he couldn’t afford to have them play there. Let’s not forget that the Lakers used to play over at the GW Forum out in Inglewood, and they still managed to sell out despite the fact that the Clippers played in LA itself over at LA Sports Memorial Stadium, but they both moved to Staples Center to be closer to downtown. The Sonics (now the OKC Thunder) temporairly moved to Tacoma when they moved out of the Seattle Center while waiting for Key Arena to be built. Until 1997 when they moved into downtown DC to the MCI (now Verizon) Center, it was sort of awkward to call them the Washington Bullets (now Wizards) when they played in Landover at USAirways Arena. For a time, the Suns used to play at the Sundome in Sun City before moving to America West (now American Airlines) Arena in downtown Phoenix. The Rockets used to play at The Summit (later on Compaq Center) over at Greenway Plaza before being closer to downtown at Toyota Center. The Mavs used to play on the outskirts of Dallas at Reunion Arena, but recently moved closer to downtown at the American Airlines Center. Of course for the Pistons went the opposite way when they moved out of Detroit to Pontiac and then to Auburn Hills and the same for the Spurs when they left the Alamodome for going two miles out outside of downtown SA for the SBC (now AT&T) Center. Meanwhile the 76ers used to play closer to downtown at Philadelphia Arena before moving to to the now demolished Coorestates (later First Union and Wachovia) Spectrum, though they did move across to the First Union (now Wachovia) Center in that same complex. My whole point was to explain who others tried to be more closer where the bulk of their hometown population would be to help boost attendance. Moving to Newark would bring them closer to pretty much the states population being that it’s the largest city in NJ.

“MrT Says:
August 27th, 2009 at 2:59 pm

Net Income,

For someone from Jersey, you sure don’t seem to grasp the concept of driving distance and actual time sitting in a car in god-awful traffic. Miles alone don’t figure into the trip. Wasted gas and aggravation also figure in, as you should know. If I have to choose between Izod, Barclays abd the Rock coming from the shore, my first choice is Newark, followed by Izod, and (teeth-clenched) Brooklyn.

The reverse commute into Jersey from NY isn’t that bad. However, driving into or out of Manhattan from Jersey during any part of the rush is insane (and stressful!), but also having to cross an East River bridge. Shoot me now! Even bypassing the traffic in Manhattan via the Outerbridge or Goethals isn’t much better. By the time you get into Brooklyn, most of the expressways are parking lots with no shoulders, and if anything happens on the road, you’d miss tip-off."

My thoughts exactly…but to be fair, when trying to write up a bunch of spin like Net Income wrote above, one tends to not include factors like that because it would negate everything that he is saying.

Pure and utter garbage. Become a Knicks fan if you love New York so much, i’d rather “the NJ Nets” to stay in New Jersey. Have fun killing yourself getting to those games up in Barclays, if it’s ever built. I’d rather not waste my time putting money into the pockets of this disrespectful ownership group.

“John at the Jersey Shore Says:
August 27th, 2009 at 2:56 pm

Fans going to see the Nets at AY would not be on the same roads as any other team’s fans except a few Mets fans, and they don’t play past September!

Just to be clear as mud, I also like the idea of Newark, but it would be the same pathetic fan support as now. But a shorter drive, plus maybe restaurants and shopping, so I might actually get a ticket package."

Where is your evidence that fan support in Brooklyn would dwarf New Jersey’s?

The chance that the same apathy that is killing the Nets in the IZOD right now could happen in Brooklyn. People are speaking in absolutes about something that have no idea about.