Speaking to reporters before boarding the Nets' charter to Moscow, Bruce Ratner said that Barclays Center construction is "on time and on budget" and "I can guarantee 2012." The scheduled completion date for the $940 million Brooklyn arena is late spring/early summer 2012. The Nets plan to play in Barclays Center for the 2012-13 season.

Ratner, who is building the arena in partnership with the Empire State Development Corp., said excavation for the arena at Flatbush and Atlantic avenues is "75-to-80% complete." As reported last week, one of the last two buildings in the arena footprint is being torn down while the other is being prepped for demolition.  And that same time, the first sections of the arena foundation is being installed.  Ratner has said the first "steel in the sky" will be seen early next year.

• Ratner guarantees arena for 2012 - Stefan Bondy - New York Daily News