Russian Revolution
by Net Income on Jun 20, 2010 5:03 PM EDT
in 2010 Free Agency
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PrintWriting in this month's SLAM, Dave D'Alessandro tries his hand at handicapping where the 2010 crop of free agents, and specifically LeBron James, will wind up in a couple of weeks. Yes, it's only a couple of weeks.
Here's his take on the Nets chances, entitled "Russian Revolution"...
Two years in the life of a franchise goes by very quickly, but two (at least) prime seasons in the career of a player such as James is probably something he can't bring himself to spend in Newark.
Just the same, try this, just for kicks: Send a screenplay off to Hollywood about a Russian criminal mastermind and a rapper from Bed Stuy teaming up to knock on the door of some lower-middle class kid from Akron in the middle of the night. High jinks ensue.
Second thought, don't quit your day job.
The Nets are hopeful that the mere presence of Mikhail Prokhorov-the oligarch with the prodigious melon and the Promethean business sense-will make LeBron faint. Maybe it works, maybe it doesn't. Our guess is the latter, and the Nets find themselves battling it out for Rudy Gay and David Lee.
Still, it will be an extraordinary transition for this orphan franchise. With the right coach and two starting-quality forwards-something they've lacked for two years and now have $26 million-plus to purchase-they can go from 12 wins to the Playoffs in short order.
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double your pleasure - and exposure
NETS can spin Newark as a chance to start in a new arena in 2010 and again in 2012. Think of the extra jersey sales, media coverage, etc. Double the opportunity that he will get nowhere else.
It's sad when even the NY writers consider Lebron signing with the Nets as "Lebron in NYC"
But our own Star-Ledger writer doesn’t.
Thats Dave D for ya
I remember he was on NBA TV and made Brent Barry look optimistic about the Nets.
I hope they ban Dave D. No interviews, nothing.
When he shows up to start covering training camp, a russian should be waiting at the door for him
“We cannot allow people who look like they haven’t bathed or washed in three years inside. Kindly go back to the park bench that you have been sleeping on this week”
"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."
by MrDollarBills on Jun 20, 2010 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions
this newark hate is so absurd
it really just doesn’t make any sense. Unless these writers think the only possible destinations for any of these free agents are Miami and LA.
I wonder if Carl Everett believes Jamie Moyer exists.
Absolutely.
People make it sound like Lebron will be living in a Central Ward walkup. More likely, he’d buy a ginormous spread in Alpine near his show biz buddies and have his driver take him to the Rock on game days, then to NYC to “unwind” after the game. Not a bad life.
by madisonmetsfan on Jun 20, 2010 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Settling for Gay and Lee's longterm contracts
pretty much ends our hopes to become a contender.
same here
"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."
by MrDollarBills on Jun 20, 2010 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Preferred 1) Haslem and LeBron or fallback 2) Gay and Amare
but not 3) Gay and Haslem. That would boil down to Gay being our big-time free agent pickup. Sad. Gay and Amare alone is a compromise and not really a championship team, let alone Haslem and Gay.
Yeah but where trying to build a team to win a championship in 5 years
Not win a championship next year, unless we get Lebron but I doubt that. If we feel Favors or some say Cousins (But I don’t) is going to be the longterm fix at the position why throw money at Amare if we figure Favors or Cousins will be starting there next year. Amare is going to want max money, why not just get Gay save money and go at it next year not just grab people to grab them.
we don't need Haslem if we draft Favors
We’d need offense at the PF if favors is our guy. Lee would make more sense than Haslem, IMO.
YOU DON'T SIGN...
I PF to a 5 year close to max deal, if your draft a PF at 3… what is the point??!! You people who are not Favors fans, try in so many ways to justify your point, which has no merit or point for that matter…!
Yes he did
I’ll spare everyone and not post an image of Edvard Munch “The Scream”
Please don't let the Nets waste money on David Lee or Rudy Gay
Screw NY & Brooklyn
There Both Dumps!! I am tired of NJ being picked on all the time. NYC has the Knicks and thats that. I dont know who would go to Brooklyn that wont go to Newark. The only people that like Brooklyn is the people that live there! The best part of that city is the roads that lead out of it! How about some loyalty to a State that has supported this team thru thick and mostly thin. If New Jersey is so bad, why does most of the people who work there live over here. And the biggest dump of them all is probabley Russia. I would take Kobe Bryant over Lebron any day of the week! Let him rot in Cleveland, another dump.
I feel you
It’s going to burn like hell when the Nets are selling out Barclays and going deep in the playoffs.
by calling all toasters on Jun 20, 2010 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions
actually
" If New Jersey is so bad, why does most of the people who work there live over here"
its a lot cheaper to live here then in Manhattan.
At least NY has proper grammar teachers.
There, Their, They’re.
by JohnFromLongIsland on Jun 20, 2010 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions
i still don't understand how Newark is a less attractive location compared to Cleveland.
????!!!
Newark is right next to the greatest city in the world…
I mean, New Jersey itself is a nice area with a bad rep for some reason.
Dave D has gone into a funk of late for some reason and his perception of New jersey equates a BS artist writing about NJ without even having to been here.
Oh by the way…the Atlantic Yards area is dump also..actually even more of a dump then Newark is. Brooklyn is a trashy place man, i don’t know why people are so big on it.
Exactly.
I could just slap the next idiot that says something about the horror of playing in Newark. Cleveland is a cess pool of despair and filth, and Dave D has the nerve to write that garbage???
Plus, these jackanapes keep pretending like Lebron, or any other FA, would be living in the city of Newark, instead of a)in NYC itself or one of NJ’s several wealthy communities.
Dave D’s been on a roll since his xenophobic rant about Prokhy a few weeks back. For a guy that looks like he spends his evenings sleeping on cots at the homeless shelter, he should take it easy with all of these pot shots.
"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."
by MrDollarBills on Jun 20, 2010 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions
"the Atlantic Yards area is dump also..actually even more of a dump then Newark is. Brooklyn is a trashy place man"
the arena is being built right next to two of the most expensive neighborhoods in all of the country and far from trashy. sounds like someone is just sad to see their hometown team leave for the big time.
by Kevin.O'Hanlon on Jun 20, 2010 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions
prospect heights is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in all of the country?
where’d u get this stat?
park slope, carrol gardens
might have exaggerated on the country, but definitely the state
by Kevin.O'Hanlon on Jun 22, 2010 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions
There's a Reason...
Guys, there is a reason the franchise is doing the things they’re doing. THE MONEY IS IN BROOKLYN.. I understand that Newark might not be as bad as it’s reputation, or that Brooklyn might be in worse shape… thats not what it’s about! I know that NJ has been loyal to the team.. or have they? In each of the last 3 or 4 seasons, the Nets have ranked in the bottom 10 teams as far as attendance goes. Trust me, I would love it if the Nets could stay in jersey, where the loyal fans love the team- but it’s a business move, not where the nice environment is
we're past this point already
…what we’re talking about is the idiocy being spread about two seasons playing in Newark is the equivalent to two years burning in hell
"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."
by MrDollarBills on Jun 20, 2010 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Good lord Dave, are you the saddest man on the planet?
So Proky’s not only incredibly unintelligent about the NBA, but he’s also a Russian criminal.
You also are trying to hash up every piece of information you can find on a Devin & Avery drama, whether relevant or not.
You continue to say the Nets “lost” the lottery, when you know that’s not the way it works.
You trash the 2nd newest arena in the NBA and claim people wouldn’t want to play there because it’s in Newark. Why don’t you go ask Eli Manning, Jason Kidd, or Matt Sanchez how they feel about living here – right next to Manhattan?
This is you, sans the “I sleep outside in a cardboard box and have arguments with my alcohol bottle” look:
DAVE'S A D-BAG!
The guy writes for one of the biggest state papers, and rather than using the power of journalism and his media outlet to promote how great the state is, and it is a great state, he just repeats what everyone else says about Newark… You don’t read any new york reporter saying to LBJ, don’t come to NYC because its crowded and dirty, and on garbage nights, you will find blocks and blocks of garbage out on the curb waiting to be picked up. The guy a a D-Bag, because, in my opinion, he feels like the NETS will be a NY team in 2 years, so why should he put out any positive spins about NJ and Newark’s beautiful surrounding areas…
What else is FUNNY, is a guy like Chris Rock, who says, what are you gonna do in Cleveland, man, come to NYC, yet the guy lives in Bergen County, NJ… That’s a joke, if he loves NY so much, he should move into the city, or Forest Hills, or upstate NY, then talk about LBJ moving to NY… Again, just my opinion
To add to that
You also don’t see any New York papers still writing about how Newark is a dump. In fact, most of the “Come to NY” is totally unbranded to an NBA team and has basically been Knicks OR Nets = NYC.
Dave D would find something to complain about in a winning lottery ticket.
WE SHOULD...
all flood Dave D’s email inbox, the guy could be so helpful to the procees in the coming weeks if he spoke highly of the state of NJ… He should write an article about all the famous people who live in the state, most of which, I am sure LBJ and other free agents admire, because a lot of them are in their own way cultural icons / innovators in their respective mediums. Not to mention the huge list of professional athletes who live in the state, ranging from Yankees, Giants, Devils, Jets, etc… If the state sucked so bad, why would they all choose to live here???!!! D-Bag!!
Dave D is on the NetsDaily "...... list"
officially.
Off with his head
"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."
by MrDollarBills on Jun 20, 2010 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh, and BTW
he can also talk about how a core of Lopez, Harris, T-Will, our draft picks would make for a pretty damn talented team… plus a guy who commands respect from his players, which happens to our NEW head coach…
Mars Blackmon
Will be our mascot in Brooklyn
by Atronic on Jun 20, 2010 5:23 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Enough bashing Newark and Brooklyn
Its absurd. The team’s moving, but theres no reason for the Jersey-ites to hate on Brooklyn or vice-versa. Its not like any of the players are going to actually live in Newark or even live in Brooklyn when the team gets there. They’ll all probably live in Manhattan or some upscale gated suburban community. Point is, the team has to carefully select their players as they go along. Find out where the best players think about joining the team, and if they balk, don’t go overboard by overpaying for second-rate talent. Take some decent players and save the money for next year. Hopefully, if the team improves as expected there will be plenty of incentive to lure Carmelo to the team just as its poised to make the next big leap.
i imagine most of them will actually end up living in New Jersey
much more favorable tax laws.
I wonder if Carl Everett believes Jamie Moyer exists.
I would seriously doubt
that those who collect an NBA paycheck as a player are considering taxes of living in NYC. That is like one of us considering buying a name brand vs. no frills. Not much difference to the net worth at the end of the day.
really?
then why do you think so many stars famous for their NY ties live in NJ? Like Jay-Z, Chris Rock, and Russel and Joe (Run) Simmons?
I wonder if Carl Everett believes Jamie Moyer exists.
he did in the last 2-3 years
I don’t know if he’s sold it but I know he owned a house in saddle river recently
When asked whether his success is a sign that things have changed for race relations in America, Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Corey Carter, mentions that disparity still exists. Taking a line from neighbor Chris Rock and his stand-up bit, he points out that only four blacks (including Eddie Murphy and Mary J. Blige) live in their affluent New Jersey neighborhood – and all are superstars.
Wikipedia says he lives in Alpine now.
I wonder if Carl Everett believes Jamie Moyer exists.
well if i was worth 600 million+
i’d probably buy quite a few homes myself. and put gold toilet seats in all of them.
I wonder if Carl Everett believes Jamie Moyer exists.
Kanye West.....
Alex Rodriguez, and Eli Manning all own apartments in Hoboken as well….we can keep going with this all day. The thing i don’t get is why does Dave D, who has been a good beat until of late, would rip NJ for an NJ Newspaper?
I love DD, but...
If he keeps making all these snarky comments directed at ownership, I think Proky’s gonna show up at his door, asking if he would like to take a ride, in the trunk of his limo…
you mean this one...
which, I am told, some in Moscow think is hilarious…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k06egpUimVY&feature=player_embedded
The thing that bothers me the most these days in the NBA, out of allll the other issues, is the fact that some places aren’t viewed as desirable places to play. It really hurts the NBA. First with Yi and threatening Milwaukee, then with Rubio not going to the Wolves, now everyone dumping on Jersey. At this rate we might as well just have a 6 team league.
(I give credit to Yi for actually going through with it, but the conversation was there – but I cant stand that little Rubio punk)
yeah its kind of laughable
I don’t recall any NFL players refusing to play for the vikings or greenbay. or MLB players refusing to play for the brewers, and there’s way more foreign MLB players than in the NBA who have to make the adjustment.
I wonder if Carl Everett believes Jamie Moyer exists.
Izod to newark
People used to same thing about IZOD anf they were right because the arena was a dump. But I personally think moving to newark is huge because its a very nice and new arena. No player was going to like playing in izod but the rock is a good arena to play in people are dissing it just because the city has a bad rep. Last time I check LA was rioting because the lakers won again and NYC etc. all have bad crime rates too.
Dave D has an outdated notion of NBA brand marketing
It really doesn’t matter where LeBron plays in America as long as he has Yi helping him open marketing opportunities in China, which is where the real money is. This is what CNBC already explained. Newark + all of China is MUCH more prodigious and advantageous for LeBron’s brand opportunities than NYC without China.
I don't get the Newark bashing
Since when does a player have to live next to the stadium?
If LeBron went to the Knicks he’d probably live in NJ anyway, this NJ and Newark bashing is stupid.
He is just mad because
he is no longer the inside man. He no longer will have the inside guy when they move. He is full of it and I refuse to give his thoughts the time of day.
I AGREE...
but it wouldn’t hurt if the guy would write something positive as to why NJ is a great place, and Newark is temp and that its one of the nicest new arenas… And highlight how some of the most beautiful townships in the USA are in NJ, where a ton of celebrities already live!!
Double D Rawks!
I’m not seeing where D’Alassandro is ripping Newark. He’s saying that he doesn’t think Lebron can bring himself to play there for 2 seasons. That’s a fair statement.
The Nets themselves don’t want to be there and are only going b/c of all of the previous delays to Brooklyn and current conditions in and out of (including the half built indoor ski jump looming in front of the building) Izod.
Let’s not forget that most “Newark bashing” comes from NJ itself. NJ fought tooth and nail against a Newark arena and only AFTER Ratner bought the Nets did the Devils get the final i’s dotted and t’s crossed to build an arena there. By “NJ” I mean every Garden State politico not named Sharpe James. Everyone from Republican state reps in Bergen and South Jersey, to Democratic Governor McGreevey, to even Corey Booker back when he was a city councilmember. All fought against a Newark arena for 6 years, which coincidentally is the same amount of time that Daniel Goldstein fought against a Brooklyn arena.
Let’s also not forget that until the Corey Booker-lead recent crime drop, Newark often had murder rates 5 or 6 times greater than that of NYC: http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0004902.html
Of course the players won’t be living in Newark or Brooklyn, the same way most Knick players don’t live in Manhattan but there is a cache about playing on 33rd Street or even in Brooklyn that Newark simply can’t compete with. It’s not at all unfair to state that or wonder whether Lebron would want to take his brand there for two seasons.
I hope Lebron does but let’s not jump on Double D for pointing out the obvious drawbacks to playing in a temporary home that no one wanted built to begin with and is still not considered the coolest of locales.
What you're saying
has merit, but the point is, Double D, as you call him, can also write about the things you just yourself pointed out, which is exactly what I’ve been saying, specifically, HEY LBJ… Playing in Newark, isn’t as bad as all these other teams are leading you to believe, the Rock is one of the newer buildings in the league, and if living in NJ was so bad, why do the following people live here, and start pointing all the mega celebs who do live in the state or own a house in the state… Because as I have also mentioned, NJ consistantly has had 4 to 5 townships, several of which are in Bergen County that are rated in the top 10 – 20 places to live in the whole country….
A story like that can’t hurt, may not help, but certainly can’t hurt…. Plus, that’s just what the state offers, then you can start talking about what the NETS offer in several promising young players that when paired with LBJ, can go far and fast!!!
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