David Stern laid out what he thinks will be a "spectacular rivalry" between the Nets and Knicks once the Barclays Center opens in eight months. In his "State of the NBA" press conference at the All-Star Game, here's what Stern said when asked about progress at the Brooklyn arena.
We are very happy for Bruce Ratner and Mikhail Prokhorov. Not only has this building risen from the ground but it's going to be all indoors completely pretty soon. it is on time and its opening. it is great for the Knicks. We are going to have a spectacular rivalry. It will be great for the fans in New York City and the NBA to have that kind of a rivalry, in that kind of a new building. when you think about the new Barclays center, the transformed Madison Square Garden, the Amway Center and the array of arenas that are just world class palaces, its great for the New York area. but it also great for the NBA and the fans of the NBA. We're looking forward to seeing it.
We briefed the relocation committee on it in April. We expect to have a full fledged presentation from the Nets on what's going on with this arena which is very good because we're close to it at the league offices. We've been watching it. Adam even went out there in his wingtips to walk through the mud.
Stern did not say when the Nets will be making their presentation. The league's board of governors must approve the move, even it's only 11 miles.
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Stern hypes NYC rivalry - Fred Kerber & Marc Berman - New York Post