Tracy Collins is Brooklyn photographer who's chronicled the critics' fight to stop Atlantic Yards and Barclays Center. In recent days, he has posted a graphical timeline of the 3,000-plus days between announcement and opening night.
The Islanders are in the playoffs this season for the first time in six years (sound familiar?). They're moving to Brooklyn (sound familiar?) And Brett Yormark will be handling their marketing! (really familiar!) There will be more.
"It's the fourth quarter," the deep baritone cascades down from the speakers above. David Diamante is standing, his face on the big screen hanging above center court. It's time to stand up and cheer, now a ritual at Nets home games.
In an extensive interview with a Russian business magazine, Irina Pavlova says that while the Nets aren't making money (yet), the value of the team is now between $700 and $800 million, up from the $220 million Mikhail Prokhorov laid out in 2010.
Sports Business Journal reports that the Nets' 23.1 percent increase in attendance this season led the NBA, far outpacing the Houston Rockets, at 8.5 percent and the Pacers and Raptors, who were up 7.8 percent each.
Restaurants are starting to spring up around Barclays Center. The big addition is likely to be Brooklyn SkyBox.across from the arena on Flatbush. Tony Roma's is opening up on Atlantic Avenue as well.
The NBA and Nets have announced that the NBA Draft will be held June 27 at Barclays Center (and sponsored by State Farm). The 2011 and 2012 drafts were held at Prudential Center, following a decade at Madison Square Garden.
As part of its Section 15 coverage, the New York Times features Jerome Dixon who regularly works the section at the east end of the arena. Dixon talks about his training, responsibilities and experiences as an usher. "I work for the guests." he says.
In her most affecting interview in the "In Bounds" series, Alyonka Larionov talks to Tyshawn Taylor mostly about his family and how although he was "born to lose," he's "won already," with his degree from Kansas and NBA career.
When the Nets played in their first playoff series in years in 2002, the league had to take over the pre-game and half-time festivities. The Nets own promotions were replaced. Not enough hoopla. No need to worry about that with Brett Yormark.
