Known for Hexing Opposing Players As They Shoot Free Throws, Bruce Reznick Has Become A Notable Fixture At Nets Games
If you have seen the New Jersey Nets play in the last decade, you know Bruce Reznick.
Maybe not by name and probably not by profession -the Brooklyn native,who tumed 73 on Feb. 1, works as a lawyer in the borough of his birth.
But almost definitely you know him by visage.
For 12 seasons, Reznick has posted up eight rows deep in section 8 of the IZOD Center, hair brushed back, thick-framed glasses resting upon wizened features and one of 30-odd turtlenecks snugly fitted over his lithe frame.
Despite Reznick's affinity for other colors— never wears red outside of the arena -the origin of the turtleneck tradition can't be pinpointed.
"I wish I knew that," Reznick laments. "There was a reason, but I've been doing it so long I don't remember the reason anymore. I think it was that I wanted to see the team on fire. I guess that was my basic idea: if I wear the red shirt, then the team will be on fire."
But Reznick is too active a fan to settle for mere clothing-instigated inspiration. He often rises out of his seat, roaming into the center aisle to hex opposing foul shooters.
Arms in the air, Reznick crosses each thumb across the closed middle and ring fingers, having the pointer and pinky extended. As the shooter begins his routine, Reznick repeatedly forward his elbows and wrists in sync as if to drop what he calls a "whammy" into the player’s aura.
He takes his hexing seriously, claiming a single-game record of 18 missed free throws and loaning a recent run of poor results.
"I think that was something I did as a kid," Reznick said."Everyone's got a whammy, and it was a way to make them miss shots."
During his youth, Reznick was rooting against opponents of his hometown New York Knicks -when he wasn't playing pickup at P.S. 215. Reznick, who played three hours a day during his teens, proudly recollects his once-sharp basketball abilities, calling a running hook from the right side his go-to move.
But the reluctant student faced a crossroads as college approached: concentrate on ball or the books. Reznick's father figured out a way to guarantee his 5-foot-7 son's focus: "He took me to an orthopedist, who took a fluo-roscope so they could see my bones," Reznick said."He told my father, ‘He's only going to be 5-9.'And my father said, 'You're studying.'"
After graduating magna cum laude from Miami, and cum laude from Miami Law, Reznick returned to New York City, where he earned a Masters of Laws degree from NYU. He's been prac¬ticing in Brooklyn ever since.
A friend with half-season Nets tickets was looking for a partner to lock down a row in New Jersey, and Reznick jumped in, realizing he would never get eighth-row seats at Madison Square Garden.
He started with a pair, jumped to four the next year as they expanded the plan to a full package and claimed six full-season tickets in year three as his friend bowed out
Reznick has attended every home game since, usually accompanied by his wife, Judith, and either clients he’s rewarding or any of his three grown chidren and their families. He loves Vince Carter's grace. Kenyon Martin's spirit and believes Jason Kidd to be "the greatest star we've ever had'-because Dr. J played on Long Island.
But most importantly, Bruce Reznick has faith in home-court advantage--and his whamrny during games.
"The fans are the sixth man on the team," Reznick says.That's what everybody says and that's what I believe. I wanted to make sure that we would win the games. If I can distract those players, if they look at me if they just glance at me, they’re finished. I just have to get their attention.*