Brooklyn Pol Stokes Nets vs. Knicks Who He Calls "Manhattan Knicks"

Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn borough president, was the first to suggest to Bruce Ratner that he buy the Nets and bring them to a new arena in Brooklyn...or so the story goes. And no politician has been as resolute in trying to get the arena and the larger Atlantic Yards project moving than Markowitz.

Now, Markowitz is trying to stoke the rivalry between the "Brooklyn Nets" (although the name is not yet official) and the "Manhattan Knicks". Calling the arena construction "A beautiful sight, a beautiful sight," Markowitz launched into a Brooklyn-centric riff Monday on NY1.

"The Manhattan Knicks are so nervous, you notice, they went out and bought the best players they could. Why didn't they do this in previous years?" he asked, then answered: "Here's the answer: they're worried about losing a fan base to a Brooklyn team. That's what it's all about. There's no question about it. And also, the competition that will go on between Madison Square Garden and the Barclays Center. So they're doing a smart marketing thing, but we're going to show 'em."

• Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz On "Inside City Hall" (Video @ 8:26) - Errol Louis - NY1