Brook Lopez appreciates Fan Appreciation Night

They came with posters and banners and a giant Brook Lopez head, letters that read out "A-L-L S-T-A-R" and a lot of enthusiasm. The NetsDaily "Loud and Proud" sections, organized once again by GothamGooner, did their best to show the Nets center he was (and is) deserving of an All-Star selection. And he appreciated it, big time.

"It was awesome!" he told reporters after the game. In particular he loved the "giant head" Nets fan ("one ugly mug"). Lopez admitted, somewhat sheepishly, that he had heard the "Lopez All-Star" chant and at one point seemed to acknowledge them from the bench.

"I'm just thankful we have support like that," he told reporters. "We have great fans and they continue to support us night in and night out. I'm glad they're here for our guys."

Several times, "Broook-lynnn" chants emerged from sections 16 and 31 (strategically placed for stereophonic sound) and several times YES cameras focused on the "Loud and Proud," the final time Ian Eagle noting how great the group (and their favorite website) have been. Alyonka Larianov interviewed GothamGooner and is preparing a piece for BCTV.

Irina Pavlova, president of Mikhail Prokhorov's ONEXIM Sports and Entertainment, once again was ready to help. She organized the YES and BCTV welcome for the fans ... and most crucially, helped GothamGooner get the "giant head" past security.

She called it "a very special night ... It was really heartwarming to see such an elaborate and genuine grassroots effort! To me that's what real fandom is about!! It sent shivers down my spine."

• Lopez discusses Monday's win over the Magic (Video) - YES Network
• Stars aligning for story-Brook end - Tim Bontemps - New York Post