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After years of holding their open practices at Ramapo College, during the New Jersey era, then at Barclays Center, at the beginning of the Brooklyn era, the Nets the last couple of years have moved the annual fan event really out into the open at Brooklyn Bridge Park.
So “Practice in the Park” on Saturday took advantage of spectacular views and an array of courts where the team could show off their skills while fans can either watch a simulated practice or try to emulate their favorites.
There was a band, face-painting, dancers, autograph signings, access to players ... and staff up to and including Sean Marks, contests of all kinds ... right in the shadow of the city. A very New York, very Brooklyn kind of experience.
As Joe Harris said, “We’re trying to be as involved in the Brooklyn community as possible. That’s been a focal point from the moment that Sean Marks and Kenny Atkinson got here.”
Indeed, just as the Brooklyn Dodgers of the 1950’s —”The Boys of Summer”— lived, worked and played in the borough, so do the Brooklyn Nets.
Here’s a sampling of what went on Saturday, from the Twitter accounts of the Nets, Barclays Center, YES Network and both fans and players (even an agent!) So whether you were there or not, Enjoy...
We really do have the best fans in the world #PracticeInThePark | #WeGoHard pic.twitter.com/1N7VkN5A05
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) October 6, 2018
The Brooklyn Nets held practice at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Joe Harris said, "We're trying to be as involved in the Brooklyn community as possible. That's been a focal point from the moment that Sean Marks and Kenny Atkinson got here." pic.twitter.com/HEztaJLkVj
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) October 6, 2018
Sup fam @BrooklynNets #PracticeInThePark #WeGoHard pic.twitter.com/cQPf0A53CL
— Barclays Center (@barclayscenter) October 6, 2018
Family #PracticeInThePark pic.twitter.com/kolQrPGTC0
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) October 6, 2018
With the man behind the plan #PracticeInThePark pic.twitter.com/rzPhp65Jaz
— Zac Cullen (@ZCullen8) October 6, 2018
You don’t know who you might run into at #PracticeInThePark... pic.twitter.com/FZ7zSLRpKR
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) October 6, 2018
Pretty cool experience at the @BrooklynNets #openpractice earlier pic.twitter.com/r060fTjrF5
— jg (@jgloading16) October 7, 2018
@BrooklynNets @IAmCHAP24 #PracticeInThePark Awesome Day My nephew got to meet 2 of his favorite people, ESPECIALLY RHJ who sign his Jersey (Thank you) guys so much he can’t stop talking about Coach Kenny. You know he’s back on 2K19 play RHJ the full 48 with 20/29 from 3. pic.twitter.com/qpCFGKwwoQ
— Stephen jack (@assetsoftherich) October 6, 2018
We’ve got ourselves a future Net. #PracticeInThePark #WeGoHard@BrooklynNets pic.twitter.com/oW0AolTITC
— Barclays Center (@barclayscenter) October 6, 2018
WE OUT HERE BROOKLYN. #PracticeInThePark #WeGoHard@BrooklynNets pic.twitter.com/xUt9Pr9aSD
— Barclays Center (@barclayscenter) October 6, 2018
Practice in the Park with the @BrooklynNets! https://t.co/7JbcUu3zYd
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) October 6, 2018
KERRY KITTLES#PracticeInThePark #NETSonYES pic.twitter.com/dpcspTY1tL
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) October 6, 2018
How about @Dloading’s shoe game?#PracticeInThePark #NETSonYES pic.twitter.com/4G4sVHeUkt
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) October 6, 2018
For Caris LeVert, it's a blessing to be able to play in Brooklyn.#PracticeInThePark #NETSonYES pic.twitter.com/8AnLoJC6O6
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) October 6, 2018
Red Sox or Yankees? @ShabazzNapier checks in. #PracticeInThePark #NETSonYES pic.twitter.com/rYLKK1ybXr
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) October 6, 2018
Mr. Albert King .. Brooklyn hoops legend !! And one of my very favorite human beings #Nets pic.twitter.com/RCLa6qb0mA
— sarah kustok (@sarahkustok) October 6, 2018
Saturday in the Park #BrooklynNets pic.twitter.com/ua0GyrCIbs
— sarah kustok (@sarahkustok) October 6, 2018
it’s cool that the nets do a practice at brooklyn bridge park pic.twitter.com/2TBTINAVUn
— James Herbert (@outsidethenba) October 6, 2018
#PracticeInThePark with @dbearak hosting Tammy from South Africa, Lara from Germany and Lieke from Netherlands! #nets #brooklynnets pic.twitter.com/x6ZcBGPc3E
— SportsHosts (@SportsHosts) October 6, 2018
.@RODIONS1 vs. @JaredDudley619 in the Knockout finals.
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) October 6, 2018
Rook vs. Vet: Part 1
Who emerged victorious? (FYI: It took so long, we couldn’t fit it in one video) pic.twitter.com/sD7w25b2hS
.@RODIONS1 vs. @JaredDudley619: Part 2 pic.twitter.com/7SwyxiXCg5
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) October 6, 2018
.@BrooklynNets open practice! Nice view pic.twitter.com/nit5oWCasE
— ArtūrsKalnītis (@ArtursKalnitis) October 6, 2018
.@nuniomot21: 2018 Rookie Dance-Off Champ pic.twitter.com/nmM0Ls8VUX
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) October 6, 2018
.@IAmCHAP24 and @allencrabbe breaking out the pic.twitter.com/63AFNUzBCu
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) October 6, 2018
@BrooklynNets @BrooklynBrigade @FlatbushAndAtl Made his day! Thank You @SDinwiddie_25 !! pic.twitter.com/CqogMIljXm
— Jose cruz (@Jengabcel) October 6, 2018
@BrooklynNets @BrooklynBrigade @FlatbushAndAtl hoping to see his favorite #nets @SDinwiddie_25 ! pic.twitter.com/6xlNb8eCED
— Jose cruz (@Jengabcel) October 6, 2018
sup @CarisLeVert @eddavisXVII pic.twitter.com/ePzS7gRmr7
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) October 6, 2018
SQUAD.#WeGoHard #PracticeInThePark pic.twitter.com/0YZkSSbDha
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) October 6, 2018
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) October 6, 2018
@Brooklynettes pic.twitter.com/kZsZfv1rNF
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) October 6, 2018
WHAT DO YOU EVEN CALL THIS?! (via jordansoutherland25/IG) pic.twitter.com/DCUxq0mvbP
— Overtime (@overtime) October 6, 2018
Basketball Academy underway! #PracticeInThePark pic.twitter.com/u3CovVYPyE
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) October 6, 2018
Back home pic.twitter.com/4pfC3Bxgdd
— Mike Vazquez (@mikepvazquez) October 6, 2018
Team Hype pic.twitter.com/P05GkdvKuy
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) October 6, 2018
#TheBlock #PracticeInThePark #NetsNation pic.twitter.com/ClSzX3ZLQj
— NetsRepublic.com (@NetsRepublic) October 6, 2018
Face paint #PracticeInThePark pic.twitter.com/CptFeAY1bW
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) October 6, 2018
What an Awesome time it was with my Dad at the @BrooklynNets Practice in the Park. It was ones of the coolest exeriences I ever had! pic.twitter.com/oXURWCvg7V
— Ryebread (@RyTurok) October 6, 2018
@allencrabbe @_bigjayy_ @JoeyBuckets3 it was awesome meeting you guys today! Thanks for the autographs !! @BrooklynNets #PracticeInThePark pic.twitter.com/4QpMkzEiPy
— Ryebread (@RyTurok) October 6, 2018
Doors open! #PracticeInThePark pic.twitter.com/T1WLGSXlif
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) October 6, 2018
Congrats to the Nets and the city parks department for a wonderful day.
- Practice in the Park with the @BrooklynNets! (Video) - YES Network
- Nets try second annual ‘Practice in the Park’ to ingratiate Brooklyn fans - Brian Heymann - Newsday
- Sweet-shooting Net knows he can’t be one-dimensional player - Brian Lewis - New York Post
- Nets hold practice in the park for the second time - Greg Thompson - News 12 Brooklyn