The Nets announced a name for their Brooklyn Arena, so I figured why the hell not write an article. It's HOVAH!
The Nets are inching closer to their new home at the Barclays’ Center in Downtown Brooklyn, as each political hurdle gets bypassed before the grand opening in the 2009-10 season. The new arena, located on Flatbush and Atlantic Avenues will be state of the art, designed by architect Frank Gehry to be a sporting and entertainment marvel. While there is no doubt the new arena will be a draw, it remains to be seen if Brooklynites will take to the Nets as they did with the Dodgers over a half century ago.
New York City will always be a Knick town no matter what, whether they’re playing well or in a state of mediocrity like they’re currently in. Brooklyn has always been a Knick fan’s haven, magnified by the fact Coney Island’s own Stephon Marbury is the face of the franchise. Can the Nets cut into the Knick fan base in Brooklyn? The opinion here is yes
Winning basketball is what all New York basketball fans care about. If you win, they will come. There’s no question that the roster will be altered before 2009. While the Nets have been mired in a malaise this season, they still have as much talent as anyone in the Eastern Conference. Richard Jefferson is under contract for the 2009 season and Nets President Rod Thorn has a track record for being an astute and shrewd basketball executive. Thorn is the guy who made the decision to draft Michael Jordan when he was in the Bulls front office, traded Marbury for Jason Kidd, a move that changed the direction of the Nets franchise, made a draft day trade to get Jefferson and absolutely stole Vince Carter from the Raptors. Thorn’s 2006 picks in the draft have all made some positive contributions this season. Marcus Williams is the heir apparent to Kidd at point guard and has shown basketball intelligence beyond his years. Hassan Adams looks like a steal so far in the second round. Finally, Josh Boone’s ability as a big man is valuable, especially since Nenad Kristic’s season ending injury.
With winning comes support and unlike the Meadowlands, which is located in the middle of the swamplands of New Jersey, people will show up for 41 home games a season, especially here in Brooklyn. There is something special about Brooklyn, a certain magic that no other borough in the city or place in the world has. While there is no doubt it will be hard for those die hard Knicks fans to switch allegiances, it’s safe to say that future generations of Brooklyn basketball fans will get behind the team.
This would create a true rivalry between the Knicks and Nets, especially if both teams are good. The Nets would no longer be away in some distant hole in the ground in New Jersey; they would be right on the Knicks doorstep, perhaps even stealing some of the headlines of their cross-town rivals. Would it be as intense as a Mets-Yankees rivalry or Rangers-Islanders? It’s hard to say. But it will be interesting to find out.
The Nets announced a name for their Brooklyn Arena, so I figured why the hell not write an article. It's HOVAH!
4 comments:
Nice article, playa. But...
- "they’re playing well or in a state of mediocrity like they’re currently in."
I'll argue that. Is it mediocrity if everybody else is mediocre? The whole division and most of the East is under .500, so wouldn't the Knicks be one of the elite sucky teams? Hey, the least challenged kid in special-ed is relatively smart, compared to his competition. That said, the Knicks are pretty damn good. Stop hatin'!
- "Coney Island’s own Stephon Marbury is the face of the franchise"
Nope. It's E-City's team now. That's the nickname they've given to Eddy, who might be the most physically imposing force in the paint right now (right now Shaq is injured and has probably gained 40 pounds). And ya'll ripped Isiah for the trade. What's LaMarcus Alridge going right now? Eddy's such a stud, women get pregnant when he walks by them.
"Hassan Adams looks like a steal so far in the second round."
- Rod Thorn gets no credit for that steal. I found him first! I've been a fan of his since the 2002 (?) McDonald's All-America high school dunk contest. When he was doing the Harlem Shake before dunks. Just like a liked David Lee after he won it in 2001.
- "There is something special about Brooklyn, a certain magic that no other borough in the city or place in the world has."
The only magic in Brooklyn is them street hustlers who scam people out of $5 on those "guess which box the ball is under" tricks. It's a proven fact that the Bronx is the best and most important borough. Say it ain't so. Manhattan ranks ahead of BK, too.
Remind me to remember what you said here when we pass those bandanna wearing guys by the junction. "Hey yo, this guy says Brooklyn is worst than the Bronx and Manhattan." To quote Bobby Bo "They'll show you Brooklyn."
If good means third in the woeful Atlantic Division, then yes. If good means they're the 10th best team in the worst conference in the history of man, then no. Let me restate. NINE OTHER TEAMS ARE BETTER THAN THEM. IN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE. So yes. They still suck. Eddy is that imposing man on the team that still loses.
And I'm sure Rod will give you due credit for your analysis...after he goes to sleep on the pile of money he has.
Not for nothing, but besides Yankee Stadium, there ain't nothing in the Bronx.
The Knicks have improved though since the beginning of the season, and the young players (Curry, Lee, Frye,) and the veterans (Richardson, Marbury) have all played much better this year, than at any point last year under Brown.
Are they good? No. But they aren't the laughingstock they were last year, and at least this year, if the Knicks come to play, they can beat any team except the elite out West (Utah, Detroit, and Chicago, have all fallen to the Knicks, with Washington and Cleveland barely escaping with wins?.
Since nobody was expecting a championship this year, the progress made by the players give the Knicks some hope for the future. They should be able to make the playoffs next year, and still have a very strong chance of making the playoffs this year.
Tell him, Gator!
"Remind me to remember what you said here when we pass those bandana wearing guys by the junction."
I got a bandana, too. Who's scared? Boogie Down don't come soft, homie.
I didn't realize so many teams in the East weren't THAT bad. But dammit, the Knicks have talent. As I was telling Jeff tonight, "Isiah is like your mom when you were 8. It's not about winning or losing, it's about having fun and learning life lessons." And the Knicks are doing that. You see the smiles, and they're learning and getting better. For now, that's what matters. Being real: FOR NOW, that is something.
Quite a few GMs owe me money. You know, especially when it comes to football, I'm the dude who spots the sleepers from early. I deserve $400,000 from Accorsi on Brandon Jacobs alone. And if he'd listened to me more often, the team would be much better.
Ain't nothing in the Bronx? There's me. I'm an attraction in the Bronx. Take that 4 train up a few more stops to the northwest. I could give you a tour of Fieldston in Riverdale, n' let you see how them rich folk be livin'. I've seen Tracy Morgan a bunch of times. Drives a green Jaguar and he never acknowledges people calling to him. Take you through Van Cortlandt Park (in the most heterosexual way possible). Does Brooklyn have a park like that? And from my block you're like 15 minutes from Westchester. Hop on a 1 train and let you see the Dyckman through 225th area. Duck bullets while checking out the ladies. (1) It'll improve your reflexes. (2) Because BX women are hotter. FACT! Then head out to City Island. You'll see some peaceful looking suburban areas you'd think only existed upstate. Co-Op City.
What's in Brooklyn? Coney Island and Junior's cheesecake.
Post a Comment