Borough vs. Borough: Brooklyn Nets Pulling Away From Knickerbockers

From the desks of:

THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH  and  DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

An Under-Spoken Inner City Rivalry of Attrition

DID JAMES DOLAN JUST BLINK?

Rewind back to 2004 if you will: Bruce Ratner purchases the New Jersey Nets with the intention of relocating them to Brooklyn.  It's no secret that his underlying business interest involves a more grandiose real estate development in the downtown area.  A Kings County native, Ratner's ploy nevertheless threatens James Dolan's monopoly on New York City's arena sports, entertainment, and events venues.

As expected, his plan for constructing a new arena along Flatbush Avenue at Atlantic Avenue is met with great resistance.  And with Ratner bogged down in court, Dolan is able to devote time and resources towards successfully thwarting another more immediate threat posed in 2005 by the New York Jets and a proposed new football stadium to be constructed atop Manhattan's west side rail yards.  However, his victory over the Jets and NYC's politico is short lived.  On March, 11, 2010, groundbreaking ceremonies for Barclays Center finally take place in Brooklyn, thus finally making it official: direct inner-city competition will soon be arriving at Dolan's door step.  Only this time, there's nothing he can do to prevent it.

Enter (new Nets majority owner) Russian tycoon Mikhail Prokhorov who later that summer launches the first salvo in what becomes known as the Billboard Wars when he commissions a building-side mural along Eighth Avenue, just a few blocks away from Madison Square Garden.  Jim Dolan strikes back with a rather clever purchase of billboard space located within the footprint of Ratner's Atlantic Yards construction site.  After which, Nets signage begins fanning throughout the borough, while the Knicks keep their reactive marketing focused along Flatbush Avenue.  By year's end, though, the Knicks pull out of the billboard business.

Hostilities ratchet up again in February of 2011, upon outbreak of the now infamous Battle for Carmelo Anthony.  With Melo desperately wanting out of Denver (Nuggets), he is a handshake away from being traded to the New Jersey Nets, that is until Jim Dolan catches wind and launches himself headlong into the Melo sweepstakes like a bull in a china shop.  He shamelessly tramples over both general manager Donnie Walsh and head coach Mike D'Antoni en-route to securing one of the league's perennial scoring threats - a veritable coup, or so Dolan thought.  To his dismay, the next morning's tabloids as their lead story run with the Nets surprising acquisition under the cover of night of well regarded point guard Deron Williams from the Utah Jazz.  By daybreak, a squabbling media is raging in debate as to which team secured the better deal.

By the 2012-2013 season, Barclays Center is open for business, while Dolan's billion dollar renovation of Madison Square Garden is likewise near complete.  Over the course of the next several seasons, neither acquisition works out to either team's great satisfaction.  In 2012-13, Carmelo Anthony leads the Knicks to an Atlantic Division title, but they've failed to qualify for the playoffs since.  The Knicks averaged just 34.2 wins during Melo's five seasons in New York, and just 33.3 wins in the six years prior to David Fizdale's arrival.  Although the Nets make three straight playoff appearances in their first three season at Brooklyn, they experience a precipitous fall as well.  In 2015, the Nets buy out the remainder of Deron William's contract, and by 2017 the Knicks trade Carmelo Anthony to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Williams/Melo era ends with a whimper; the next reconstruction period begins.

By 2016-2017, the Nets are first to acknowledge their failure and recommit themselves to a grassroots rebuild.  They hire Sean Marks as new general manager who in turn hires Kenny Atkinson as head coach.  Together, their sticktoitiveness has been nothing short of commendable.  The Knicks on the other hand are slower to recognize their blight, and perhaps are more stubborn as well.  And there's the rub ... I still don't know what the Knicks are up to.  I'm no fan of Sam Mills.  I view him as nothing more than Dolan's lone remaining friend in the building.  I'm not so sure Scott Perry is the answer either.  I agree, however, David Fizdale is part of the solution.  But when looking at the bigger picture, the Knicks are clearly lagging behind the Nets, and losing ground by the day.

Lest we forget this is about direct competition.  The Nets are the invaders, and Jim Dolan was made to respond.  To date, he's matched them move for move.  But does anyone besides me find it rather ponderous that Dolan would choose the holiday season for (Ian O'Connor interview) throwing himself a pity party?  Is that a touch of defeatism I hear?  Is it because Brooklyn's plan is working, while his own basketball organization continues marinating in its own futility?

Why else would he knowingly cause ripples in the news pool with talk of an unlikely sale of the Knicks?

Brooklyn Nets: Winds Of Change Keep Blowing Down Flatbush

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

2014-2015

YEAR  THREE

BROOKLYN NETS: Year Three Poised To Be Team's Most Uncertain Yet.

I smell a rat, but for as long as Bruce Ratner completes Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park (like he promised the people of Brooklyn), the phone call for Pest Control will remain on hold.

THAT is the top story if this upcoming season set to commence this Wednesday - not the team.

Ratner, a native Brooklynite, endured ten long years of litigation, ultimately bought the Nets, built Barclays Center, and moved the team to Kings County.

Of course, we knew that was only (a hook) part of his more grandiose plans for developing the LIRR yards along Flatbush Ave./Atlantic Avenue/Pacific Street.   Locally, the contentious way Ratner went about securing the property for his proposed Atlantic Yards (through city backed eminent domain) was the main issue of protest.

Fast forward to 2010 - The NBA ratified Ratner's sale of majority stake in the Nets to Mikhail Prokhorov, as well as 45% interest in Barclays Center.

Fast forward again: the first residential complex after Barclays Center finally got started at the corner of Flatbush and Dean Street, and, and..., now Bruce Ratner again wants to sell his remaining stake in Barclays Center.

All I know, is that he has a lot more building to do.  I don't care if the development is ultimately named Atlantic Yards or Pacific Park.  Just get it done.

And what of the majority Nets owner?  It turns out Mikhail Prokhorov isn't such a sure thing either.   The Russian billionaire owns 80% of the Nets.  Apparently, a portion of his stake has been under negotiation, although he would maintain controlling interest of the team.

Yes, the team....

We last left them post Game 5 elimination from the Eastern Conference semi's against the Heat.

Since then, Andray Blatche ran off to play in China, former coach Jason Kidd exiled himself to Milwaukee, and Paul "The Truth" Pierce denounced Brooklyn on his way to D.C.

Thanks for the memories guys.

Now for the recurring nightmare:

First and foremost, the Brooklyn Nets suffer Ankle Anxiety.  This occurs when the team's point guard and top paid player (Deron Williams), and the team's top scorer (Brook Lopez), continually miss games, or play ineffectively due to recurring ankle/foot injuries.

Let's speak truth; to date Deron Williams has not been the elite franchise player the Nets anticipated. And while already burdened with carrying the weight of the organization, he must now attempt to do so on two surgically repaired ankles.

Brook Lopez' situation is even more distressing.  He missed nearly all of 2 of the last 3 seasons with recurring foot injuries.  More so than even Deron Williams, Brook's presence on the court, or absence, factors most in Nets success, or lack thereof.  He also effectively dictates what style of play the Nets utilize.

Brook Lopez' status for Wednesday's season opener in Boston is now questionable.  Coach Hollins says he'll play.  Nevertheless, the Nets open the 2014-15 campaign with front court issues.

Leading the Nets will be new head coach Lionel Hollins.  He took over for Jason Kidd, who was by far Billy King's most curious venture, as Kidd turned on King by biting the hand that fed him his first NBA job.

Billy King will be hard pressed to live that down if his club falters badly this season.  Every GM is entitled to one pet project - much less two.  Lionel Hollins isn't exactly a slam dunk.  Billy King gave him a 4-year contract based primarily on his work for the Grizzlies and to a much lesser extent, his work with the Bucks.  That's not an overwhelming resume.

One must also keep in mind that Kidd took over for P.J. Carlesimo, who took over for Avery Johnson, meaning Billy King and the Nets have yet to begin their 3rd season in Brooklyn, but are now on their 4th head coach.

After last season's gross expenditure, and 2nd round elimination, I think it safe to say Billy King begins the season on the hot seat.

Now the conversation about the 2014-2015 Brooklyn Nets can start.



Mike

Brooklyn Nets: Flagpole From Ebbets Rededicated At Barclays Center

From the desk of:   THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

BROOKLYN  NETS: The Flagpole Of Flatbush


I had a chance to ask Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz what the chances were that a blue line could be painted downtown along Court Street to signify and pay tribute to the Brooklyn Dodgers 1955 victory parade route.  He said, "No, no way."  He pondered the question for another second.  I understood then there were very real reasons why that would never happen.  But the Borough President finished his response by telling me, "...that is over.  The Dodgers are done here.  This (the Brooklyn Nets) ends that."  It was hard to argue with that reasoning.  Then I thought perhaps I didn't really want to know the real reason.  Responding in fan-speak was perhaps the best way he could have answered.


I met the Borough President today because the old Ebbets Field flagpole was rededicated and given new life at Barclay Center.  While the flagpole has been in place since the arena opened last month, this afternoon a plaque affixed to the base was unveiled.

(left to right) Nets CEO Brett Yormark; Jerry Stackhouse;

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz; Sharon Robinson; Bruce Ratner.

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the background.  This was the flagpole perched atop the scoreboard along Bedford Avenue.  I can speak for a VFW post once owning it.  The casket company is a little fuzzy to me.  When the Veterans vacated the property, the location on Utica Avenue became a church.  And so, the flagpole became the property of the pastor.  There it stayed for many many years on a side wall, not quite in front.  Most of the neighborhood residents were aware of it.  My baseball teams utilized indoor batting cages on the same block.  That's how I became aware of the flagpole.  After seeing it so often as a younger boy, I returned a few years ago to take a picture.  However, I arrived two weeks too late.  The businessman next door told me a flatbed truck came by and took it away.  The pastor sold it.  No one ever found out where it was taken.  I heard a rumor someone from Long Island purchased it.  On a side note, I've read some of the media's background stories, and I'm not sure who they're talking to.  Anyway.....


As part of this afternoon's presentation, Borough President Marty Markowitz clarified the matter.  Apparently, when he became aware of the flagpole's availability, in 2007 he suggested Bruce Ratner purchase it - which he did.  The Borough President also related to me later during our personal exchange, that it came at a rather high price.  Let's just say the pastor did very well in the transaction.  I do not mean to paint the wrong picture.  Truth be told, the church was struggling financially, and the flagpole was an asset.  Five years later, the flagpole thankfully has a new home in Brooklyn again.

 

 

 

 

The daughter of the late Jackie Robinson, Sharon Robinson, was also on hand for today's dedication.  And in meeting her, I freely admit I was a little overwhelmed.  I told her as much.  I told her I didn't even know where to start expressing how privileged I felt at that moment, much less making mention of her family's place in history.  So I just told her I was humbled and extremely honored to have met her.

Marty Markowitz, Bruce Ratner, and Sharon Robinson were also gracious enough to grant me a shameless photo request.  And so did Jerry Stackhouse..!  My man!  The small ceremony concluded by raising the American colors up the flagpole, followed by a Brooklyn Nets flag.

 

 

 

Mike.BTB

Brooklyn Nets: Ribbon Cutting At Barclays Center

From the desk of:   THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

BROOKLYN NETS ~ BARCLAYS CENTER

September 21, 2012

RIBBON CUTTING DAY:

 

 

GROUNDBREAKING DAY

 March 11, 2010

 

 

Before the first shovel ever struck dirt where the Barclays Center now stands, Bruce Ratner's proposed Atlantic Yards was almost rendered dead and buried.  Opposition to his plan almost halted the project before it ever started.  From the time he purchased the New Jersey Nets and announced his intention to relocate them to Brooklyn, Bruce Ratner spent every day thereafter fighting off contentious challenges regarding the overall implementation/application of eminent domain.

 

 

Bruce Ratner initially fought this battle alone. Both figuratively and literally however, the downtown developer's opponents were fighting him on his turf.  As the developer of MetroTech, Bruce Ratner is a long time veteran of such clashes inside the legal arena.  Mikhail Prokhorov was yet to enter the picture.  But as a native Brooklynite himself, and just happening to be in good standing with local government, the fight was indeed on.  To their credit,  Opposition delayed groundbreaking on Barclays Center for over six years.  As the developer eluded often over that time, the delays were a major blow to Bruce Ratner's financing due to sudden changes to the economy.  But then again, how this whole thing is being paid for was also hotly contested in court.  Finally, with the last legal and residential hurdle cleared, on March 11, 2010, ground broke on Barclays Center under an overcast sky.  Inside a ceremonial white tent, Bruce Ratner admitted even he thought at times, the project seemed doomed.  While the arena is supposed to be just the first building in a greater promised project, the rest of Atlantic Yards is still a hotly debated issue.

Thirty one months after ground breaking, demonstrators showed up early Friday morning on Ribbon Cutting Day as part of their continuing efforts to keep pressure on Bruce Ratner and hold him to promises he made towards constructing affordable housing as part of the greater Atlantic Yards project.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Those aren't the guys from the Little-Bit-O-Luck N.Y. State Lotto commercials.  Instead, as part of demonstrations, this is a mock press conference featuring (left to right) current Governor Andrew Cuomo;

Bruce Ratner; Borough President Marty Markowitz; Mayor Bloomberg; Mikhail Prokhorov;

and former Governor George Pataki.

 

 

*

 

 

I witnessed and participated in several very respectful debates and offered my opinion to those who asked.  But I wasn't necessarily there to engage anyone.  With all due respect, I was there for Ribbon Cutting Day.  As the formal demonstration wrapped up, during Q & A, a long line of press and media (pictured below) snaked along Atlantic Avenue waiting to enter the arena.  Meanwhile, surrounding the front entrance, a thin crowd started lining the plaza perimeter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nets General Manager Billy King arrives on the scene.

Later in the day, inside the arena Mr. King was kind enough to autograph my paperwork.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Behind the glass doors, the corridors of Barclays Center will be packed with local flavors.  From Nathan's Famous to the Bed Stuy Grill pictured above, it appears there will something for everyone. And a walk through the corridors and once around the arena will take you a short time.  For this place is as intimate as can possibly be.  One look inside and you'll see why.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In scale at least, Barclays Center is to Ebbets Field what Madison Square Garden is to Yankee Stadium.  As far as being close to the action, Barclays has MSG beat by a wide margin.  The Garden is cavernous compared to Brooklyn's new arena.  There is one main deck; sidewalk level.  When configured for basketball, patrons will enter the arena level with the scoreboard.  From main level, down you go into the lower seating.  The next level up would be the suite levels.  And above them, the upper deck.  In all, I do not think there is a bad seat in the house.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Nets principle owner, Mikhail Prokhorov, pictured here surveying his new digs,

takes time to speak with Russian media.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Including today, seven more days remain before Jay-Z opens the doors to the public with a series of concerts beginning on September 28th.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike.BTB

Brooklyn Nets: 30 Pictures In 30 Days; Barclays Minus 27 Days

From the desk of:   THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

 

BROOKLYN NETS

 

 

 

 

BARCLAYS CENTER:

 

T-Minus Twenty Seven Days

"Protesters Came Out in the Tens and Tens.."

 

 

SERIES:  Thirty Pictures In Thirty Days

 

#30 - Thirty More Days Till Jay-Z Blows The Doors Wide Open

#29 - Barclays Center; T-Minus Twenty-Nine Days

#28 - Barclays Center - Crossbeams and Concrete

 

Groundbreaking Day ~ March 11, 2010

 

 

After years of delays and legal wrangling, Groundbreaking Day finally arrived.  Six years after Bruce Ratner announced his intention to move the New Jersey Nets to Brooklyn, the developer finally got to bask in his long awaited moment of inglorious satisfaction.  But to watch Bruce Ratner speak from the dais was to watch him savoring his finest day.  Even he admitted, for a time the project seemed doomed.  Interestingly, the major groups in opposition to Atlantic Yards expected to attend Groundbreaking Day ceremonies showed up numbering in the tens and tens of people.  That's right - the displeased and protesters alike never showed up to voice their discontent; not en mass anyway.  Pictured above is a rather small and harmless gathering of curious pedestrians and other intrigued passers-by along Sixth Avenue.  Back on Atlantic Avenue, the barricaded sidewalk closest to the tent where ceremonies were to be held was void of any clearly defined or coherent opposition to the project as well.  Meanwhile, inside the white tent pictured below, Bruce Ratner, Jay-Z, Borough President Marty Markowitz, New York City's Mayor and the Governor were all on hand to officially kick off construction on Barclays Center.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And now, a message from the other side.  Enjoy.

No Land Grab

 

 

 

Mike.BTB

BKN Nets ~ Twenty Months of Construction Later...

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH





BROOKLYN NETS  ~ Twenty Months After Ground-Breaking Day and a Change in Majority Ownership, Jay-Z Still Rules the Brooklyn Scene Since Day One.


After six years of planning and legal wrangling, Barclays Center is now in it's second Autumn of construction.  Twenty months ago, Ground Breaking Day 2010 officially kicked off the long fought, and long delayed project to build Brooklyn's new arena.  The brunch time ceremonies were conducted inside a prepared white tent where Bruce Ratner finally enjoyed a triumphant day before the Media.

It was more Bruce's show then.  He owned the team that was going to play in his new arena on this site he acquired.  This was all part of his greater plan to build Atlantic Yards.  Buying the team and announcing his intentions to move them to Brooklyn was one matter however.  How he was able to acquire the site was another.  And while he's still accountable for the greater Atlantic Yards portion of the project, as you know, the Nets have a new majority owner now; Mikhail Prokhorov.

But on this day back in March of 2010, Bruce Ratner and his minority-share partner in the New Jersey Nets; Jay-Z; were finally able to announce construction on the home for the first professional sports franchise in Brooklyn since the Dodgers left town, was actually beginning.

Flatbush Avenue ~ March 2010

Construction of the arena now fills a ground level void which existed because this is the site of the LIRR train yards below.  It's the same location once desired by Walter O'Malley for his Dodgers.  The location remained as just a big hole in downtown Brooklyn since the day O'Malley was denied and has served to do nothing but separate three neighborhoods from each other.  And that's something I think Jay-Z, Brooklyn's Marcy Housing native, can attest to.  What we also know in hindsight, is that O'Malley didn't necessarily have the neighborhoods' best interest in mind so much as him being able to have the new "Long Islander" have access to his club.  Where as Jay-Z comes from one of these very neighborhoods.

As was the case on Ground Breaking Day, with Jay-Z comes incredible mass appeal.  An appearance by Beyonce never hurts either.  Today, the officially soon to be Brooklyn Nets are tapping into their Partner, local and global resource, as best they can.  The Welcome To Brooklyn campaign is done.  The new thing is all about ACCESS now.  And so the billboards have been modified accordingly.  This billboard pictured features Jay-Z high atop Flatbush Avenue directly across the street from Barclays Center off Dean Street.

I was also pleased once we learned Jay-Z was the primary instigator for naming the team - Brooklyn Nets.  Promotional and marketing wise speaking, if he says it is good; then it is good!  But I also think the name is very appropriate.

His other request was to open the arena with a concert; perhaps multiple.  And why not?  He's been there since "Day One."

BARCLAYS CENTER:   at Flatbush Avenue, Dean Street, and 5th Avenue.



Mike.BTB