Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Brooklyn Finding It Hard to Get Excited About Nets
By
Ben Yakas
Published Dec 7, 2009
Modified Dec 7, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Dec 7, 2009
Modified Dec 7, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Pity the Nets, they play for our sins. They started the season a record-breaking 0-18, finally won a game last week under new head coach/GM Kiki Vandeweghe, then dropped a stinker to the slightly-less-worse Knicks last night at the Garden. The Knicks and Nets are both playing the salary cap game right now, waving a white flag this season while trying to free up space to lure some of the superstars available in next years free agent bonanza to come over and revitalize each franchise.
But as much flack as the Knicks have gotten (and deserved) this year, the Nets really are hitting new lows. As the Daily News pondered, "Who scores only 36 points in a half against the Knicks? Who makes only 14 baskets in the final 24 minutes against a Mike D'Antoni-coached defense?"
The Nets are putting all their cards on the table by promising a flourishing future in the mythical Atlantic Yards (which could be anytime between 2011 and 2013), but even potential fans are restless already. The News checked out the atmosphere around Brooklyn today, and found fans such as John Longo, 43, who want a BK team, just not this team: "'When they first started talking about it, I was into it, but not anymore, because it's owned by a guy who doesn't care about the game...I think they're pathetic.'"
New York Magazine gives an appropriately sad summary of the bad luck the Nets have had over the years with locations and rosters, and reminds us about former small forward Chris Morris, who once wrote "Please" and "Trade Me" on his sneakers during a 1995 game against the Bulls.
Tagged
Atlantic Yards
basketball
brooklyn
futility
knicks
nets
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC early voting dips compared to 2025, but spikes in majority-Black districts
Mayor Mamdani's robust support for Gov. Hochul couldn’t quite match the level of early voting in 2025.
By
Brigid Bergin
and
Joe Hong
Published Nov 2, 2026 at 6:06 p.m. ET
NYPD officers shoot man after exchange of gunfire outside Bronx deli, police say
Police say the man threatened people inside a deli before exchanging gunfire with officers. He is expected to survive.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
NYPD officers shoot man after exchange of gunfire outside Bronx deli, police say
Police say the man threatened people inside a deli before exchanging gunfire with officers. He is expected to survive.
By
Giulia Heyward
Washington Square Park snowball thrower gets community service for pelting NYPD
By
Walter Wuthmann
Stabbing of Brooklyn runner believed to be ‘random attack,’ NYPD says
By
Ben Feuerherd
NYPD wants info from schools after 15-year-old Bronx boy shot and killed
By
Charles Lane
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .