Teletopez Posted April 11, 2010 Report Share Posted April 11, 2010 (edited) http://media.nj.com/nets_impact/photo/aerial-view-meadowlands-arena-3bbb871b1fffe6fd_large.jpgTruth is, even from the Turnpike, you can hear the building speak. Or sneer, is more like it: “Yeah, I’m ugly — so what?” it says. “This is Jersey, you rube. Live with it. Move along, nothing to see here. Or get off at 16-W and find a parking spot. Then shut up and play ball.” The basketball arena that has been home to the Nets for three decades — presently known as Izod Center, because nothing says Jersey like a crocodile on a preppy polo shirt — has been outmoded for roughly half its lifetime. Think about it: Three of the four expansion teams from 1988 and 1989 are already on their second buildings. BUCK WILLIAMS, Forward (1981-89)“Most of the players who passed through felt it wasn’t a home court. It felt like it was a transitional court — no transportation to the arena, small crowds — almost like an illegitimate home. We never even had the identity — they even changed the name of the place twice (from Brendan Byrne Arena to Continental Airlines Arena to Izod). It never seemed to resonate with people.” JASON KIDD, Point guard (2001-07)“I remember opening night and we maybe had 3,500 or 4,000 there. It was right after the trade. It was a tough place to sell out. But a lot of times teams overlooked us, and we got a lot of wins. It was a great home court, because it was close to New York and other teams would hang out (late) there the night before.” SUSSMAN – “But it still astounds me that following the run to the Finals, how apathetic the fan base was the following year. Was this the fault of the building? There are many restaurants where the ambiance is a bit stilted, but the food is so good that you put that aside to enjoy a great meal.”Full Articlehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRyDTV6iY7I Edited April 11, 2010 by Waldo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinyard Posted April 11, 2010 Report Share Posted April 11, 2010 Watching that video makes me wish there a long video recap of the Nets 2001-2002 season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lkr Posted April 11, 2010 Report Share Posted April 11, 2010 my fondest memory is the Lakers sweep in 02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinyard Posted April 11, 2010 Report Share Posted April 11, 2010 my fondest memory is the Lakers sweep in 02 Yeah, we couldn't stop that big monkey of yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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