Kathy Willens/AP
The Brooklyn Nets are now officially the “new home team” in Brooklyn with the brand new shiny Barclays Center openingFriday, and the Nets now have a new home court that stands alone among all other NBA arenas.
This glorious building, the Barclays Center, is a tribute to the dream and hard work of thousands although one person who needs credit for today is developer Bruce Ratner.
This has been Ratner’s “baby” for over a decade and everyone in the world told him he couldn’t do it a million times and then the economy fell in the tank and more people doubted he and his group. Today is a day of “redemption” and “satisfaction” for Ratner more than anyone and I, as a proud Nets fan, applaud you Mr. Ratner. (that wasnt always the case)
The Ribbon Cutting day began with owner Mikhail Prokorov actually cutting the ribbon and then everyone made their way to the podium for a few speakers. Ratner speaking first gave a ton of credit for the building to Nets CEO Brett Yormark and the rest of his team and them Mayor Bloomberg took mic and tried to get the crowd going a bit.
Tweets from the day :
Brooklyn Nets
@brooklynnets: “This is a great day for Brooklyn, and a great day for New York City!”–NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg @barclayscenter #hellobrooklyn
Barclays Center
@barclayscenter: “This really is a great day for Brooklyn, and a great day for New York City.” – Mayor @MikeBloomberg
The main attraction that everyone wanted to see and hear from came next and that was owner Mikhail Prokorov. The man with the legendary bank accounts and bold statements stepped to the podium and spoke briefly, but just like Drago in Rocky IV, his words were felt throughout the maze of reporters and those who attended.
Tim Bontemps
@TimBontemps – Prokhorov: “Not everyone, in their lifetime, gets to be witness to an event that changes a city.”
Howard Beck
@HowardBeckNYT: Prokhorov: “Barclays Center will be the heart of the Brooklyn borough.”
Rod Boone
@rodboone: Prokhorov: “I assure you. We are bringing a team that is worthy of this great arena and this great Borough of Brooklyn.” #Nets
The arena was open for all media and many pictures are all over the internet right now but from what I can and have seen this is going to be a TREMENDOUS home court advantage for the Nets.
Step number one complete for the Nets to take over New York. # Hello Brooklyn
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