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October 5, 2007
Ratner's Ex-Knicks
Former Knicks shooting guard Allan Houston is weighing a decision to sign with the Nets, which, according to Nets Daily, wouldn't be the first time an ex-Knick was poached by Bruce:
NY Daily News, Source: Allan Houston weighing Knicks or Nets
Allan Houston will decide by Friday whether to attempt his comeback with Stephon Marbury and the Knicks or Jason Kidd and the Nets, according to a person close to Houston.
...
Considering the turmoil facing the franchise in the aftermath of the Isiah Thomas trial, Houston might be better served to distance himself from the current regime. The Knicks have the maximum 15 players under contract and are trying to find a spot for second-round pick Demetrius Nichols. Adding Houston may seem like a good public-relations move, but Houston's presence could delay Nichols' and Nate Robinson's development.The Nets would provide a more stable environment. Plus, New Jersey gives Houston a better chance to compete for a championship. Houston played with Kidd and Vince Carter on the 2000 Olympic team.
In the 'Zzone, Net Gains?
It comes down to this: Is winning more important than loyalty? To you and I it would seem to be a no-brainer.
Would you want to play with Jason Kidd or Stephon Marbury? Would you want to play for Rod Thorn or Isiah Thomas? Do you want an owner like Bruce Ratner or Jim Dolan? To you and I, no brainers.
NoLandGrab: Would you want to play for an organization reeling from a sexual harassment verdict against head coach Isiah Thomas, or one that is using eminent domain to take people's homes for a new arena — decisions, decisions.
Nets Daily, Nets Grabbing Knick Execs
Meanwhile, Bruce Ratner's NJ Nets front office is using the MSG front office as their farm team:
Since Brett Yormark, president and chief executive of the Nets, took over nearly three years ago, the Nets have recruited several key executives from Madison Square Garden to join New Jersey’s operation.
Among them:
Petra Pope, Nets’ vice president entertainment and event marketing, the creator of the Knicks City Dancers;
Kimberlee Garris, the Nets’ entertainment manager who danced for Pope at the Garden;
Neil Davis, chief revenue officer, of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment and a former Executive Vice President, Advertising Sales, at Madison Square Garden.
Joe Stetson, senior marketing director for Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment.
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It’s part of Yormark’s overall upgrade at the Nets offices in East Rutherford. Sports Business Journal reports that Yormark has nearly doubled the franchise’s staff since taking over in January 2005, going from 75 then to 138 now. The team has also more than doubled its sales staff to 30 employees. Some of those also once sold tickets for the Knicks.
Posted by lumi at October 5, 2007 12:32 PM