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February 8, 2012
NETS SELLING THE FUTURE WITH THROWBACK ABA UNIFORMS
Sports Blog United
The Nets are sending a message to their fans and the rest of the league. The organization is Jersey strong, but it definitely has its minds set for New York. Last night marked the first of five “Hardwood Classics Nights” that the Nets have scheduled for the remainder of the season. During these games, the Nets players suit up wearing their old school New York Nets uniforms from the old ABA days.
...But just because I like the jerseys doesn’t necessarily mean I’m going out to buy one with Deron Williams’ number 8. It also doesn’t mean I’m going to their new arena next fall to watch.
Let’s face it: the Nets aren’t going anywhere this year with regard to the standings, even if Brook Lopez and MarShon Brooks return fast and at 100 percent. This team will leave Jersey not having appeared in the playoffs since the 2006-07 season. Williams isn’t a lock to re-sign with the Nets next year, which seriously dampens any chance of Dwight Howard coming to Brooklyn. It’s going to be a hard sell for fans to show up next year for a team with basically nothing in the future.
And the Nets hope that flashy new uniforms will do the trick?
...Once the gimmicks and the novelty of the arena and the new team in town flavor wears off, what does the team have left to fall back on?
NoLandGrab: Unfortunately for the Nets, whether New Jersey or Brooklyn, gimmicks are pretty much the extent of Brett Yormark's tool kit.
Posted by eric at February 8, 2012 11:23 AM