What the hell is wrong with our "fans"?

[NetsForce]

http://www.netsdaily.com/blog/?p=583

I mean I have my reasons for not attending the games right now (no time really), but who are these idiots showing up the games? It's like they have no idea who to cheer for and want the Nets to fail. No wonder the Nets are going to Brooklyn

[S.I.C. GM]

WoW!!!!

I was going to say that I thought Dooling was agreeing with the crowd that he shouldnt have missed the shot until I read this

He was asked, Is it that bad? Dooling responded: “I played for the Clippers, and it was never like this,” he said, a testament to just how bad he thinks things are.

LOL

Anyway I hope they start FIRE FRANK chants.

[NetsForce]

Yeah seriously man that's like the worst insult that can be given calling something worse than the Clippers =\...

I feel like a lot of NJ sports "fans" have no real allegiances I have a friend who lives in NJ, grew up in NJ, but for whatever reason supports every Philadelphia sports team... Similarly I have another friend who grew up in NJ who supports all New York sports teams...

Crazy m'fers...

[lurkingobeiscity]

Yeah seriously man that's like the worst insult that can be given calling something worse than the Clippers =\...

I feel like a lot of NJ sports "fans" have no real allegiances I have a friend who lives in NJ, grew up in NJ, but for whatever reason supports every Philadelphia sports team... Similarly I have another friend who grew up in NJ who supports all New York sports teams...

Crazy m'fers...

NJ is a wasteland.

[G_MoNeY]

guys, go to the netsdaily comments on this topic and voice your opinions. I'm "Greg" on there..

[Preludepunk27]

The problem is of the 15,000-plus that show up, like I would say less than half are honest to goodness Net fans. The rest consists of fans of the other team, people that come to see a player on the other team, people that bought tickets in a group like my school used to do, and people who were given the tickets and thought "why the hell not. I got nothing else going on tonight."

Sadly, I really don't think the situation is gonna get better for a while. We gotta make an impact in the community and on the court within the first 2-3 years of being in Brookly or I think we will be a disaster there. If we were actually building a stadium in "New York City," then we'd have a better shot at succeeding regardless because it'd be more accessible to tourists around the city if they couldn't nab tickets to the Garden and the Knicks or whatnot. If tourists come to NYC, I say 85% of them wouldn't want to take a train over to Brooklyn. If the community doesn't accept us in Brooklyn, we're screwed.

[vincecarter4pres]

As much as I want us to remain in NJ, hopefully at the Rock, I love Brooklyn. It is the BEST borough in NYC.

[vincecarter4pres]

Yeah seriously man that's like the worst insult that can be given calling something worse than the Clippers =\...

I feel like a lot of NJ sports "fans" have no real allegiances I have a friend who lives in NJ, grew up in NJ, but for whatever reason supports every Philadelphia sports team... Similarly I have another friend who grew up in NJ who supports all New York sports teams...

Crazy m'fers...

NJ is a wasteland.

"The Armpit of America".

[crazykidd2k6]

Well, you guys gotta think like the fans in their situations. The fans probably thought the game was boring and prolly got mad when they saw boone shooting an airball. Going to a Nets game is just not fun. I think most people would prefer watching the Nets on t.v. For me, I don't really like watching the nets play live. I think its boring most people are just not inthusiastic in the game no one really cheers and if they cheer, they cheer forcefully. I think the reason why is because Side shows just sucked and we don't really have a player that has alot of charisma that everyone would love. Ever since Kmart left Nets games are just not that fun.

[Rich Rane]

Yeah seriously man that's like the worst insult that can be given calling something worse than the Clippers =\...

I feel like a lot of NJ sports "fans" have no real allegiances I have a friend who lives in NJ, grew up in NJ, but for whatever reason supports every Philadelphia sports team... Similarly I have another friend who grew up in NJ who supports all New York sports teams...

Crazy m'fers...

Well I've always commented on our weaker fan base. Although we are part of the biggest market in America, we're within a 300 mile radius of the Knicks, Sixers, and Celtics and the worst basketball history of the three. We also play in the least populated city of all the NBA teams in East Rutherford. It's not in walking distance and there are hardly shuttles that go there. Also, as south as Atlantic City, they receive Philadelphia programming and mid to north Jersey gets NY programming. It's been hard for the Nets to establish a stronger fanbase and it's a shame since I think NJ is a basketball state. I really believe every square mile of NJ consists of either a diner, a mall, or a basketball court.

On the Boone situation though, if I was getting booed for FTs, I'd start shooting 500 a day. Hell, if banking them in helped, I wouldn't laugh at him for that. I wish Jason Collins did that for us.

[Stone]

Its been this way with the fans for a long long time. These days are starting to get like the pre J Kidd era. I used to go to a lot of games. I've seen it get pretty ugly but its part of game. I don't like to see Josh get boo'd but I'm sure there are fans that feel like there getting fleeced whose mentality is "This guys is making more money in one year as I might make in twenty, eff him'.

Another reason is we have never won a champianship and the respect that comes with it. Add in the fact that there is a very loyal Knick following to compete with. If you don't have an established following you can't just expect one to appear out of nowhere if you aren't going to put a quality product out there. People around here dont want to settle for second rate and why should they there is top notch entertainment everywhere you turn.

[litex]

Honestly, I grew up in New Jersey, then got the hell out and went to NYC as soon as possible(there may be places in Jersey more fun to be a teenager/twentysomething than New York, but if so I've never been to them). These days I live in Queens. It would be much, much easier for me to go to a Nets game if they actually did move to Brooklyn than if they stay in Jersey. Hell, it would probably even be easier for me to get into games in Brooklyn even if I still lived in Jersey--the drive to Continental is horrible, and my parents house is right near an nj transit station. So, for those reasons I've got no real opposition to the Nets moving. They were once the New York Nets, it won't make me crazy if they become that again. its not like everyone in Jersey doesn't end up rooting for the New York teams anyway.

And, if they did, the Nets would finally get some good fans, worthy of an organization as well run as ours has been for the past decade (this board notwithstanding. a lot of smart, dedicated fans here. its just, sitting at the games and listening to some of the guido idiots who attend, I wonder if the people on this board are actually the only non-moron Nets fans in all of Jersey). It makes me sick to go to Nets games and watch them get booed by know-nothing douches who go to 1, maybe 2 games a year, than any time I go to a Knicks game the place is packed no matter how much they suck, and there are an abundance of old-school fans who actually know the game.

[rag-time4]

The way many of you guys have interacted with me, I can't help but feel relieved that most of the opinions represented here do not reflect the majority among Nets fans.

I've been outspoken in what I see is total mishandling of the big men of the Nets. Maybe that's what the majority of fans in attendance are also seeing.

Why trade for Swift only to not use him at all?

[NjNeTs1029]

The way many of you guys have interacted with me, I can't help but feel relieved that most of the opinions represented here do not reflect the majority among Nets fans.

I've been outspoken in what I see is total mishandling of the big men of the Nets. Maybe that's what the majority of fans in attendance are also seeing.

Why trade for Swift only to not use him at all?

you manage to bring Stromile Swift into every conversation.. I'm sure the fans were booing because Stromile Swift wasn't in the game. It had nothing to do with the Nets playing poorly and missing free throws when they are paid millions of dollars.. Nope, it was all because Stromile Swift was sitting on the bench.. I bet the majority of the fans in the arena don't even know that Swift is on the Nets. Hes a mediocre big man at best, get over it.

[litex]

I've been outspoken in what I see is total mishandling of the big men of the Nets. Maybe that's what the majority of fans in attendance are also seeing.

Why trade for Swift only to not use him at all?

If the Nets' fans are booing because freaking Stromile Swift isn't getting enough minutes, then not only should the Nets move to brooklyn, but NJ should be officially banned from ever having a team ever. Thats the most (Please Use More Appropriate Word) crap I've ever heard.

[rag-time4]

The way many of you guys have interacted with me, I can't help but feel relieved that most of the opinions represented here do not reflect the majority among Nets fans.

I've been outspoken in what I see is total mishandling of the big men of the Nets. Maybe that's what the majority of fans in attendance are also seeing.

Why trade for Swift only to not use him at all?

you manage to bring Stromile Swift into every conversation.. I'm sure the fans were booing because Stromile Swift wasn't in the game. It had nothing to do with the Nets playing poorly and missing free throws when they are paid millions of dollars.. Nope, it was all because Stromile Swift was sitting on the bench.. I bet the majority of the fans in the arena don't even know that Swift is on the Nets. Hes a mediocre big man at best, get over it.

By mishandling of the big men, I don't mean just that Swift isn't playing. How about Anderson and Yi not being held accountable for poor shooting and poorer defense? Sean Williams being sent to the d-league after minimal opportunity this season (while the team did well when he was playing), Lopez being inconsistently utilized and not always involved.... Coach Frank and the Nets bungling goes beyond just Swift.

Carter also has been inconsistent. He's had some real stinkers this season, and the fans may be turning on him due to his inconsistent aggression and poor shooting in some games.

The team still hasn't gelled yet and it seems the coaching staff is still not sure what it's doing. The rotation has been in flux, particularly with the big men.

[litex]

The team still hasn't gelled yet and it seems the coaching staff is still not sure what it's doing. The rotation has been in flux, particularly with the big men.

I'd say this team has gelled better and the coaching staff has more of a clue than they ever did during the Kidd-Vicne-RJ years, or really any time since Byron Scott and J-Kidd decided they hated each other. The talent level isn't as high as during the big 3 years, but the offense has been vastly better run. Instituting the dribble-drive offense to take advantage of Vince-Harris duo was a genuinely really intelligent move.

As for the big men rotations, yes they've been inconsistent, but so have the players, and right now we don't have a single big man without some serious holes in his game. Lopez is awesome posting up and a good rebounder and defender, but his jumper has looked every bit a rookie big man's and our offense does rely on our bigs helping to spread the floor, plus as a rookie Brook tend to never get calls and rack up fouls faster than he should. Yi's defense is spotty at best and if he's not hitting his shots he's a total nonentiry, same for Anderson. Boone has been injured and even when healthy is pretty limited. Swift is big and athletic but has displayed next to no understanding of our system, or any willingness/capability to try to learn, so rewarding him with minutes sends a very bad signal to our young bigs who are still figuring out what sort of mentality they're gonna approach their careers with.

[Closer2God]

Maybe the fans are actually trying to help the Nets by booing them? They can't win a game at home so why not make it feel like the fans are against them like a road game and help them get some wins at home.

Dunno what you guys are so mad about this could help.

[rag-time4]

The team still hasn't gelled yet and it seems the coaching staff is still not sure what it's doing. The rotation has been in flux, particularly with the big men.

I'd say this team has gelled better and the coaching staff has more of a clue than they ever did during the Kidd-Vicne-RJ years, or really any time since Byron Scott and J-Kidd decided they hated each other. The talent level isn't as high as during the big 3 years, but the offense has been vastly better run. Instituting the dribble-drive offense to take advantage of Vince-Harris duo was a genuinely really intelligent move.

As for the big men rotations, yes they've been inconsistent, but so have the players, and right now we don't have a single big man without some serious holes in his game. Lopez is awesome posting up and a good rebounder and defender, but his jumper has looked every bit a rookie big man's and our offense does rely on our bigs helping to spread the floor, plus as a rookie Brook tend to never get calls and rack up fouls faster than he should. Yi's defense is spotty at best and if he's not hitting his shots he's a total nonentiry, same for Anderson. Boone has been injured and even when healthy is pretty limited. Swift is big and athletic but has displayed next to no understanding of our system, or any willingness/capability to try to learn, so rewarding him with minutes sends a very bad signal to our young bigs who are still figuring out what sort of mentality they're gonna approach their careers with.

If I remember, didn't Kidd and Byron Scott decide they hated each other after getting crushed by Stromile Swift and the Griz?

I have that game on DVD with the Nets broadcasters. I remember them talking about the shouting in the Nets locker room after the game, which was mentioned in the above recap.

I agree with your analysis of most of the players on the team, but as for Swift, what if he's not happy with his role? Has he been given significant touches and allowed to dribble drive? He's certainly capable. Coach Frank said about Stromile that he had his best year under Hubie Brown. Brown limited his minutes but got him involved when he was in the game, and he gave Swift room to be creative within the offense...

Swift isn't Josh Boone and doesn't want the same role.

[alty5nets5]

its so frustrating to go to games and see all the empty seats...the fans don't cheer like they should and im glad kenyon said something. I doubt that this will change anything, but I really hope it does. Fans make a big difference at home games, its dead silent for nets home games. How can the players get pumped for any game in a half empty, silent arena?
I went to the dallas game in the snow and although the stadium was practically empty, the nets management allowed everyone to move to the lower section to cheer on the team. And as soon as this happened the nets started playing much better (it helped that harris wanted to torch the mavs anyway). Allowing fans to get so close to the game really made them cheer harder and was a big lift. When your the only one in a section it really limits your enthusiasm to cheer.