By AARON MARASIA
The 2019-2020 NBA season is underway and the New York Knicks already look like their usual selves, winning only 4 of their first 21 games. Meanwhile, their crosstown rivals, the Brooklyn Nets have gone 10-10, but two of their losses have come in overtime.
The Nets made 2 key free agency signings this summer, prying superstars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving away from the New York Knicks, the frontrunners to sign both. This caused an outrage amongst Knicks fans, who have been disappointed by the team for several years.
The Knicks haven’t made the playoffs since the 2013 season. In fact, last season they went an abysmal 17-65. Last January the Knicks traded their disgruntled all-star Kristaps Porzingis, who was out for the season with an ACL injury and upset with team management, and three other players to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for more available money to sign free agents, draft picks, and former lottery pick Dennis Smith Jr. Although Porzingis wanted a trade, the Knicks ultimately made the move so they could have enough money to sign both Durant and Irving.
As free agency approached, rumors started circling that Irving was persuading Durant to join him on the Nets rather than the Knicks, and on the first day of free agency, Irving and Durant verbally agreed to sign with the Nets. A week later, it was official. While Nets fans rejoiced, Knicks fans were left shocked and upset. An avid Knicks fan since birth, Jericho High School junior Jake C. said, “With them signing KD and Irving, the Nets should become a playoff contender once Durant comes back and him and Irving play together.” This past June, the Knicks drafted Duke star RJ Barrett with the third overall pick. “The Knicks are going to be really bad, which is disappointing because we had such high expectations in free agency, but hopefully RJ Barret can show promise because he is our only hope,” added Jake C.
According to Durant, he and Irving chose the Nets because of their winning culture, strong supporting players and a proven coach. The Nets overachieved last season, going 42-40 and making the playoffs. Last season the Nets were led by first-time all-star D’Angelo Russell along with strong role players Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert, and Joe Harris.This summer Russell was sent to the Warriors in a sign and trade deal that sent Durant to the Nets. Although Durant is probably out the entire season due to a torn Achilles tendon suffered in last year’s NBA finals, the Nets are still expected to make the playoffs this year.
Even before the Nets moved from New Jersey to Brooklyn, they have lagged behind the Knicks in fandom. Jericho High School senior and Nets fan Andrew R. believes the only reason the Knicks have been the bigger team is because of their marketing. He said, “I don’t think the Nets have the money to put themselves out there and be as popular like the Knicks.”
This past season the Nets averaged 15,000 fans per home game versus the Knicks who averaged 19,000 fans per home game. However, with two of the most popular NBA players joining the team, came thousands of new fans for the Nets comprised of both former Knicks fans upset with their team and the legion of followers both players have from around the world. Jericho junior Dylan H., who is a fan of the Phoenix Suns, believes the Nets are gaining new fans solely because of “the stars on the team.”
The Nets are now even more televised than the Knicks. In the past, the Knicks were usually amongst the top of the league in nationally televised games, but their low expectations and lack of a true superstar have brought them to the bottom.
Unlike this game last season when attendance was relatively low, the Nets have had 9 straight home sellouts from last year’s playoffs continuing into this season.
This season, fans of the Knicks can expect the team to continue to be among the worst in the league. After a rough start, there have been rumors of coach David Fizdale, General Manager Scott Perry and team President Steve Mills all on the cusp of being fired. On the other hand, Nets fans have plenty to look forward to. Although they might not be among the top of the eastern conference this year, with the return of Durant, there is definitely a possibility.