On Oct. 23, 1967, the Brooklyn Nets franchise played its first game as the New Jersey Americans. A Brooklyn basketball junkie who was friendly with coach Max Zaslofsky and several players, Herb Turetzky was asked shortly before tip-off to serve as official scorer. As the franchise celebrates its 50th anniversary, Turetzky remains the official scorer, working the table at Barclays Center every game. Over the course of the season, we’ll check in with Herb for a Q&A of his memories of significant moments in franchise history.
In this edition, we look back at the franchise’s move to Brooklyn. After 35 years in New Jersey, the Nets tipped off a new era at Barclays Center on November 3, 2012. The Nets won their Brooklyn debut against the Toronto Raptors, 107-100 and finished the inaugural season in Brooklyn with a 49-33 record.
When the idea of moving to Brooklyn first came out, what did you think?
I was convinced, when I heard that we were moving to Newark, that that was going to be the end of my career. I was not going to add the extra 15 or 20 minutes on to go to Newark. And then came word that Newark was a two-year deal and after Newark was Brooklyn. I was like the horse that had a carrot in front of him. My ears perked up, my face lit up in a smile, and I could not think of retiring before coming home to Brooklyn. To me, it was the greatest thing ever. Even now, we drive in every day and every night coming here I smile. It’s romantic, thinking of where we’re going. Seeing the changes in the borough, as we’re driving through Williamsburg and Greenpoint and down Flatbush Avenue. New high rises. New restaurants. This is about eight or nine subway stops from where I grew up as a kid. If this was ever here when we were young, it would have been the greatest thing in the world.
What was you reaction when you first saw the new arena?
I thought the building was terrific. It was a little different styling. We walked in and the people that we met right away, all so warm. The people that work in this building, they’re like your neighbors. They’re young people from Brooklyn, different neighborhoods, and they’re all as warm as could be. They treat us, (my wife) Jane and myself, like we’re the king and queen of the building.
Last year I did my 1,300th straight game. It’s nice, 1,300 straight games is a lot. Two games later we were leaving the arena and Jane says to me, we have to wait over here for a minute. So I wait, and about five minutes later the stands emptied out. Seven ushers came down to see me after the game. They presented me with a plaque thanking me for my dedication to the Nets, the people who help me in and out of chairs, move things around. They brought a plaque to thank me for doing 1,300 straight games. That’s the kind of people that work here.
What was opening night like for the first game in Brooklyn?
It brought me back to the beginning as to how it felt that October night in 1967. It really has brought me back and added years to my career.
The fans were having a great time. They’re cheering and they’re rooting for our guys. We’ve had some games that light the place up. The Joe Johnson game winners, you can’t beat those. We had those in Jersey and a few guys did them, the Jason Kidd nights. Being in Brooklyn is the key.