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Nets Hold Season Ticket Holder June 25, 2007
East Rutherford, NJ- With just days to go before the NBA draft and the opening of free agency, the Nets held an exclusive season ticket holder town hall meeting to give their state of the team. Over 300 people were on hand to listen and pose questions to Principal Owner Bruce Ratner, CEO Brett Yormark, Head Coach Lawrence Frank, and Nets Captain Jason Kidd. President Rod Thorn – who was on the road watching the final draft workouts in preparation for Thursday’s draft - delivered a statement via video tape.
In line with their all-access philosophy, the Nets used this opportunity – during such a critical week – to actively keep season ticket holders aware of what is going on, now and in preparation for next season. The event, held at the Nets practice facility, was hosted by Nets radio announcer Chris Carrino; topics ranged from Vince Carter, Jason Kidd, the draft, and the return of center Nenad Krstic. The prevailing message, however, was a simple one: the Nets are committed to winning now and devoted to making the fan experience the best in the league. It was the win now sentiment that brought the Nets up from the mat when things looked dire last season. “I think it was a matter of we want to win at the end of the day,” said Kidd from his director’s chair, responding to a ticket holder’s question asking what turned the Nets season around at the end. Said Coach Frank, “We never put ourselves in a position where we were out of it and yet we gave ourselves a chance that when we did hit our stride…we were able to make a go of it. It speaks a lot about the character of the team and the character of the leadership because we never let go of the rope.” Holding on to that rope propelled the Nets to their sixth straight playoff appearance this season. Only the Pistons, Mavericks, and Spurs can say the same thing. The Nets beat the Atlantic Division champion Toronto Raptors in the first round and lost in the second round to the eventual Eastern Conference Champion Cleveland Cavaliers. And as can be forgotten, they did this without their at-the-time second leading scorer and rebounder, Nenad Krstic. The 23 year-old Center is rehabilitating from a torn ACL- suffered in late December - but will be back in time for training camp. Jason Kidd received thunderous applause tonight both for his 2006-07 season and playoffs and as a referendum on everything he has done for the team and fans since he arrived in 2001. And he does not see his game slowing down with age. “I feel at 33, 34 now, going on 35 as good as if I was 22. Hopefully, I can have the season that I had last year.” As for the expected free-agent to be Vince Carter, owner Bruce Ratner stated that Vince “wants to be back” and that the team “wants him to be back.” Coach Frank and J-Kidd expounded on the virtues of Vince Carter. Said Frank, “With Vince, the great thing about him is he’s very coach-able, his teammates love him, and I think he is going to get even better.” “He’s going to become a better player.” “He wants the ball in the last two minutes of the game; he wants the ball in the last seconds of the game -- Regardless of the criticism. There aren’t a lot of players in the league who want that.” “Go out and find another guy who is going to bring us what he brings. It’s a value and sometimes we forget.” “Sometimes we get caught up in looking for him to do more,” said Kidd, who emphasized the fact that Vince bails the team out with a made shot more times than he gets credit for. A season ticket holder commended Ratner and Yormark on additions continuing to be made to Continental Airlines Arena, like the Earthlink All Access Club. Yormark noted that the Nets will continue to investment spend the next two seasons and that season ticket holders should expect more great value, access, and service. The night with the coach, captain, owner, and president exhibited the access the Nets like to grant to their fans and valued customers. On the precipice of the draft and free agency, it also gave the fans a bright glimpse into next season. The coach was pretty excited too. “We have great character, we have talent, we have great leadership from above, and I think we are very, very excited about the upcoming campaign.” |
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