Kids Blogger Maggie (bottom, center) poses with friends while
celebrating her birthday in the Backstage Lounge presented by Aflac

Happy New Year, Nets fans! I hope everyone enjoyed the Nets' first win, on December 4th against the Charlotte Bobcats. That evening, I was celebrating my birthday with my family and a few friends at the game.

Our seats were in Kids Country, which is located in section 240. It isn’t as high up as you would think. Every time the Nets were on offense my friends went CRAZY! They were all either screaming "Nets! Nets!" or clapping the Thundersticks in my face. I was glad they were having a good time.

During halftime, we all went to the Backstage Lounge to sing "Happy Birthday" and eat cake. This room was the New Jersey Devils' old locker room. My friends were so excited that they were at a Nets game, and they might win. When we all returned to our seats wearing Nets jerseys and hats, nearby fans told my mother the halftime scoreboard read, "Happy Birthday Maggie!" It was very exciting. No adjectives could explain how I was feeling inside!

We continued to watch the game and when it was the third quarter, I explained how there will be a T-shirt toss. Sly had shot a couple T-shirts in the upper bowl, but unfortunately no one caught a T-shirt. It was still an awesome party and we all had a lot of fun. Check out this video – I was interviewed by the Jac of All Nets!

The Best Host
For my party, Frank Sullivan of the Nets had organized and set up everything perfectly (tickets, party room, birthday cake, giveaways and my name on the scoreboard). He was terrific, and even had a photographer stop by to take my picture. My friends had smiles on their faces all night. As you can see, he did a wonderful job! If you are a loyal Nets fan and you would like your birthday party at a Nets game, call Frank Sullivan – he is the best! You and your friends will have a great time!

E-mail Frank at fsullivan@njnets.com or call Ryan Feminella at (201) 806-7284. For more information on birthday packages, view our .PDF flyer.

Nickelodeon Night at IZOD
One of the other Nets home games I went to was a Nickelodeon Night at the IZOD Center featuring Dora the Explorer. Dora was there to sing the national anthem, and I got to take my picture with her. I didn’t realize how popular she is with all the kids. She walked all over the arena and always stopped to take pictures. At halftime I spotted Dora hanging out in Kids Country with all her fans.

Goodbye Friend, Hello Stranger
As long as I have been a Nets fan, there has only been one head coach: Lawrence Frank. That is all I have ever known. I attended Coach Frank’s basketball camp and had a chance to talk with him. He was always friendly and encouraging all the kids to reach their goals.

I know he loved coaching the Nets so I wish him the best for his next coaching job. I have never met the new coach Kiki Vanderweghe, but I am hoping he can lead the Nets to the playoffs.

Until next time, Nets fans! Catch you on the rebound.

Kids Blogger Maggie (left) poses with her brother and Brook Lopez

I hope that all Nets fans have enjoyed their summer. It has been a few months since we last discussed the Nets, so I wanted to catch up with everyone. Sorry for the delay, but I have had a lot of homework the first month of school!

How I Spent My Summer Vacation
When I watched the NBA draft in June, I was so excited to know the Nets picked another good player this year in Terrence Williams. Over the summer, my brother and I went to the Brook Lopez camp. He is so TALL (check out the pic!), but he is also a really cool guy. It’s amazing: he is a bigger Disney fan than any kid I know. Even though he is so tall, Brook loves going on all the rides at the Disney parks. He showed us how he turns his body to fit on the rides.

Also, I was able to spend some time at the Lawrence Frank camp as well. It was so much fun watching Coach Frank and Brook teach all the kids at camps as well as having the chance to talk to them.

Same Guys, Different Uniforms
I would like to congratulate Jason Collins for signing with the Atlanta Hawks, and I'm happy for him to be back with a team that is a playoff contender. I still can’t get over the fact that another one of my favorite former Nets, Boki Nachbar, hasn’t signed with a NBA team. Instead he's playing professional basketball in Turkey. I can’t wait until he re-signs with an NBA team again (hopefully the Nets!)

I have to get used to Richard Jefferson on the San Antonio Spurs and Vince Carter on the Orlando Magic because as long as I can remember, both players have been on the Nets. It is a little weird. It’s like seeing your teachers from school in the supermarket, when you can only picture them being in the classroom.

Different Guys, Same Uniforms
This year, the Nets have added a lot of new players to their roster. I haven’t met any new players yet, but I am looking forward to watching them play this season! It seems like the Nets have added a lot of young and exciting players.

Excuse me, can I ask you a question?
Everywhere I go, people seem to ask me:

• How good are the Nets going to be?
• Will the Nets make the playoffs this year?
• Will Devin Harris be an All-Star again this year?
• Is this the year Brook Lopez becomes an All-Star?
• Can Yi have a breakout season?

I don’t know the answers yet, but I do know that I am ready for the season! Hope to see you at a game!

Fans…until next time…catch you on the rebound…Go Nets!