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Pierce High on NetsFred Kerber of the New York Post reports that at least one expert is picking the New Jersey Nets to win the East. Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics likes the moves made by the Nets this summer and believes they can repeat as Eastern Conference Champions. "The Nets made changes and it's all about chemistry but with their trades I believe they definitely got better. On paper they will be the team to beat [in the East]," said Pierce, who helped lead the Celtics to the Eastern Finals, where they lost in six games to the Nets. "They're the Eastern Conference champs. They've gotten better. They upgraded from a year ago. They basically traded Keith Van Horn for Rodney Rogers and Todd MacCulloch for Dikembe Mutombo. Both of them are better players. So they definitely should be the favorites going into the season." Pierce wasn’t nearly as confident in his own club. After losing Rodney Rogers to the Nets and Trading Kenny Anderson for Vin Baker, Pierce wonders about the team chemistry. "We have to wait and see," Pierce said. "You have to find out how the chemistry is going to work and how our players are going to get along. I thought we had something special last year. Maybe we should have come back with the same team but obviously we had to get better. We weren't quite there. Hopefully this change will make us better." New Jersey Nets, Boston Celtics Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Nets closer to new arenaThe Associated Press reports: The New Jersey Nets and New Jersey Devils could be in line for a $355 million arena as a result of funding from an expected new lease for Newark airport. The NBA's Nets and the Devils of the NHL play in the Meadowlands Continental Arena in Bergen County and have threatened to move out if a new facility is not built in time for the start of the 2005 season. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is expected to give the airport lease the go-ahead on Thursday, Newark business administrator Richard Monteilh said on Monday. Under the deal, which was approved by Newark City Council on Friday, the city will receive an upfront sum of $100 million and a minimum yearly payment of $65 million. Newark will get another $165 million from the Port Authority to settle a long-standing lawsuit over the calculation of the airport's net profits. The settlement money has been earmarked for "economic development" and will contribute towards construction of the new arena. The YankeeNets, owner of the two teams, would also put up $125 million, with Essex County adding another $50 million. Proposals for a Newark arena have failed several times in the past as politicians put a stop to plans that tacked on funds for other projects across the state. Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Wang Eyes Shot At Landing NetsAlan Hahn of Newsday reports that the New Jersey Nets may be on the move. The city of Newark, NJ is running out of time to come up with a proposal for a new arena deal for the Nets and NHL’s Devils. Because of this, Charles Wang, who is part owner of the NHL’;s New York Islanders, has emerged as a candidate to buy the Nets. A spokesman for Wang and Islanders co-owner Sanjay Kumar would not confirm nor deny the report and issued a statement that said the ownership group "will explore all opportunities presented to us." However, one New Jersey area businessman not only confirmed Wang's interest in buying the Nets, but said he is also interested in bringing an NBA franchise to Long Island. Purchasing the Nets would enable Wang, chairman of Islandia-based Computer Associates International, Inc., to join the team with the Islanders and his arena football club, the Dragons, and make a powerful case for a new arena to replace the aging Nassau Coliseum. Since buying the Islanders for $190 million in April 2000, Wang has looked into purchasing two NBA teams, the Vancouver Grizzlies and Charlotte Hornets, but did not follow through in either case. It is believed the NBA would rather not have three teams in the New York metropolitan area. Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Nets Aug 2002 Archive
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