Last year, just about everything that could have possibly gone wrong for the Nets, did. It was Murphy’s Law at it’s finest. They stumbled across the finish line with a league worst 12 – 70 record while underachieving the entire way. Their poor play led to the firing of head coach Lawrence Frank, and spearheaded the attempt at landing big name free agents this past summer in an effort to inject new life into the organization. Not only were they not able to land highly coveted free agents, but they didn’t even get the first pick in the NBA Draft although they had the best odds at doing so.
Despite all of this, the Nets look much better so far this year than they did last year. They’re 3 – 5 right now, where as last year through 8 games, they won a grand total of zero. Things appear to be looking up for the organization. At least so I thought. We all know that the Nets will be moving to Brooklyn at some point in the future and new majority owner Mikhail Prokhorov is on board to see it through. While the Nets will be relocating some 20 miles, one thing that will not be coming along for the ride their nickname. The team has decided not to be called the Brooklyn Nets when they actually make their short trek. According to NBA.com’s Sam Amico, the name that they are reportedly leaning towards is the Brooklyn Ballers. I kid you not. If that happens, that may be equivalent to them going 0 – 82.
And you thought “Thunder” was a dumb name for an NBA franchise. Thunder has nothing on Ballers. I certainly hope that this is merely just speculation and this terrible rumor was inadvertently leaked. If there is any truth behind this I’m not sure if I could take that franchise seriously anymore. The other possibility was the Brooklyn Dodgers. Sound familiar? That is why this name probably will not fly because the name is trademarked by the Los Angeles Dodgers who are not likely to let anyone use it.
The New York Knicks apparently aren’t happy with the prospect of the soon-to-be ex-Nets using “New York” in their name, which is why they will probably go with Brooklyn instead. Technically, the Nets can use either “New York” or “Brooklyn” because they own the trademark. It’s simply that the Knicks don’t want that to be the case. The fact that it sounds like the Knicks forbid the Nets from using “New York” in their name is hilarious to me. But it’s not as funny as the Nets complying simply because the Knicks wouldn’t appreciate it.
During halftime of the Nets/Cavs game last night, a Nets team spokesman called the reports false but I’d like to know what’s wrong with “Nets”? It’s simple and to the point. And besides, with so many professional sports teams, we’re running out of names anyway. “Brooklyn Nets” has a nice ring to it if you ask me. There has to be some legitimacy to the “Ballers” claim because how can you make something like that up? But again, I seriously hope that doesn’t become their name. I’m embarrassed for them just thinking about it.
What do you think? What should the Nets be called once they move to Brooklyn?
If you’re looking for your everyday, predictable basketball talk, then go somewhere else, because Kevin Burke of The Kevin Burke Project brings provocative, thought provoking content about basketball as only he can. Kevin also hosts The Hoop Doctors weekly podcast show, which you can subscribe to for free on iTunes. Follow Kevin on Twitter and Facebook
