NORTH CAROLINA (BASN)—In a political year, the conversation in the country has been about God, Gangs, Gays, and Guns.
And while the American people debated whether Mormonism was a cult, or whether same sex marriage should be legal, or if gangs should be considered terrorists, or whether government gun control laws are against the Second Amendment, the New Jersey Nets offically became the Brooklyn Nets.
“Not everyone, in their lifetime gets to witness a project that changes the face and the destiny of the city, “ Nets owner and Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov told news reporter at a ribbon cutting ceremony last Friday. Yes, the Nets have finally moved to Brooklyn.
And with the Nets, being the heart beat of Brooklyn, some hip-hop heads have even suggested the Nets are not America’s team like the Dallas Cowboys, but Hip-Hop’s team.
The label of being Hip Hop’s first team, of course, has something to do with partial owner Shawn Carter aka Jay-Z’s involvement in the team’s marketing stragedy, which is displayed at center court of the Barclay Center in the form of a large “B” logo as well as in the classic black and white new Nets’ uniforms. Jay-Z’s influence in connecting the Nets to the Hip-Hop community was also visually and vocally expressed in Carter’s week long concerts held at the state-of-the-art, $1 billion, 18,200 seat Barclays Center, which he cleverly allowed the final show to be streamed live on YouTube.
Jigga’s street savvy and style in branding Brooklyn can also be seen an 11 ultra-exclusive, high-end suites called The Vault, which cost around $550,000 at year, that include eight seats, access the the Barclays Center champagne bar and use of 24/7 concierge service as well as in his 40/40 restuarant Club & Restuarant, which is located above the main entrance of the colsieum.
Along with this, Jay-Z’s Rocawear appeal store will also open in the Barclays Center as well. With Jay’s successful transcition from a hustler to rapper to successful businessman, some still question his overall power with the Nets as well as his status of being called a partial owner, which according to the New York Times, he only owns one-fifteenth of one percent of the former New Jersey Nets team. The Brooklyn-born rap mogul, however, didn’t shy away from his critics and addressed the issue head on, as if, it was a part of some rap battle during the third night of his eight sold out performances at the Barclay Center.
“I look out here and see how far we’ve come. Still got a long way to go because everybody wants to diminish your accomplishements,”Jay-Z said to a sold out crowd.
“I look in the paper and I see ‘he only owns 1/15th of…first of I don’t know where they get that number from. But I’m cool with it. I know it’s not about me it’s about y’all.” said the 42-year old enternanuer. “They know if you see me standing here, they know it’s possible to achieve great things and will continue to do so. Don’t let anybody diminish your accomplishments. It’s our m*********g time now.”
But while Jay-Z claims not to have any problems, the Nets may have a few, especially with a projected starting five, which consists of Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Gerald Wallace, Chris Humphries, and center Brook Lopez.
Oddly enough, some NBA analysts think the Nets are the best team in New York, even without acquiring Dwight Howard.
Shockingly, the Nets high expectations maybe shattered by a Knicks’ team, who made the playoffs last year, as Carmelo Anthony, Amar’e Stoudmaire, and JR Smith join forces with veterans like Jason Kidd, Rasheed Wallace, and Marcus Camby this season.
If Mike Tyson could use it while entering the ring before knocking out opponents, the Brooklyn Nets should use it while they dribble on the court as well. Note: To the Brooklyn Nets’ if you do decide to use this song, I would love to be paid a consultant fee, or become a part of your marketing team. If Jay-Z can do it, so can I. I am Hustler baby.
I can be reached at lbiass34@yahoo.com
