Nets officials yesterday gave The Post an exclusive first look at the team’s new basketball court at Barclays Center, boasting it includes a “one-of-a-kind” herringbone pattern of wood panels that stands out above anything hoop fans have ever seen.
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“We wanted a court that was identifiable and different, so that when fans turn on the TV at home they’ll realize they are in Brooklyn,” crowed Nets/Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark. “This court does exactly that.”
Yormark also said there’s a “bold, dark, gritty feeling” to the court that “blends nicely with the entire motif” of the 18,200-seat arena.
“It’s is our version of the [Boston Celtics] parquet floors,” he said.
At center court is the Nets’ circular, black-and-white logo with the iconic “B” inside, surrounded by the words “Brooklyn New York.” The logo is flanked on two sides by the “Barclays Center” name in powder-blue lettering.
The court, which was laid out over a four-hour period Sunday night, consists of 240, four-foot by seven-foot Hardwood Maple panels weighing 185 pounds each. The panels create V-shaped patterns through a herringbone design.
The design, fashioned by Yormark and the club’s marketing team, had to pass strict NBA testing to ensure it doesn’t look blurry on television.
Both baselines are black with “Brooklyn Nets” boldly spelled out in white lettering. To further promote the team’s new brand, the @BROOKLYNNETS Twitter name is spread along a black-colored out-of-bounds area by the visitor’s bench while the team’s web address is spelled in the same white lettering by the home club’s bench.
The Nets get to take their first shots at Barclays Center Oct. 15 in an exhibition game against the Wizards. Their first regular-season test at the new digs comes Nov. 1 against the Knicks.
The court, produced by Connor Sports Flooring Manufacturing Mill in Amasa, Mich., also is the NBA’s first with black-colored keys (free throw lines), Yormark said.
Below the court and currently out of site is an ice hockey rink installed last week. The Islanders and Devils on Oct. 2 are scheduled to play an exhibition game at Barclays Center — provided there is no NHL lockout.
Area officials are trying to convince the Islanders to move to Brooklyn when the team’s lease with Nassau Coliseum ends in 2015.
The Nets’ previous basketball court at Prudential Center in Newark has been removed. It will be repainted — the old New Jersey Nets logo wiped away — and re-used for college games at Barclays Center.
WRITTEN BY RICH CALDER – [email protected] & FULL STORY HERE
Lead Photo Via DBD
