Despite the cacophony of criticism that the Brooklyn Nets don’t draw loud fans to the arena, it’s worth noting that before almost every home game in the past three years, Barclays Center’s upper rafters, AKA the Brooklyn Zoo, were filled close to the brim, even as the lower-decks slowly filled over the first half.
But for a Friday night matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, one of the league’s worst teams, even the upper decks were half-full at best as the game kicked off. (For what it’s worth, the Nets officially listed the attendance at 16,172, which makes sense if you include the fans watching at nearby bars.)
After a dull first half between two underwhelming teams going nowhere, and a joke tweet from a fan in the arena, it led me to wonder:
Nets fans who are here: why are you here?
— devin kharpertian (@uuords) January 10, 2015
Here’s what I found out.
Some enjoyed a cheap night out:
@uuords tickets were $16 bucks
— Joe Castronovo (@Castro880) January 10, 2015
@uuords cheap tickets. and masochism
— Matt A.V. (@NotEvenTryingS) January 10, 2015
While at least one person went in blindly.
@uuords forgot to check the opponents before I accepted the tickets…
— Greg Schwartz (@gooner_ny) January 10, 2015
Nonetheless, there was hope…
@uuords bc I like watching wins and they have a good chance of winning tonight… Ummm I think
— Evan Roberts (@JoeandEvan) January 10, 2015
I think it was the cheap tickets & the feeling that the Nets actually have the opportunity to win a game, @uuords. — JRSIV (@JRSIV81) January 10, 2015
And bonding…
@uuords friends back home from college, getting some bonding in
— Moe (@moe_1226) January 10, 2015
And celebration, kind of.
@uuords "great Christmas present Mom" – -me right now
— Chris Dorian (@EatAllThePizza) January 10, 2015
@uuords for my birthday. Wish I was kidding
— Jack Delaney (@Gene_Parmesan2) January 10, 2015
@uuords Christmas present, also this is my first love NBA game
— Alfonso (@Fonzi93) January 10, 2015
There was also recognition that the Nets, if only the organization and not the current on-court product, do right by their season ticket holders.
@uuords been a season ticket holder since 12-70 season. Loyal fan who loves what the organization represents. They take care of me. — So smooth (@BiggHall) January 10, 2015
…Even if some acknowledged the problem…
@uuords love for nets and season tickets. Also I have a passion for bad basketball.
— Matt Weinberg (@Matt_Weinberg) January 10, 2015
And some just skipped out.
@uuords I couldn't bring myself to make the five minute walk. Worst NBA game of the year?
— Zach Lee (@rightfieldsucks) January 10, 2015
After the loss, hope had subsided.
Hey @uuords, notice how I was careful to say "opportunity" to win. Love the Nets but this is a bad basketball team. — JRSIV (@JRSIV81) January 10, 2015
