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Wanabee NetsNuts?
[Ed. note: He's baaack! Yes, we know he gave up his season tickets out of spite for all the franchise misdeeds under Lou Lamoriello. Yes, he's pompous, self-serving and hyper-critical of the Net organization. But admit it, you miss the lunacy, don't you? The Nut is back, and while it doesn't quite have the feel of last season's "NetsNut vs. Puppet Guy" passion plays, suffice it to say that NJAmericans67 and NetsNut have a bone to pick with one another. First, here are NetsNut's latest mad ramblings...look for the inevitable NJAmericans67 comebacks in the next diatribe. Did somebody say, "What happened to the damned playoffs?"]
Joe:
What is going on with NJAmericans? Doesn't he understand that there will only be one "Imaginative and Creative" NetsNut?
I've gotten about 20 e-mails from JoeNetsFans and others wondering what his act is all about. I'm like the Howard Stern of JoeNetsFan. I'm an original, NJ. All others pale in comparison. You write long, drawn out e-mails, just like NetsNut, but without the punch and wit that I add. Your history lessons aren't anything "special" as you portray them to be. I've been around the Nets since 1971-72 and there isn't a person I know that doesn't work for them that knows them better than me. I've been friends with some of the "Secaucus 7," most of the players throughout the 70's and 80's, and some in the 90's, I know what the "TRUTH" is. All of your information can be pulled from the Nets Media guide that the Nets have made available for purchase in the last few years. Nets fans, you too can be a Nets historian, just like NJAmericans, even if you're 7 years old if you buy a Nets Media Guide. But who cares? I don't. I'm not impressed...I actually got a big laugh when someone pointed it out that he's a wannabe on JoeNetsFan's site!
Now back to more interesting stuff, me, "The Great and Caring" NetsNut!
Well, Nets fans, I'm back and I've been watching from afar and like I told all of you, I won't spent another dime on the Nets. And I haven't, as of yet...So far, I'm a man of my word! At least up till today. Honestly and surprisingly to me, it's not really bothering me that much – to not be at the games, that is.
Here's what I've been doing...
Game 1, having sold off my seats, I went to a local sushi restaurant and bought a $150.00 worth of sushi and sat and watched the game, with chopsticks of course, with my wife.
Game 2, I came home at 7:00pm, ordered pizza ($13.00) from Sciorintino's (the best pizza around) and sat down and watched the game and yelled at the TV time and again.
Game 3, I watched the game with a bottle of water ($1.39) and was wondering if Byron will do something to blow this one and low and behold a 19-point lead disappears. I'm not going to go into that one, you all saw the game.
Game 4: I got home after officiating 4 AAU State Tournament games (17u) and collapsed in front of the TV and watched a pretty entertaining game and had a submarine sandwich ($5.99). It's been actually very relaxing not bustling through the traffic, leaving for the game 2.5 hours before, getting pissed at ticket prices and when the games were over, I went to the bathroom and came back and listened to the game analysis. It was actually quite peaceful, plus I saved about $3,600.00! Not bad, huh?! I think I'm going to buy a huge flat-panel screen. It don't get any better than that!
I have to admit though, I miss the interaction with the other fans and friends from the arena. It was driving me NetsNuts not being there! Plus listening to NJAmericans' poor NetsNut impressions, I feel for all of your readers. Unlike NJAmericans, I like the arena staff, they have always been friendly with me, even if their clothes don't fit! Maybe because I'm friendly with them. Give JoeNetsFan credit though because he probably is cringing putting that crap up on his site. Joe's a cartoon figure of integrity though...(My shameless plug).
There's hope for some of you, I might go to a game or two after all. Some of my friends actually think the game is boring without me there and have requested that I "Get my butt" to a game!
I will probably show up to a few games and then I'll give the "real" skinny and pulse of the arena, no false bravado here. I'll be sitting next to JaRule and FatJoe (who is a buddy and I know quite well) and any other celebrity that comes to the games. Plus of course, I will harass the players from up close and personal, in a friendly way! Except if the Nets get the Celtics, then you all know there will be blood curdling screeches from the bitch from Boston (Antoine Walker) when he sees the "Manic and Crazy" NetsNut!
Now for the series. I knew you all wanted to hear about me first so I saved this for last!
The Nets will win in 6. Just like I sent to JoeNetsFan the Friday before the series started. Joe, the cartoon figure, not the man, didn't post that prediction because he wanted me, "The Great NetsNut" to put it all on the line for all the series of all the games. I told him, "I'm only going to do, one series at a time." You see, I'm like fine wine, you need to savor every sip, you can't just gulp it down. Now I don't drink and Joe will attest to that but I thought that was a pretty good analogy...
Now back to the series...
The "other" players, besides Kidd, are going to dictate the outcome of this series unless the Nets keep getting in crucial, "headcoachless" game-ending situations, like Game 4!
Kittles, Harris and Rogers, will be huge throughout this series. If they can give the Nets 32/34 points, combined, the Nets win the series and each game without any problem. By doing so, that means that the perimeter game is going and either Martin and Jefferson will have huge games. The Bucks have no interior defense and by hitting some perimeter shots that will even make them less effective.
Now for the Nets, it's a game of numbers. The Bucks are going to get their shots from three point land. If they make them or have a hot night, the Nets lose but law of averages is in the Nets' favor. Milwaukee lives and dies from the perimeter, just like Boston and they won't go far because of that. The Nets defense is playing pretty good right now too! So I have a lot of faith in their heart and passion to win. I'm just concerned that they still have a resentment brewing with Byron "The Moron" Scott and that is taking a little bit off the razor's edge that they will need to move on. The team is trying to work through this problem in spite of B. Scott. But as you all saw yesterday and even Ian "Cock-Eyed" Eagle said at the end of the game, "Why?" referring to Scott's bonehead play. Close games will be a problem without the proper leadership. Eddie Jordan is helpless in all this because he can't go over there and push Byron out of the way, which I'm sure he and every knowledgeable Nets fan, wants him to do and draw up a play that they have practiced over and over with him (Eddie Jordan) while Byron "Dopey/Sleepy" Scott is home napping! That's right Nets fans, there are times when the Nets practice and Coach "Moron" isn't there! Imagine that.
Look, I hope the Nets win it all...That would be great. But it just doesn't look like that can happen. Are they capable to do it this year? I think so. Will they? I don't think so. Scott will hamper this team. The bigger the games the more he'll want to put his fingerprints all over them. And unless it's a blowout win, the Nets will lose.
Let me give you all a NetsNut history lesson...
Believe it or not, there was a time when I supported Byron Scott, wholeheartedly! Once upon a time...
Rod Thorn chose him on the fateful June day and I went NetsNuts! Then he and others from the Nets said that Byron brings this and Byron brings that and I said, being "The Open-Minded and Kind" NetsNut that I am, "OK."
I went to the Shaw Summer League that year, in Boston, played golf with Byron, Rick Mahorn, Gar Heard and Eddie Jordan and found Byron to be a very pleasant guy. Gar Heard and Rick Mahorn are two of the nicest guys you ever want to meet too!
I thought, maybe this could work. Then the regular season started and I even gave Byron credit for some good coaching. Imagine that, NetsNut in Byron "The Moron" Scott's corner! Then one month into the season, Scott's first season, I saw what you all have been taught by me. I've been on his ass ever since then. It took the "Great and All-Knowing" NetsNut, one month to out this clown of a coach. Nothing personal "B." Everything I said in month one, I'm still saying... He hasn't changed one bit and doesn't understand how to coach any more than he did then.
I have to tell you all, I do miss being at the games. This is the first year that I went to under 35 games (only 23 games), ever since I'm a Nets fan. A part of my life has changed and I'm not feeling the Nets like I once did. They priced me out of the arena and pissed me off. I could afford to still go, but I can't justify spending all that money on basketball games anymore. I told you earlier, I save over $3,600.00 already and they are only in round 1! I did buy a new car, a new motorcycle and I'm putting an addition on my home this year with the money I'll save from not buying all those Nets tickets. So the trade off is pretty big. I've been battling with this for the last 10 years ever since they raised my front row seats to $100.00. I said back then I would never pay that for a basketball game, and I did! No more. It's easy for me to get courtside seats just about whenever I want, so I'll pick and choose my games from here on out and the Nets, the greedy son-of-bitches, that they are, will be the ones who suffer for it. I've been a loyal fan for years and that's something that the Nets have lost year after year in their struggle to make the Nets a corporate arena, with corporate sponsors. There is no more genuine "Customer Service" and definitely not, unless you're a corporate sponsor, "Customer Appreciation." In fact, on "Fan Appreciation Night" the Nets should have renamed that to "Corporate Customer Appreciation Night." They set up who was getting the team stuff well in advance and all of the recipients were corporate sponsors' kids! All of them.
Last thing, I still love the Nets and will always be a loyal fan but it's a different sports world that we live in today than when I grew up and honestly, it sucks for younger fans. They will never experience that closeness, or be able to meet stars of today because of MONEY. 99% of the fans will never be able to get to the lower level of any arena because of the prices. Everybody's got to get paid...That sucks! Well, they won't get paid from me, at least not anymore!!!
Now wasn't that entertaining, unlike that NetsNut wannabe, NJAmericans.
Tiny Bubbles, did you miss me? I know Joe does...
- NetsNut, April 27, 2003
NetsNut:
This has got to be the longest email we've ever received at JNF. And reading along, I picture a cabin in Montana and a fellow with a long, scraggly beard...just kidding. The passion, along with the insanity, certainly shine through on this one. The ever-full-of-integrity Joe Netsfan thanks you for your manifesto, and looks forward to NJAmericans67's response. Sure hope you're on the money with that "Nets in 6" prediction...
- Joe Netsfan
NetsNut:
No.
- Champagne
Bassett Vs. Binky
Joe:
Just me responding to the latest backlash.
Hey Binky the Clown, this site is all about "down with the clown." Taking down those silly banners from the rafters and putting up some championship banners. And now I would like to repsond to the comments that Brian Scalabrine should be allowed to wear my father's number. My father didn't play long enough with the Nets to warrant his number being retired, but he was a KEY component to an ABA championship, the last ABA championship that was ever won. I'm sure that if Scalabrine was given a good shot he could go out and play hard, but as of right now he deserves not to wear the number that once graced the back of my father.
I take nothing away from Veal...I like Veal..I just think he should wear another number. 22 is available.
- Tim Bassett, April 24, 2003
Tim:
You shouldn't even be in the position of having to defend your father, especially now that (or in spite of) NetsNut's official endorcement of him. Since the number isn't officially retired, we'll let Veal have it, I suppose. As long as he's respectful to the spirit of Tim Bassett, let's hope that Veal uses it wisely. And perhaps one day the number will again be part of a championship team.
- Joe
Eastern Conference Playoff Outlook
Joe:
NBA Eastern Conference Playoff Outlook
(as of April 23, 2003)
1. Detroit vs. 8. Orlando (1-1 tie) - This will really be an interesting series, if Ben Wallace gets matched up with Tracy McGrady. The league's best defensive stopper against the league's best offensive weapon. But so far, Wallace has kept in the paint. Big Ben has obviously been slowed by his knee injury, but he's still contained Drew Gooden, Orlando's X-factor. On the other side of things, the Pistons need to have both Richard Hamilton and Chauncey Billups going at the same time. If they get offensive from the backcourt, they should have no problem taking the series.
2. New Jersey vs. 7. Milwaukee (1-1 tie) - At this point, the Nets can do one of two things. They can fold and go on an infamous losing streak which will likely cost them their season, or they can bring some energy to the table, practice hard and pull off a repeat of Game 1. Jason Kidd's minutes will be cut, so Kenyon Martin and Richard Jefferson will have to step up their offense. Kerry Kittles will guard Gary Payton when Kidd's off the floor. The Bucks need Payton and Sam Cassell to have repeats of Game 2. Desmond Mason and Tim Thomas will need to have big games.
3. Indiana vs. 6. Boston (1-1 tie) - The Celtics are really going to need Paul Pierce to step up if they want to win this series. This is a very even matchup, and Pierce may be the deceisive factor. Antoine Walker and one other Celtic will need to carry the rest of Boston's offense. For Indiana, Jermaine O'Neal's been the clear MVP. O'Neal's put the Pacers on his back and carried them through both games. Still though, Indiana needs Reggie Miller and Brad Miller to pick up their games. Ron Artest is still griping about losing his Defensive Player of the Year Award to Ben Wallace. Let's see what he does about it.
4. Philadelphia vs. 5. New Orleans (2-0 PHI) - Let's just get this straight, as long as Allen Iverson is dominating the way he is right now, New Orleans doesn't have a chance. AI has blown by every defender thrown at him and embarrassed the Hornets' guards. If the beloved Keith Van Horn steps up, New Orleans shouldn't bother showing up. The Sixers' depth murders the Hornets'. More bad news for the Hornets, Jamal Mashburn has a finger injury, possibly shelving him along with Baron Davis. David Wesley has shown good scoring ability, but he can't run the point.
NBA Western Conference Playoff Outlook Coming Soon
- Matt King, April 24, 2003
Matt:
Nothing worse than having time-sensitive material not posted promptly. Again I'll apologize Matt – you make some good points, but time is proving your predictions a bit shaky at the moment. Look for Detroit and New Orleans to lose for sure, the Celtics to win, and the Nets/Bucks series to be a mystery right to the end.
- Joe
Ref This
Joe:
Usually I just keep quiet watching road games on TV, but George Karl's comment about refereeing is ridiculous. Come on, the technical on Jason Collins (instead of Sam Cassell getting kicked out), the Gary Payton flop, Aaron Williams being fouled by Tim Thomas while rebounding was called as A-Train's foul and at least three travels by Kukoc were not even called. I can go on and on. The Bucks got their share of help from the refs all night long. I almost crush my TV from the horrible calls all night long. The refs gotta do a better job calling the game, at least try to be fair or something. The games are ref-ed at a horrible level recently.
- Jacfield, April 25, 2003
Jacfield:
George wouldn't be George is he wasn't grousing about something. It's like having your father as your coach: there's always something you're going to hear about. But ol' George ain't dumb either . Maybe Byron Scott should be paying attention to him during the game. He might pick up a thing or two.
- Joe
Joe:
Man, who's a NetsNut Wannabe? Could you stick to the topic and not throw gratuitous Byron Bashing in every response? You and The Nut, get a room. Geez!
Still a believer,
- Champagne
Gabba Gabba Hey
Joe:
And you're a Ramones fan too. Boy, you guys are the coolest thing going.
- BigNetsfan, April 25, 2003
BigNetsfan:
I don't know how old you are, but if you came of age back in the early 80's and grew up in isolation a mere 30 miles from New York City like Champagne and I did, there was no way you couldn't have seen the Ramones dozens of times, often against your will and at ear-splitting volumes. I won't even tell you how many times we saw Joey or Dee Dee or Marky just hanging out in the Village bombed out of their minds. All I can say is, we survived, and the tunes are permanently implanted in our brains. Thanks for thinking we're cool even as we know we've now officially passed the point where anyone would consider us such.
- Joe
BigNetsfan:
Yeah, Joe and I were a big part of the CBGBs scene. Joe worked for Hilly keeping the bathroom spic-and-span, and I was a drug courier for the acts. That's how I got my nickname: I was always running over to Alphabet City for "Champagne." Anyway, once, Debbie Harry came on to Joe, but one of the Blondie guys got mad and dragged her out in the street and yelled at her. We were like, 14, but Joe went out there and told the dude to "cool it." He has been my hero ever since.
Patti Smith gave me a ride back to Jersey once, and there was a weird moment in the car when I could have gone for it.
You can see us both looking really confused in the background of one of Warhol's interminable films. Dude, we had no idea it was like, a gay thing. This was a different time. Nothing like that mattered back then. (Sidenote: the rumors are true: that's Joe's crotch on the cover of "Sticky Fingers.")
Joe and I cleaned up in the mid-80's and found sports. And here we are!
- Champagne
Abusing The Coach
Joe:
I told you so... Bricklayers, Bricklayers, Bricklayers. I looked up an old box score and there were two occasions of worse foul shooting than we saw in game four. One, Chris Dudley anytime, and only one other in the state of NJ history. It was in 1979 when the fifth grade girls team from Our Lady of Perpetual Helplessness bricked 9 out of ten in the fourth quarter vs. Central Jersey 10-yr-old girls All-stars, to lose by one at the buzzer.
Late game plays and adjustments my friends. Sound familiar? Lose game 5 and it's an early tee time for the Cigar Store Indian this year. Gary and Sam will not let you win a close-out game on their court (Game 6).
I guess my usual rounds of taking the pulse for JNF at Tuesdays game has been knocked off track. The cigar store Indian's coaching career has only been extended by a KMart tip in Game Three. I'll give him a tip: lose this series. You will be coaching at Morningside High School.
Remember...I told you you, not this year my friends. And Jason's Range Rover still has the California plates on it. The pulse for Tuesday's game? I' m Putting 911 on my cell phone speed dial.
- Njamericans67, April 27, 2003
Njamericans67:
I can't quite tell if this is about dumping on Scott (which it obviously is) or dumping on the whole organization. Someone's going to have to look themselves in the mirror and ask what happened if this series gets to a Game 7. But I'm afraid we're headed there. So, your big, bold prediction is what? The Nets won't win the championship this year? Kidd is going back to California because his Range Rover still has the plates? Wish I could figure it out...
- Joe
Karl's Komplaining
Joe:
What in the wide, wide world of sports is Karl komplaining about? Did he NOT see the exchange where Cassell, with one Technical already, pulled Twin down from behind, then shouted at him and hit him as they ran upcourt...and COLLINS go the technical??!?!?!? Holy crappy officiating, Batman!!! I can vouch for two Kukoc walks, obvious as they happened, laughably obvious on the replays. Then they start calling every Net drive an offensive foul in the fourth. Apparently, the TWolves (GO Wolves!!!) /Lakers game was also poorly officiated, what's up with that?
In all, this was more of a
- Fenfool, April 25, 2003
Fenfool:
We didn't. Shoot foul shots much? Hold on to your Nets hat, it's going to get interesting from here.
- Joe
Nut Know It All
Joe:
Obviously the JoeNetsFan website needs my help again when the lead backlash article is posted by NjAmericans!
I will be sending you interesting reading so your fans can wake up from the boring humdrum of NjAmericans history lessons and star sightings. I also didn't like his bashing of Tim Bassett. Tim was a blue collar player, like Buck Williams, who did the little things that made those Nets players around him better and teams competitive. If, in fact, NjAmericans was at those games, he would know that! I thank Tim's son for coming on JoeNetsFan and sticking it to the most cynical person I've never met! Does he have a kind word for anyone? Geez, he even picks on the guys in the parking lot! I wonder what he was like when he was a kid? Hmmm...
To NjAmericans, look in a mirror first, then talk about others when you see perfection. Always remember, no matter how hard you try, you will never measure up to "The Great and Almighty" NetsNut's toes. A step up for you would be the curb!
For the younger readers, you hang in there, I got your back. I forgot more than Njamericans swears he remembers or should I say copies from the media guides!
I'm the real "King" of the Meadowlands. Just ask Joe (NetsFan), he'll tell you. And as far as history, that's easy to research if you weren't there. I'm also kind to children and pets, unlike Nj (kick the dog and mock the children) Americans. I get along with all the arena staff, Nets personnel, Willis Reed and coaches and I really know all the dignitaries at the games, unlike Nj who swears he does. Just ask Joe(NetsFan) that is...
I'm looking forward to a Nets/Celtics series again. I think it will get great ratings and I also think I'm going to Boston to see them play there and while I'm there I'm going to pick on Antoine Walker and be a relentless pain in the ass to him. I'm offering my services to the Nets right now. So get me good seats!
Not to worry Nets fans. The Nets will turn up the defense for the next two games and shut out the Bucks. I got word from a reliable source (David Stern) that the series is over after Game 6.
Talk about name dropping. Let's name drop some more. Talk about switching gears.
Tonight I had dinner with Jason Kidd, at my palatial estate in Central NJ, when we finished we went out back to hit a few golf balls and talk some smack about Byron Scott. J. Kidd doesn't like "The Moron" at all. He loves that I call him that and thinks that is a fitting name to boot! He told me he doesn't care if I use his name on this site. In fact, he encouraged me to use it in hopes that Byron reads it.
By the way, did I mention that I hang out with Ed Frozen? He's the only other NetsNut contemporary in the Meadowlands that could be mentioned alongside the "Great NetsNut." He's more of a celebrity to me than anyone in the arena besides me, of course! And NjAmericans can't hang with either of us, nor shine our shoes.
We are both (Ed Frozen/The Great NetsNut) interviewed throughout the season by either TV, Newspapers, National rags and all that. NjAmericans? Not a chance! If he tells you different, he's full of it. All the local newspapers call me for quotes and stuff all the time. I even got phone calls from two reporters asking why I wasn't at the games. Look for an article in an NY and National newspaper about disgruntled Nets fans soon. I had a Boston paper call me today and ask my thoughts on another Nets/Celtics series. Does this happen to NjAmericans? No way. Take the pulse of the arena? Give me a break. Pulse this! Geez, I'm a celebrity to NjAmericans! He watches me at a game with binoculars more than the game itself. Maybe that's because I sit by Joumana!
Last thing for NjAmericans you shouldn't make fun of anyone. You must be a real obnoxious guy in person. I don't think I could stand sitting next to you. Remember, obnoxious is as obnoxious does!
How's that for all you young, energetic and new Nets Fans!!! Did I stick it up NjAmericans you know what or what?
What the hell's the difference if you've been a fan for 4 weeks or 40 years? If you ask me, none. Passion is passion. It has no age limits. Buy a Nets media guide on the Nets website: www.njnets.com and you could tell stories just as good as NjAmericans. Don't let him bully you around and if he does, just call me "The Insane and Crazy" NetsNut, I'll kick his ass for you!
Remember, there is only one original and that's me, "The Great and Original" NetsNut!
Cham "Tiny Bubbles" pagne, I'm just getting started on this topic. If it wasn't 12:00 midnight I'd stay up and write a whole backlash myself. I'm on a roll so don't mess with me...
Last thing and this time I mean it... I want to thank Mike McGann for his opinions, even when he doesn't agree with mine (he'll come around on all accounts eventually). He does a good job and he does it as a fan/reporter. I appreciate that as a reader...
Your Friend and Neighbor,
- NetsNut, April 28, 2003
NetsNut:
I'm guessing by this email that this is what it would be like if Anna Nicole Smith were a Netsfan. I'm literally speechless, NetsNut. Though I can vouch for much of what you say, I'm still amazed at the incredible mix of reality, fantasy and hyperbole. Were you hanging out with Jason Kidd? In your dreams, perhaps. You and David Stern? The only time you two will be seen in the same room is if he's pressing charges.
One thing you got right, for sure: McGann does a damned fine job and is the best thing to happen to this site (no, not "next to me" as you would say about yourself...).
Not sure where all of this comes from between you two, but it sure makes for damned fine theater. And here I am in the middle of it. I believe in letting everyone's voice be heard, so I want to hear from you, NJAmericans67, because it's getting personal. I expect the NetsNut/NJAmericans67 attack level to be raised to Orange after this "friendly" email.
- Joe "Your Friendly Peacemaker" Netsfan
NetsNut:
Either you're for real or you're a Rupert Pupkin-type. Either way, you're scary as hell. I hope and pray that you did have dinner with Jason Kidd and he did say those things. For society's sake.
- Champagne
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