If the New Orleans Hornets can become the Pelicans, who knows what the Kings might become. And in Brooklyn, it's time for the Nets to change their name.
As a Brooklyn native, I was thrilled when the borough finally got an NBA team, which plays at Barclays Center on Atlantic Avenue, a 20-minute walk from my dad's home.
But the Brooklyn Nets? Fuggedaboutit.
The Nets were born the New Jersey Americans in 1967; became the Nets; moved to Long Island, where Dr. J led them to ABA titles in 1974 and '76; and returned to Jersey. But Jersey ain't no Brooklyn.
We could name the team after our cuisine. How about the Brooklyn Calzones or the Brooklyn Heroes? Not as good as Brooklyn Slices, the best. I can hear Marv Albert now: "Deron Williams slicing to the hole, dishes to Gerald Wallace, who throws it down with extra peppers!"
Brooklyn Wiseguys shoot first and ask questions later, but could draw technicals or federal investigations. Brooklyn Accents sounds nice, but we need a name that soars to the rack.
Let's go with Brooklyn Eagle, after the great afternoon tabloid once edited by homeboy Walt Whitman. In da 'hood, Eagle can also mean money – $10 gold – such as "Eagle Flies on Friday, and Saturday I Goes Out to Play," from the blues classic "Stormy Monday." "Joe Johnson shoots – money!"
Money is something owner Mikhail Prokhorov has plenty of – $13.2 billion plus the $200 million he paid in 2010 for 80 percent of the Nets and 45 percent of Barclays Center.
One thing you can take to da bank – the Brooklyn Eagle or Slices are playoff-bound. Know what I'm talkin' 'bout?
Weekend poll
Where will you watch the Super Bowl?• Quietly at home.
• At my party.
• At a friend's party.
• At a sports bar.
• I won't watch it.
Vote above or leave your comments in the comments field; or go to www.sacbee.com/sports.
Friday's results
Who was the area's most entertaining high school basketball player?• Matt Barnes: 3%
• Monty Buckley: 3%
• Bill Cartwright: 16%
• Isaac Fontaine: 42%
• Kevin Johnson: 20%
• Ernest Lee: 9%
• Nomo Williams: 2%
• Other: 5%
Total votes: 594
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