--The Nets' proposed move to Brooklyn received a major boost Tuesday when New York's highest court upheld the State's right to use eminent domain to remove residents and businesses that held out and tried to remain at the Atlantic Yards site. The New York State Court of Appeals voted 6-1 that the state could remove the holdouts. The project involves an arena for the Nets. The franchise is in the process of being sold by developer Bruce Ratner to Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov, who also wants the team in Brooklyn.
In a statement, Ratner said, "Once again the courts have made it clear that this project represents a significant public benefit for the people of Brooklyn and the entire city. Our commitment to the entire project is as strong today as when we started six years ago."
The Nets hope to play in Brooklyn in the 2011-12 season.
--The Lawrence Frank Watch is in full force. Players defend him -- and their best support is their continued spirited play. But the reality is that Frank's job security could end and he might be out of work by the end of the Nets' trip. If the Nets don't get at least one win in the four games, they will equal the all-time NBA record of futility to start a season, 0-17. Frank knows the situation.
"Look, I know I've got to produce. I take full responsibility," Frank said. "I'm not hiding anywhere. I say, 'Bring it on, put it on me.' To me, we embrace this as a coaching staff, as a team, as a big challenge. We're here to serve our guys. They're working their tails off. Now we just need to continue to get better. But I'm not absolving myself from anything. That record is indicative of where we're at and how I'm coaching, so we need to do better."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I'm in his corner." -- F/G Chris Douglas-Roberts, supporting Coach Lawrence Frank, whose job security has become tenuous at best through an 0-14 start.
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