NEW YORK (AP) - From high above a Brooklyn street, the view is of cranes and trucks maneuvering below, trains idling in the distance off to the left.From that very spot, Mikhail Prokhorov will soon watch his basketball team play.The New Jersey Nets Bruins Cam Neely Premier Jersey are perhaps the busiest team Bruins Terry O'Reilly Premier Jersey in a league Bruins David Krejci Authentic Jersey where work has stopped, the banging and clanging at the team's construction site some of the only sounds being heard in the NBA's mostly silent summer.And the lockout won't slow their momentum, because they're selling Brooklyn as much as basketball."People waited a long time not only for this venue, Authentic Terry O'Reilly Jersey but also for sports entertainment to return. What we've been selling for years is, Brooklyn is volume and variety, and that the building's bigger than basketball," Barclays Center chief executive officer Brett Yormark said. "It's not just one thing, a combination of all of them, so our story hasn't changed."The 1 billion arena is set for a September 2012 opening, and the Nets believe it will provide them with the type of home-court environment they never enjoyed in New Jersey, for long at the Meadowlands and now Swingman Jason Kidd Jersey at their temporary home in the Prudential Center.From the moment J.J. Barea Official Jersey Bruce Ratner bought the team in 2004, he planned to get them out of there and to Authentic Patriots Jerseys the borough where he first built a quarter century ago. Lawsuits and a recession delayed his plans until Prokhorov, a billionaire from Russia, bought the majority of the team and a share of the development project, paving the way for a dream that seemed stalled."This is a sports town," said Ratner, who is chairman and CEO of Forest City Ratner Companies and developer of the arena while retaining a portion of the team. "This location, the subway location was extraordinary, Authentic Marc Savard Jersey and we felt that the name Brooklyn resonated throughout the world as its own brand."The Nets Ray Bourque Jersey White have tumbled toward the bottom of the NBA since their run to two straight NBA finals in 2002-03, finishing with one of Premier Terry O'Reilly Jersey the worst records in league history two seasons ago when they went 12-70. But just as things hit their lowest point on the David Krejci Jersey Yellow court, their future started to pick up.Work finally began in March 2010, though only on one side of the site while remaining tenants lasted another two months Bruins David Krejci Premier Jersey on the other, causing part of the Jason Kidd Official Jersey arena to be Authentic Jason Kidd Jersey clearly ahead of the other. It has remained on schedule since, Ray Bourque Jersey Yellow despite Swingman J.J. Barea Jersey the challenges of building in the tight space of what would be the nation's fourth-largest city if it were one.Two streets had to be closed and utilities had to be moved. Long Island Rail Road trains that used to rest where the Bruins Ray Bourque Premier Jersey arena will sit when not in use are now parked in the distance. As part of the project, a subway stop for Authentic David Krejci Jersey nine lines will be expanded, allowing travelers to stay underground until arriving at the Barclays Center's plaza entrance."Urban projects are particularly difficult, because as Bruce has pointed out earlier, you're shoehorning them into asymmetrical kinds of conditions, often immediately adjacent to transit hubs," said Bob Sanna, in charge of the Barclays Center construction."In this particular case we're surrounded by subways, so when you excavate adjacent to a subway, or to a railroad or to any tunnel, it introduces a level of complexity. You can't just go out there with a shovel and dig it. You have to plan how you're going to support the dirt and those kinds of things."Ratner, an Ohio native who first worked for the city after coming to New York 44 years ago, said he was always "fascinated" by Brooklyn Authentic J.J. Barea Jersey and used to pitch businesses to relocate or remain there."I used to sell Brooklyn in 1986 by saying downtown Brooklyn is the best downtown in America," Ratner said. "And companies would look at me and I'd say here's why: best transportation system, beautiful parks, has more college students than Cambridge, Mass; restaurants and diversity and brownstones, and people live in the downtown. I always thought it had tremendous opportunity for almost anything."And it will have a large presence in the arena, with the facade being set just this week allowing for open views of Atlantic Avenue. Pictures of the court in the Barclays Center brochure show "Brooklyn Nets" lining both baselines - even though they will eventually need league approval to adopt that as their Bruins Terry O'Reilly Authentic Jersey name.The Nets are eager to show off the arena's progress, believing it can entice players now that they're ready to spend again thanks to Prokhorov's deep pockets. The delays in getting it built may have cost the Nets in their pursuit of Carmelo Anthony, Mavericks Dirk Nowitzki Swingman Jersey who said players would always wonder about the Brooklyn move because they couldn't see it - something Ratner understands."Having skepticism by anybody is understandable and it's like Mavericks J.J. Barea Authentic Jersey when you build a house. Until it really gets framed up, you don't really believe it's happening," he said. "Now that they see it, they are amazed at how large at is. I think seeing it is believing."Sales of premium seats have David Krejci Jersey Black already started, and Yormark has been pleased with the number purchased by Brooklyn residents, proving there's money there to spend in the lounges and restaurants. Basketball is an obvious focus - the arena's scoreboard and a practice court below will be visible from the lobby entrance - but there will be concerts, the circus and boxing, with Yormark Terry O'Reilly Official Jersey saying 163 dates have already been booked."Brooklyn certainly deserves the best of entertainment there is to offer," he said.Ratner remembers when Brooklyn had it, when the beloved Dodgers played at Ebbets Field and top musicians performed at the Paramount. He believes the Barclays Center will bring back what's been missing."Sports and entertainment are such a part of our lives in this country. People who say, 'Well, it's just an arena,' they're really not right," Ratner said. "It's a physical structure. More than that, it's a part of ourselves, it's part of what entertainment is and everyone loves entertainment."---Follow Brian Mahoney on Twitter:
UpdatedJul 31, 2011 4:42 PM ETFormer NBA Authentic Tim Thomas Jersey player Samaki Walker tried to eat marijuana during a traffic stop in Kingman, Ariz., on Thursday, according Terry O'Reilly Jersey Black to a newspaper Fanzz Jerseys Online report. NOT SO BRIGHTFind out who tops our list of the most stupid athletes in sports.The Las Vegas Review-Journal Mavericks Shawn Marion Swingman Jersey reported that Walker, who retired after the 2005-06 NBA season, swallowed the pot as a Department of Public Safety officer walked toward his 2002 Mercedes-Benz, Arizona officials allege.Arizona authorities also allege they seized about 10 grams of marijuana, some prescription drugs and eight bottles of liquid steroids from the vehicle, the newspaper reported.Walker, who played for six teams in 10 NBA Mavericks Jason Kidd Authentic Jersey seasons, allegedly indicated to the officer that he uses steroids because he plays professional basketball in Syria. Though steroids are legal in Syria, according to Walker, possession is a misdemeanor in Arizona, police said.Walker, who Cam Neely Jersey Yellow played with the Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Washington Wizards and Indiana Pacers, was booked on drug charges, according to the newspaper. Bond was reportedly set at $2,000 along with an Aug. 5 preliminary hearing.
Update:Kanes wrist surgery Tuesday was a success and he should be fully Authentic Phil Esposito Jersey cleared for workouts in six-to-eight weeks, the Hawks official site reports.Recommendation:Hell begin modified preseason workouts Patrice Bergeron Jersey Black before then, which puts Kane on track to be 100 percent by the time the Zdeno Chara Jersey Black regular season gets underway in early October barring a setback in the coming months.
Former Victoria Salmon Kings Bruins Milan Lucic Authentic Jersey head coach Mark Morrison’s career is headed coast Bruins Marc Savard Premier Jersey to coast, one rock to another.The Winnipeg Jets Patrice Bergeron Jersey White of the NHL went with the familiar and proven in hiring Morrison as the assistant coach of their American Hockey League farm team in St. John’s. “The plan is Premier Milan Lucic Jersey have continuity through the transition,” Jason Terry Jersey Green said Morrison, who is Milan Lucic Jersey Green well known within the Jason Kidd Jersey Sky Blue Jets’ ownership company True North Sports and Entertainment.Morrison got to know the organization as head Official Milan Lucic Jersey coach the past five Marc Savard Jersey Yellow seasons of the Salmon Kings, ECHL affiliate of the now-defunct True North-owned Manitoba Moose Premier Patrice Bergeron Jersey of the AHL in Jason Kidd Jersey Green the Vancouver Canucks’ former minor-pro system. Both the Moose and Salmon Kings have folded, the former Premier Phil Esposito Jersey supplanted in Winnipeg by Patrice Bergeron Official Jersey the Jets Mavericks Jason Kidd Swingman Jersey and the latter in Jason Kidd Jersey White Victoria by the in-coming Royals of the Western Hockey League.“I already know much of the on- and Patrice Bergeron Jersey Yellow off-ice personnel and feel very comfortable with the Winnipeg organization,” said Morrison. “What they’ve done is shown loyalty and that’s important in hockey.”Keith McCambridge, Moose assistant coach the past two seasons, will be the Authentic Shawn Marion Jersey head coach of the Jets’ new AHL affiliate in St. John’s. Former Moose head coach Claude Noel has moved up to become head coach of the Milan Lucic Jersey Black Jets.McCambridge, Mavericks Jason Terry Swingman Jersey former head coach of the ECHL Alaska Aces, and Authentic Milan Lucic Jersey Morrison Patrice Bergeron Jersey Green were once coaching foes.“We have worked well the past two years at Bruins Patrice Bergeron Authentic Jersey Canucks prospect Bruins Patrice Bergeron Premier Jersey camps and in the Salmon Kings-Moose relationship,” Jason Terry Jersey White said Morrison. “It will be a good partnership.”?
CHICAGO (AP)Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane(notes) had surgery to repair abroken bone in his left wrist.Team physician Dr. Michael Terry says in Jason Kidd Jersey Blue a statement Tuesday that theoperation to repair a scaphoid fracture Official Patriots Shop in the right wings left wrist wentwell and a full recovery is expected. Terry says Kane will start modified workouts shortly and resume fullactivity in six-to-eight Jason Terry Jersey Sky Blue weeks.The Blackhawks disclosed the injury last week, saying it was discoveredrecently during offseason training. Kane was second on the team last seasonbehind Jonathan Toews(notes) with 73 points, including 27 goals.
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SUNRISE, Fla. Bruins Cam Neely Authentic Jersey (AP)The Authentic Milan Lucic Jersey Florida Panthers have signed defenseman ErikGudbranson(notes) to an entry-level contract.Gudbranson Terry O'Reilly Official Jersey was Authentic Bobby Orr Jersey the teams first-round pick in the 2010 draft, Nathan Horton Jersey Green going thirdoverall. The 19-year-old David Krejci Jersey Yellow from Patrice Bergeron Jersey White Ottawa, Ontario, had a goal and an assist, alongwith 17 penalty minutes, in Bruins Terry O'Reilly Authentic Jersey six preseason games with Florida last fall. Gudbranson played for Kingston in the OHL last season, finishing with 12goals, 22 assists Milan Lucic Jersey Black and 105 penalty minutes in 44 games.He also played for Canada at the world junior championships this year,helping win a silver medal.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)The Carolina Hurricanes have reached deals Bruins Milan Lucic Authentic Jersey with forwardChris Durno(notes), Patrice Bergeron Jersey Yellow left wing Brett Sutter(notes) and defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti(notes) forone-year contracts.Durno, 30, signed a two-way deal for $525,000 on the NHL level and Marc Savard Official Jersey $105,000on the American Authentic Zdeno Chara Jersey Hockey League level. There is a guarantee of at least $140,000for the season. Sutter, Premier Marc Savard Jersey 24, re-signed for $525,000 on the NHL level or $75,000 in the AHLwith a guarantee of at least $105,000.Sanguinetti, 23, agreed to a deal that will pay him $600,000 in the NHL and$62,500 at the Premier Bobby Orr Jersey minor-league level.
UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP)The New York Islanders say they have agreed withforward Jeremy Colliton(notes) on a one-year, two-way contract.Financial terms werent released Thursday. The 25-year-old Colliton had two goals and one assist in 15 games with theIslanders last season. He also had 18 goals and 27 assists in 53 games with NewYorks AHL Bridgeport affiliate. Colliton is the career leading scorer atBridgeport with 176 points66 goals and 110 assistsin 285 games.Colliton was selected by the Islanders in the second round of the Bobby Orr Jersey White 2003 draftwith the No. 58 pick. In 57 career NHL games with New York, Colliton has threegoals Cam Neely Jersey Yellow and three assists. He spent Authentic Ray Bourque Jersey the 2009-10 season in the Swedish Elite Leaguebefore returning to the Islanders organization in 2010-11.
MONTREAL (AP)The Montreal Canadiens acquired Mark Mitera(notes) from the AnaheimDucks for fellow defenseman Mathieu Carle(notes) on Friday.Mitera played 71 games with the Syracuse Crunch of the American HockeyLeague in 2010-11, recording 22 points (six goals, 16 assists). The 24-year-oldwas drafted in the first Bruins Cam Neely Premier Jersey round, 19th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in 2006. Carle played 223 career regular-season games with the AHLs HamiltonBulldogs, recording 97 points Tim Thomas Jersey White (30 goals, 67 assists).He also suited up for three NHL games with the Canadiens in 2009-10. Carlewas drafted in the second round by the Canadiens, 53rd overall in 2006.
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP)The Edmonton Oilers have re-signed Nathan Horton Jersey Black defensemanTaylor Chorney(notes) and center Ryan Premier Zdeno Chara Jersey OMarra(notes) to one-year deals.The 24-year-old Chorney had a goal and three assists in 12 games for theOilers last season. He has one goal and six assists in 56 career games sincebeing drafted by Edmonton Bobby Orr Jersey Black 36th overall in the 2005 entry draft. OMarra, also 24, had one goal and four assists in 21 games for Edmonton David Krejci Jersey Black in2010-11. The 15th overall pick in the 2005 draftby Cam Neely Official Jersey the New York Islandershas one goal and five assists in Bruins Marc Savard Premier Jersey 24 career games.
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NEWARK, N.J. (AP)The New Jersey Devils signed Swedish defenseman AdamLarsson, the No. 4 pick in last months Bruins Tyler Seguin Authentic Jersey NHL draft, on Friday to a three-year,entry-level Tyler Seguin Jersey Green contract.Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello announced the deal during a conferencecall, hours Cam Neely Official Jersey before a league deadline for players under contract in Europe tosign in order to be eligible to play in North America in the upcoming season. Lamoriello Bruins Ray Bourque Premier Jersey says Patrice Bergeron Jersey Green Larsson, the top defenseman chosen in the draft, received asigning bonus but not any individual rookie bonuses.Getting a Phil Esposito Jersey White young player to understand and agree to (no rookie bonuses) David Krejci Jersey Yellow andalso his representation, this young man is as mature Phil Esposito Jersey Black as he can get at his age,Lamoriello said of the 18-year-old Larsson. He made a decision to forego allof those bonuses to get this signed, to get his career under Bruins Cam Neely Authentic Jersey way and to become aDevil and just get ready for training campLarsson will likely play in either the NHL or AHL this season.If thats the best thing for his development, Lamoriello said. If wethought that something else was, then wed do that, but its our Tim Thomas Jersey Black intention andits his Patrice Bergeron Official Jersey intention to be Bruins Phil Esposito Authentic Jersey in North America.Larsson is the Tyler Seguin Jersey Black fifth player chosen in the first round to reach a deal withhis new team.
Former Edmonton Oilers head coach Craig MacTavish is one of several candidates Authentic Bobby Orr Jersey in the running to coach the Vancouver Canucks' AHL affiliate in Chicago, says Canucks Bruins Patrice Bergeron Authentic Jersey assistant GM Laurence Gilman. VANCOUVER — Vancouver Canucks assistant general manager Laurence Gilman denies that Craig MacTavish Tim Thomas Official Jersey has been hired to coach the Chicago Wolves, but said the former Edmonton Oilers coach is one of several candidates the Canucks have interviewed for their American League opening.MacTavish coached the Oilers for eight seasons and took Edmonton to the Stanley Cup final in 2006. But he has Premier Terry O'Reilly Jersey been out of the Premier Nathan Horton Jersey National Hockey League for two years, failing to land any of the handful of NHL coaching jobs Bobby Orr Jersey Black filled since last season.The Wolves head coaching position Bruins Tyler Seguin Premier Jersey should be an appealing one. Chicago is Ray Bourque Jersey Yellow one of the AHLs Bruins Tim Thomas Authentic Jersey premier franchises, and the last four minor-league coaches for Vancouver have jumped to NHL jobs. “The importance of this job to the David Krejci Jersey Black organization is extremely high,” Gilman said today. “We want to make sure we bring the right individual into our group and well take whatever time is necessary to make the right decision.”Claude Noel left the Canucks without a minor-league coach when he was named head coach of the Winnipeg Jets, which Bruins Marc Savard Premier Jersey replaced Premier Bobby Orr Jersey Vancouvers farm team in Manitoba.MacTavish, 52, has been working as a television analyst.
CALGARY, Alberta (AP)The Flames re-signed defenseman Brendan Mikkelson(notes) toa one-year deal and came to terms with center Max Reinhart on a three-year,entry-level contract.Mikkelson had one assist in 19 games with Calgary last season after he wasclaimed off waivers from Bruins Phil Esposito Premier Jersey Anaheim in October. He agreed Thursday to Tim Thomas Jersey Green a two-waydeal worth $721,900. Mikkelson, 24, has six assists in 86 NHL games. He was Authentic Milan Lucic Jersey chosen by Anaheimwith the No. 31 pick in the 2005 draft.Reinhart had 34 goals and 45 assists with Western Hockey League Authentic Nathan Horton Jersey championKootenay last season. He was chosen by the Flames with the No. 64 Authentic Terry O'Reilly Jersey pick in lastyears draft.