Players and officials from New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets were full of praise after the first-ever derby between the sides was won by the Nets in a thrilling over-time clash 96-89.
The Nets relocated from New Jersey during the off-season, forming a genuine New York rivalry with the Nets winning the opener in front of more than 17,000 fans on a sellout occasion which delighted players such as 35-point star Carmelo Anthony.
“They’re across the bridge. They’re here in Brooklyn. We’re in the city. They’re in the same division, the same sports town. I guess you can say this started something,” Anthony said.
Meanwhile, Nets point guard Deron Williams added: “It was just a total 180 from what we saw last year, where it was mostly Knicks fans and all the chants and all the cheers were for them. It’s great to feel that we have a home-court advantage finally.
“This is what they talked about. I think this is what they visualized, was games like this.
“This was a playoff-type atmosphere. You could definitely feel it on the court and it was a great game to be a part of.”
The result sees the Nets move into top spot in the Atlantic Division and improve to a 7-1 record and coach Avery Johnson was delighted with that, along with the crowd’s help.
“Every time some sort of Knicks contingency started to cheer, our fans got louder,” Johnson said.