As noted in the first iteration of this poll, aesthetics mean a lot to Brooklyn Nets fans. The team has moved and rebranded each time — from Long Island to New Jersey to Brooklyn. They turned from the elites of the ABA to laughingstock of the NBA, but don’t get it mistaken: the Nets and Dr. J (Julius Erving) are often credited with the red, white, blue vintage look of the ABA. Look no further than the Orlando Magic schedule release for the Nets.
With all of this being said, the Nets play a bigger
part in the culture of the game than most probably realize. Their uniforms, court designs, etc. have been at the center of a lot of conversations. It’s fun. And yes, it does matter — to the fans!
As noted, the Nets moved to Barclays Center in Brooklyn and the team needed a distinct identity. They introduced the NBA’s first herringbone court — a fresh visual design that quickly became synonymous with ‘Brooklyn Grit.’
“We wanted a court that was identifiable and different, so that when fans turn on the TV at home they’ll realize they are in Brooklyn,” said then-Nets CEO Brett Yormark.
Fast forward to 2019: Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving just joined the team. The Brooklyn Nets were/are trying to attract Gen Z and young audiences — this was their opportunity to shift to a trendy “millennial gray” type of vibe. The current court still has herringbone designs, though they aren’t quite as clear as the original court. Furthermore, the New York Liberty’s seafoam is an absolute beaut during summer hoops in Brooklyn.
The idea was probably correct, and Sean Marks emphasized a desire to make Barclays Center “brighter without using super bright colors.” Unless the Nets are shuffling a throwback court, Coogi trims, KAWS themes — anything without color seem to fall flat on TV.
Simply put: An overwhelming amount of Nets fans (on NetsDaily) want the original herringbone court back.
The Verdict on the Nets Court Design
We turned the floor over to you to settle a long-standing debate: should the Brooklyn Nets return to their inaugural herringbone hardwood, or stick with the current “industrial” grayscale aesthetic introduced in 2019? Out of 92 voters, 85% favor the original design, and fans are calling for a return to the roots of the Barclays Center identity.
Here is how the NetsDaily community feels about the state of the court.
(Comments via Article and The Feed).
The Case for Original Herringbone
- The Duke of Earl: “I’m a Sean Marks fan boy. A big fan. I believe he’s done a fantastic job here in Brooklyn. However he made a mistake on this one. I like and understand the concept of the gray court representing the city game of street basketball(playground basketball)that was started here in Brooklyn in fact. That makes a lot of sense. However he had a really good and unique thing going with the beautiful herringbone. It was becoming Brooklyn very much like the parquat in Boston. Not to compare the respective franchises mind you. In retrospect the herringbone had become much more identifiable and attractive than the gray court will ever be. All the fans hate it. That should be enough quite frankly. Admit a miscalculation. Correct it and bring back the herringbone.”
- NetsInSwish: “The Herringbone created a Brooklyn identity…the Grayscale is just another boring version of Millennial Grey for the sake of current thematics with my generation lol”
- BKtoDuval: “The herringbone had the chance to be iconic, if this team ever got good. I liked it better. Also love the Coogi court”
The Case for Grayscale
- CaryNC: “Grey for sure! It looks better with the logo too.”
- jrichter8: “The current court IS herringbone, it’s just been stained a greige (grey-beige) color which goes better with the black and white uniforms.”
- BrooklynBuckets: “I like the current court. 🤷🏽”
Thanks to everybody who voted and/or participated.
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