The Nets are going international again next season.
Brooklyn will play a regular season game against the Atlanta Hawks January 16 in London’s O2 Arena as part of the NBA Global Games, the team recently announced. The Brooklyn-Atlanta contest will be the league’s eighth regular season game played at the O2 Arena since 2007. It will be the team’s third trip to play in London. They played a preseason game in 2008 and two regular season games against the Raptors in 2011.
“It is always an honor to represent the league overseas,” said Nets guard Deron Williams. “Playing in London has a playoff-like intensity, and the energy in the building is great for the players on both teams. It should be very exciting.”
This is all part of owner Mikhail Prokhorov’s decision to extend the team’s brand internationally and widen its appeal. In 2010, the team played two preseason games in Beijing and Guangzhou in the NBA China Games. The Nets’ dance team, the Brooklynettes, has performed in seven countries over the past year. Also the Brooklyn Nets web site is available in Russian. Tickets for the London game go on sale in October.
“We are very excited to once again represent the NBA in London,” said Brooklyn Nets general manager Billy King. “The fans have always been very supportive, and we look forward to once again entertaining them with Brooklyn Nets basketball.”
Nets ink Plumlee: First round draft pick Mason Plumlee of Duke can officially call himself a Brooklyn Net. The 7-foot-2 forward/center, who was selected 22nd overall, agreed to a deal, the terms of which were not disclosed. Multiple news sources reported the package as being a standard rookie contract for four years with the first two guaranteed, and worth approximately $6.5 million. Plumlee will participate on Brooklyn’s entry in the 2013 Orlando Pro Summer League, which began on July 7.
“I’m so excited looking forward to summer league and camp,” Plumlee said after being drafted. “It’s coming at me real fast. I’m just excited about it.”
Brooklyn natives land in NBA Summer League: Former Abraham Lincoln guard Vincent Council, who played at Providence last season, will suit up for the two-time defending NBA champion Miami Heat in July’s Summer League. Fellow Brooklynite A.J. Matthews, a 7-footer who played last year at Farmingdale State, will take the floor for the Knicks this summer.
Reach reporter Joseph Staszewski at jstaszewski@cnglocal.com. Follow him on twitter @cng_staszewski.