The game that was supposed to kick off the Nets' new era in Brooklyn nearly a month ago will finally take place tonight. Initially scheduled for November 1st, the Knicks' first visit to the Barclays Center was postponed by Superstorm Sandy. Besides being the first time the crosstown rivals will face one another in Brooklyn, the game also has signifigance in the standings, where the 9-3 Knicks and 8-4 Nets are atop the Atlantic Division and trail only the Heat in the Eastern Conference.
As we await the evening's battle of New York, here are a few odds and ends from around the East:
- Michael Lee of the Washington Post explains how the six-year contract Gilbert Arenas signed back in the summer of 2008 continues to affect the Wizards.
- The Wizards' and Bobcats' diverging fortunes this season can be partly attributed to the teams' offseason roster building, according to ESPN.com's John Hollinger (Insider link).
- If the Sixers aren't comfortable committing to a long-term deal for Andrew Bynum next summer in free agency, there will be some alternatives on the free agent market, says John Smallwood of the Philadelphia Daily News.
- Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe spoke to Glen Davis about his time with the Celtics and his role with the rebuilding Magic.
- The Celtics signed Leandro Barbosa this fall to be a scorer off the bench, but the club has been impressed with his defense as well, writes Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com.