A disappointing return for the Long Island Nets in Canada! The team's journey north didn't quite live up to expectations.
On Thursday night, the Nets faced off against the Wisconsin Herd, but this time, the court felt a little less like home. Instead of their usual Uniondale arena, they played in Place Bell, a court nestled in Laval, Quebec, nearly 400 miles away. It's a court they share with a much bigger dream - the hope of bringing an NBA franchise to Canada's second-largest city.
But here's where it gets controversial... While the Nets lost the game 108-101, the real story was the attendance. After last season's sell-outs, only 5,193 fans showed up, leaving the team and organizers scratching their heads.
Last season, Long Island attracted nearly 40,000 fans across six games, packing Place Bell to the rafters and selling out all their custom "Les Nets" merchandise. Morgan Taylor, who oversees the team's business operations, had set a target of over 7,000 fans again, but Thursday's game fell short of that mark.
And this is the part most people miss... Despite the low turnout, the Nets are determined to build a fan base in French-speaking Canada. With three more games in Laval this season, they still have a chance to turn things around.
On the court, Long Island was missing some key players, including the Flatbush Five and French-speaking Nolan Traore, who were all sidelined with ankle injuries. Associate head coach Shawn Swords, an Ottawa native, stepped up to welcome the crowd.
The Nets also had to deal with the absence of Jay Scrubb, who had an impressive game on Tuesday but then opted to play overseas for potentially better pay. Yuri Collins, their former starting point guard, left for Nes-Ziona in Israel, and his replacement, Jamal Mashburn Jr., only played a minute after joining from the Westchester Knicks.
So, with just nine players, including Mashburn, the Nets took on the Herd. Tyson Etienne and Chaney Johnson, both two-way players from Brooklyn, were in action, along with Nate Williams, who has become a reliable force for Long Island.
The Nets started strong, scoring the first eight points and shooting 55% from the field in the opening quarter. They dominated the paint in the first period, leading by as much as 14 points before taking a 29-21 advantage into the first break. But Wisconsin fought back, going on a 16-0 run in the second quarter, before the Nets closed the gap with a 7-2 run of their own.
In the third, Wisconsin went on another spurt, but Long Island fought back to keep the game tight, trailing by just three points, 78-75, going into the final frame. It was a closely contested fourth quarter, but Wisconsin held on for the win, despite all five of Long Island's starters scoring at least 15 points.
Tyson Etienne continued his hot streak, finishing second in scoring with 22 points and connecting on seven of his 13 shots, including five from beyond the arc. Chaney Johnson, in his fourth game for Long Island, contributed 15 points, but his shot selection needs work. He often tries to be the hero, and while it pays off sometimes, it can also lead to rushed shots and missed opportunities.
Nate Williams led Long Island with 23 points, but his ball protection needs improvement. He had four turnovers in the game, the most on the team, but his playmaking and defensive skills are top-notch, as evidenced by his five steals, the most on the team.
Trevon Scott, Long Island's big man, had a solid game with 17 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, while Malachi Smith, in his second start, continued to impress with 19 points and nine assists.
Victor Oladipo, an NBA veteran aiming for a comeback, led the Herd with 25 points, six assists, and four rebounds in 33 minutes off the bench.
So, what's next for the Long Island Nets? Will they bounce back from this disappointment? Catch the rematch against the Herd on Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET, and join the discussion! Do you think the Nets can rebuild their Canadian fan base? Share your thoughts in the comments!
