Highlights from the Hearings
Oct 14, 2009 Brooklyn, Bruce Ratner, Develop Don't Destroy
As has been noted around this site and others the past week, opponents of the proposed Atlantic Yards development in Brooklyn, which would feature a new arena for the Nets, got their day in New York State’s highest court today, arguing against the use of eminent domain needed in order to develop the project.
John Brennan’s report in the Bergen Record described the proceedings as a mixed bag for the opposition:
Attorney Matthew Brinckerhoff, who represented nine tenants and business owners within the project’s footprint, had barely begun his opening statement about possible violation of the “public use” clause of the state’s eminent domain law when he was interrupted by Chief Justice Jonathan Lippman.
Lippman pointed out that New York had steadily expanded the concept of “public use” over the years, and several others on the seven-member panel pursued that line of questioning.
The plaintiff was also questioned about whether or not the suit was filed too late:
“Isn’t it weird to have a six-month grace period on a 30-day statute of limitations?” asked Justice Robert Smith.
Meanwhile, Philip Karmel, representing the Empire State Development Corporation was also under fire from the justices:
Smith asked whether the state had “gerrymandered” an area combining blighted and non-blighted property to suit the desires of developer Forest City Ratner. The justices also suggested that the blight designation arose as a legal convenience only a couple of years after Ratner announced the proposal in 2003.
While there was initially speculation by some that this would be one of the last legal roadblocks thrown up by opponents over this move to Brooklyn, we saw earlier this week a new suit against the Metropolitan Transportation Authority protesting their sale of Atlantic Yards property to the developer. In other words, the fight goes on and Nets owner Bruce Ratner essentially has until the end of the year to get financing in place for this project or the whole deal will likely get scuttled.
Update:
Here’s a little color featuring the Atlantic Yards opponents before headed up to Albany this morning.
Nets on the Net: 10/14/09 Public Hearings Edition
Oct 14, 2009 Brooklyn, Courtney Lee, Devin Harris, Nets on the Net, Newark
Looks like Devin Harris will miss Friday’s game against the Knicks because of his newest injury.
In a must-read in the Star-Ledger, Steve Politi talks about the challenges both the Nets ownership, and opponents of the Atlantic Yards development face as this team tries to move to Brooklyn.
Daniel Goldstein, one of the primary opponents of the Atlantic Yards development in Brooklyn, outlines his case against the use of eminent domain by Forest City Ratner for Reason.com.
Ben Couch talks with Courtney Lee, who promises he can be a scorer for the Nets.
Newark Mayor Cory Booker calls Tuesday’s Prudential Center turnout of about 13,000 a “tremendous victory” for the city. The crowd was nearly triple what the Izod Center typically attracted during the preseason.
Another Nets preview, another cellar-dweller prediction.
Scouting the East: Toronto Raptors
Oct 14, 2009 Scouting the East
Team: Toronto Raptors
Last Year’s Record: 33-49 (4th, Atlantic Division)
Head Coach: Jay Triano
Comings: DeMar DeRozan, Hedo Turkoglu, Antoine Wright, Amir Johnson, Sonny Weems, Reggie Evans, Jaerrtt Jack and Radho Nesterovic.
Goings: Anthony Parker, Jason Kopano and Roko Ukic.
Bloggers Talk: Scott Phillips of Raptors Republic:
“What are my expectations of the Raptors this season? Balls out. Chris Bosh is the face of this franchise, is a top 12 player in the league, and is entering a decision-making year. GM Colangelo has gone out and spent millions to put pieces around Bosh but at the same time has protected us from the evil of CB4 leaving this team. Rebounding will continue to hurt us, as will perimeter defense and we will have to continue to outscore opponents rather than stop them.”
Raptors Republic on the Nets:
“I truly like the Nets, especially without Raptor-Killer Carter. I think TWill will surprise some people and CDR will have a solid season if he keeps his mind in the game. Having Rafer worries me as he was a loose cannon in Toronto and could hurt the locker room. You guys will defend the hell out of every team you face but struggle to score against most teams. I think the Nets finish 12th in the conference.”
Comparing the Starters:
Starting PG – Jose Calderon (12.8 ppg, 8.9 apg, 18.8 PER) vs. Devin Harris (21.3 ppg, 6.9 apg, 21.65 PER): One of the better point guards in the league, Calderon was second only to New Orleans’ Chris Paul in the John Hollinger metric pure point rating. Calderon also had one of the highest assist ratios in the league – which measures the percentage of a player’s possessions that ends in an assist. He’s a very accurate jump shooter, shooting over 40 percent from three-point land and more than 45 percent on long twos. He takes shots inside the paint 19 percent of the time, but had an effective field goal percentage of .764. He had an amazing year from the free throw line, shooting 98 percent last year. A hamstring injury limited his defense last year.
Advantage: Even. By importing Hedo Turkoglu, the Raptors have gien Calderon another target in the passing game and it may also allow him to spot up for more three-pointers, increasing his scoring average. Devin is the better scorer, but Calderon is the better passer and pure point guard. Thus, let’s call it a drawn.