The Brooklyn Nets last night played their first regular season home game at the new Barclays Center, a 107-100 victory that provided a bright spot to fans seeking to slam-dunk post-Sandy blues.
Robert Gomez and his son, John, 18, went on a guys’ night out to the game against the Toronto Raptors — forgetting for a few precious hours the four feet of water that had invaded their Coney Island residence during the massive storm.
“We decided to make the best of a bad situation and get our minds off home,” said Robert, 52.
Pedro Azua went to Barclays Center with pals from Union City, NJ, to celebrate his 21st birthday — spending more than two hours in transit after spending much of the week with no electricity.
“It was such a real hustle to get here, but it feels great,” he said. “We’re huge Net fans, and I’d rather be here than at any bar.”
Before tip-off, NBA Commissioner David Stern told Jay-Z, a part-owner of the team, the rapper’s wife Béyoncé, and the rest of the sold-out crowd, “I’m happy to be in Brooklyn to celebrate the resiliency of this community and the return of pro sports” to the borough.
Borough President Marty Markowitz, who fought hard to bring the former New Jersey team to Brooklyn, said the game was 55 years in the making.
“Tonight the ghosts of Ebbets Field will be banished forever,” said Markowitz, referring to the Dodgers leaving Brooklyn for Los Angeles in 1957.
Two members of that Dodger team — pitcher Ralph Branca and catcher Joe Pignatano — were on hand to welcome the Nets to Brooklyn.
The Nets were originally scheduled to open Thursday against the rival Knicks, but that game was postponed following the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.