The Nets spending Veterans Day practicing at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn — then spending the afternoon with the troops there — wasn’t an idea that came together in the space of a few days.
In fact, the process has been in the works since the summer, thanks to U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Derek Bishop, a Huntington Station native stationed in Orlando, Fla.
Once Bishop, who said he helps coordinate the color guard for several Nets games throughout the season, heard the Nets wanted to do a community event with service members, he sprang into action.
“They contacted me, and I hit the ground running and contacted Fort Hamilton,” Bishop said after the Nets finished up practice at the fort Monday. “It was about a three-month process and a lot of red tape, but we pulled it together and here we are.”
On behalf of the five branches of the armed forces, Bishop presented the Nets with a flag that had flown over the World Trade Center on the morning of the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Before that, the team took a picture with the service members who had watched practice. Bishop said roughly 15 of such flags are in existence, with most having been given to families of victims.
“We felt that, as all five branches of the armed forces, there was no better reason to present one than today,” Bishop said, “because for the Brooklyn Nets to come out here to show their appreciation is second to none. So I hope the flag flies proudly in the Barclays Center.”
For the Nets, who served food to the troops after practice, it was a chance to unwind after a bumpy 2-4 start to the regular season, as well as to give back to the soldiers.
“We play basketball for a living and eventually that’s going to end,” said Paul Pierce, who said he had a couple of uncles who served in the military. “The things that these soldiers do, it’s part of everyday life, and we don’t realize it because being in the game of basketball … it’s really not a real, normal life.
“But you understand that these soldiers fight for your country and really serve to protect and sacrifice so much. They sacrifice their families, they sacrifice so many other things for the protection of our country.”
Joe Johnson echoed the sentiment, and said some of the soldiers challenged the players on the court.
“My favorite part is sitting here mingling with the troops, [hearing] them telling us how they can take us 1-on-1,” he said with a laugh.
“It’s an honor and a privilege for us to get a chance to come out here and hang out with the real heroes, and guys that we look up to and make this world safer for us.”
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The Nets recalled both Tornike Shengelia and Tyshawn Taylor from the D-League Springfield Armor yesterday, and 14 of Brooklyn’s 15 players were present for the day at Fort Hamilton. The only player absent was Andrei Kirilenko, once again battling back spasms.
Coach Jason Kidd said there is “no timetable” for Kirilenko’s return. However, when Kirilenko first suffered back spasms in training camp, the forward said the symptoms lasted for about six days. If that is the case this time, it would rule him out for the team’s upcoming three-game West Coast trip that kicks off Wednesday in Sacramento.