By Marcus Henry

The Nets, fresh off a record-breaking 2001-‘02 season, and an extremely fan-friendly style of play, are not drawing fans like an Eastern Conference Champion should be. Then again, this isn’t something that should surprise anyone.

Through eight home games this season, the Nets are ranked 26th in the league in attendance, drawing an average of 13,972 fans per game. When you consider what they accomplished last season, you would think they could out-draw the likes of, Atlanta, Denver, Memphis and Golden State. But that hasn’t been the case so far. If it's any consolation, through eight home games last season, the Nets were drawing just under 10,000.

During last season’s playoff run, the Nets only sold out nine of 11 home playoff games. They didn’t start playing in front of sellout crowds consistently until the second round of the playoffs.

Why the lack of support?

First of all, they play at the Meadowlands. While the Meadowlands has great parking, is easily accessible from the New Jersey Turnpike and a hop skip and a jump from Newark International Airport, it is not fan friendly. Fans who don’t drive or would rather take public transportation have only one option, the New Jersey Transit bus system. The buses, which begin leaving Port Authority an hour and a half before tip off, is the only way to get to get to the Meadowlands via public transportation. Unlike Madison Square Garden, which can be accessed via subway, foot, bus or railroad, the Meadowlands has no subway or railroad close to it. The luxury boxes, if you can call them that, are not luxurious by any stretch.

Ticket prices also keep increasing. And the average cost of a seat is towards the top of the league.

Another issue, which won't go away, is the New York Knicks. The Nets, in spite of their recent success, are still playing second fiddle to them. The Knicks, in spite of their awful start, are still ranked eight in the league in attendance, drawing 18,838 per game.

The bottom line is the Nets need a new place to play. And Newark Mayor Sharpe James, who has spearheaded the campaign to bring the Nets and the New Jersey Devils to downtown Newark, is close to delivering for the Nets. The new arena, which would open its doors in the fall of 2005, will be much more accessible and fan friendly. Of course by no means does a new arena guarantee on-court success for the Nets. But it does give them a fighting chance to draw top-flight free agents and the ability to turn a nice profit at the gates. The hope for Nets fans is that they are still competitive by time their new home is ready.