Spike Lee takes a pregame selfie with What's The 411TV and What's the 411Sports reporter, Crystal Lynn, at the Brooklyn Nets v. New York Knicks game at the Barclays Center.

I guess Spike didn't hold Crystal Lynn's first interview with him against her.

A great day in Brooklyn!

The Nets lost to an inexperienced Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday night, and much of their 98-91 deficit is attributed to their weak finish in the fourth quarter. More than 16,000 fans gathered at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn to do exactly what they do everything game---cheer their team on. But, in the final few minutes, Brooklyn re-emerged as the same ole Nets. Yes, I said it, re-emerged. Is there anything special about the Nets?

The Nets have been Brooklyn's home team going into the third season, and I'm still watching the same ole Nets. Whether they win or lose, they're still the same ole Nets. Whether or not they have five new players this season, topped with a new coach—they still look like the same ole Nets. Although Deron Williams is healthy now and Brook Lopez seems fine, they are still playing like the same ole Nets.

A healthier Brook Lopez said he was "very disappointed in [himself]" after scoring 10 points Wednesday night. Deron Williams, who finished with 19 points also even expressed his disappointment for how they "closed out the game," but hopes to gain a win againt the Knicks when they play each other for the first time this season on Friday.

I mean, it's still early in the season, right? Although Williams' ankles looked healthy Wednesday, it makes me wonder if he still is the hero of the team. D-Will is undoubtedly Brooklyn's best player and it's evident that his teammates feed off his energy. But the question is, is Williams the best player by default? Is Williams a Derrick Rose, or even a Chris Paul? Back when Williams played for the Utah Jazz, there was much hype about him being one of the best point guards in the league, but can that argument even be supported today? Why are the Nets so reliant of Williams?

In order for the Nets to revitalize and rejuvenate, they need to reinvent their leader of the team. Joe Johnson needs to be more consistent, and the pressure on D-Will needs to be lifted. Otherwise, we'll keep seeing the same ole Nets.

We are at the point in the NBA season where teams have solidified their playoff position. Some teams are trying to improve their spot, while others are hanging on to faint hopes. Such is the story of the four teams that took to the floor Friday night. The Brooklyn Nets hosted the Atlanta Hawks at Barclays Center while the New York Knicks were on the road against the division leading Toronto Raptors.

The Nets know they will face the Chicago Bulls (who took them out in 7 games last year) when the playoffs start in two weeks. There will be no urgency to play their starters extended minutes to keep them as fresh as possible. For Toronto, it's the same story, the team is looking to win its division for the first time in franchise history. Atlanta holds a 1.5 game lead over New York for the 8th and final spot. It's more like 2.5 games as if both teams end up with identical records, the Hawks would get in due to having a better conference record. Comments were made recently by the Hawks general manager Danny Ferry that they would not mind missing the playoffs (they would face Miami or Indiana in the first round) so they could be a team in the lottery. It had folks from the NBA shaking their heads.

When the Nets introduced their new big 3 (Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry) last year the biggest question was how many minutes they would play during the course of the regular season as new first year Head Coach Jason Kidd knew that keeping them healthy and fresh would be the key to their postseason success or failure. Terry is no longer with the team, Pierce has been relatively healthy under those controlled minutes but Garnett's (his replacement Mason Plumlee has played very well in his place as evidenced by his game winning block against Le Bron James and Miami this past Tuesday) back has been a reason for concern. Before playing against Detroit last week on the road, Garnett missed the previous 15 games.

So it was no surprise when Brooklyn took the floor Friday night, the starting line-up had the look of an exhibition game. The Nets were without the services of Deron Williams, Shaun Livingston and Alan Anderson with little used Jorge Gutierrez starting in place of Williams. Garnett started his second straight game at center.

Plumlee continued his stellar play coming off the bench after Garnett's 3 minutes of play. Although he missed 2 of 3 free-throws, he connected on all 3 field goals scoring 7 points as the Nets took a 7 point (23-16) first quarter lead. The Hawks didn't play the second quarter like they were giving up on their playoff hopes. Led by Jeff Teague (all 14 points in the quarter) Atlanta outscored Brooklyn 39-24 to take an 8 point lead (55-47).

Atlanta extended the lead to 10 (66-56) after a Teague layup but the Nets closed out the 3rd quarter on a 17-8 run getting them within 1 (74-73) setting up the game that could define the Hawks post season plans.

Neither team led by more than 5 (86-81 Hawks) after 2 Paul Millsap free throws. His 27th point of the game gave them a 1 point lead (89-88) with 1:46 left. Teague adds to the lead with 2 free throws and then Kyle Korver blocks Marcus Thorton's lay-up attempt. Joe Johnson misses a floater followed by another Teague basket. Game over.

The New York Knicks did their part beating Toronto on the road but had to be hanging their collective heads when they learned about the 93-88 Atlanta win. The loss broke Brooklyn's 15 game home winning streak. Maybe Ferry was playing reverse psychology with his players when he made his no playoff comment. Looks like it's working.

Brooklyn's Bit: Prior to the game, New York High School, College and Pro legend Kareem Abdul Jabbar introduced his "Sky Hook Challenge" to bring awareness to the Chronic Myeloid Leukemia he was diagnosed with in 2008. "Skyhook Challenge is a timed trivia game fans participate in to see how many questions they can answer about Abdul Jabbar's basketball history. For more information log on to: www.CMLSkyhookChallenge.com

John Calipari checking out Jay Z and scoping the Barclays Center ahead of his Kentucky Wildcats taking the floor in a college basketball tournament showdown

As basketball lovers across the country are getting ready to watch the showdown between the cats and the dogs or, the Kentucky Wildcats and the UCONN Huskies, I'm going down memory lane to a first meeting of Kentucky Wildcats head basketball coach John Calipari.

It was the night of the Barclays Center opening. Music and business mogul, Jay Z was about to take the stage and perform, the first performer to do so. Coach Calipari was among the many that had come to the Barclays Center to celebrate a new beginning in Brooklyn and a new day of basketball in Brooklyn.

What's The 411TV, based in Brooklyn, NY, was out in full force on the red carpet and Coach Calipari stopped to chat it up with What's The 411SportsTV correspondent, Andrew Rosario.

So, what does Coach Calipari think of the new arena?

"Since we're going to be the first college game in here, I said I better get over here and see it (Barclays Center) and since Jay Z's on stage, I said I might as well do both."

Yes, basketball will be great in New York City with the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets battling it out.

"...that college game is going to be fun," said Calipari referencing the University of Kentucky's upcoming game at the Barclays Center and nicely reminding us that basketball professionals will be sharing the court with college kids.

With all new players, Kentucky was poised to face Maryland. Although Calipari lost his previous team, he remained optimistic saying, "it'll be fun."

Knowing that some of the kids on his team are from Nashville (Tennessee) and Arkansas, Calipari understands that when they arrive in New York City, it will be culture shock, but in Calipari's words, "it's going to be a great experience."

Is Calipari a Jay Z fan?

"Oh yeah, oh yeah; now he (Jay Z) came into our locker room and it cost him $50,000," Calipari said with a smile. "Now, I wonder if I go in his locker room, if it's going to cost me $50,000?"

By the way, I'm rooting for the freshmen (that's Kentucky if you're not a follower of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament).

Check out video interview with Coach John Calipari here:

VIDEO: Talking with Chris Rock at the Barclays Center; he happened to attend a Brooklyn Nets game with his daughter because she loves LeBron James

Actor/comedian, Chris Rock, took a moment during half-time at the Brooklyn Nets – Miami Heat game on Friday to talk with What’s The 411SPORTS correspondent Crystal Lynn.

During NBA basketball season, Chris Rock is usually someplace else in New York City, but he brought his daughter to the Nets game because she loves LeBron James. It was the comedian’s first time in the Barclays Center and he likes it.

“I’m from Brooklyn,” Rock said in a matter of fact fashion.

With the chatter of a Brooklyn Nets – Miami Heat rivalry brewing, Rock chimed in saying he thinks it’s real.

“Oh, it’s for real, he said. “A lot of it came over from Boston really with Garnett and then Pierce, but I think it’s real. They’re going to play hard all year.”

“I wouldn’t be shocked if a brawl happens before the year is over,” laughed Rock in his comedic style.

Rock also offered his opinion on the Brooklyn Nets prospects for reaching the playoffs.

“I think they can go pretty far, it’s going to be hard to beat Miami, it’s going to be hard, Jason Terry’s old,” Rock said as if he was trying out new comedy material.

What’s in Chris Rock’s future?

“I’m getting ready to go on tour, I’m getting my stand up together, I’ll be playing this building in the fall,” he added.

Future Hall of Famer and IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins has aligned with Barclays Center to be a 'Goodwill Ambassador' for the venue's thriving BROOKLYN BOXING™ platform powered by Golden Boy Promotions.

At 48 years old, Hopkins broke his own record by becoming the oldest fighter in boxing history to win a world title when he earned the IBF Light Heavyweight World Title in a decision against Tavoris Cloud at Barclays Center on March 9, 2013.

Andrew Rosario, What's The 411 SPORTS, Chief Correspondent, interviewed Bernard Hopkins at the first boxing match held at the Barclays Center. Hopkins prescient comments show that the Barclays Center could not have picked a better Goodwill Ambassador.

 WATCH VIDEO: BERNARD HOPKINS

"Brooklyn needed this, Hopkins said about the first boxing match in Brooklyn in more than 80 years. "They needed this venue, they needed this excitement, I mean you can go to other great places in New York City...but this is something new and fresh for a new millennium... and this is only the beginning, this is the first night of boxing."

One of the most compelling figures in boxing history, Hopkins (53-6-2, 32 KO's) will be visible and serve as a spokesperson for BROOKLYN BOXING™ at select Barclays Center fights, whether on nights he is boxing or otherwise. He will also appear at various Barclays Center boxing press conferences and community boxing clinics in Brooklyn, and he may participate in several meet-and-greets with Barclays Center customers and at select Barclays Center business development meetings with potential partners.

Hopkins' role with Barclays Center could extend to Nassau Coliseum on Long Island if the Barclays Center-led bid to renovate and operate the venue is chosen by Nassau County.

"Brooklyn is fast becoming the place for major boxing on the East Coast," said Hopkins. "The events at Barclays Center have been outstanding and I'm excited to be part of its flourishing boxing program. I'm also thrilled that Barclays Center is planning to bring regular boxing events to Nassau Coliseum, which would be terrific for the fans of Long Island and great for boxing."

"Bernard is a beloved legendary boxer and we are proud to have him represent our Brooklyn Boxing platform throughout the borough and the world of boxing," said Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark. "Everyone who was at Barclays Center on March 9 will always remember the night Bernard made history and became one of Brooklyn's own. We are looking forward to working with Golden Boy in having Bernard defend his title soon at Barclays Center. After four championship events, Barclays Center has become the heart of boxing on the East Coast and we are excited to join with Bernard to expand our fan base even further."

Hopkins is the longest reigning middleweight champion ever with 20 successful title defenses over the course of his 10-year reign, including his historic victory against Felix "Tito" Trinidad to win the Middleweight World Championship Series on September 29, 2001.

VIDEO: Victor Cruz is excited to see Jay-Z’s concert at the opening of the Barclays Center and to see all that the new arena in Brooklyn has to offer

New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz spoke with What's The 411 co-host Barbara Bullard on the red carpet at the opening of the Barclays Center on September 28, 2012.

Cruz came to the grand opening of the Barclays Center to see rapper and business mogul, Jay-Z, perform, and to check out the new sports and entertainment arena.

WATCH VIDEO: MAGIC JOHNSON AT BARCLAYS CENTER OPENING

To thunderous applause and shout-outs, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, CEO Magic Johnson Enterprises and former NBA Allstar, stepped on the red carpet for rapper and entrepreneur Jay Z's inaugural concert at the opening of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Speaking to What's The 411 TV's correspondent, Crystal L. Henderson, Magic shared his good feelings about the opening of the Barclays Center. Magic stated that the Barclays Center is not only good for Brooklyn, it is good for New York City. Magic also compared the impending rivalry between the Brooklyn Nets and the NY Knicks to the Los Angeles Lakers and the L.A. Clippers.

The best line of the night came from Magic when Crystal asked him what's his favorite Jay-Z verse. Magic gave that great laugh and smile that he is famous for and said, "...no, no, hey, I love him; I think Jay Z's the best. I would do him a disservice by trying to rap; that's not what I do, I own things, that's what I do."