<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Bruce Ratner doesn't look or sound like a man who is losing millions of dollars. After his Nets defeated Boston, 95-93, last night at the Meadowlands, beating the Celtics for the second time in three days, Ratner was beaming. Ratner is looking forward to his second postseason as owner of the Nets. And he assured fans and players he will do what it takes to keep his team intact and competitive despite reportedly losing over $20 million last season. He stands to lose more the longer his proposed Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn, which has an arena as its centerpiece, is delayed. "If we have to pay a luxury tax, we'll pay a luxury tax," Ratner said. "We must keep this team together. It's a great team. We're losing money, but at the end of the day if we're over in luxury tax or slightly under, it's not going to move the needle significantly. "The financial situation is highly exaggerated. We're in fine general shape." Originally, Ratner wanted the arena to open for the 2008-09 season. He said the arena is scheduled to open for the 2009-10 season. Ratner will make a fortune if the Atlantic Yards project - which includes office buildings and condos in addition to an arena - becomes reality, so the money he loses now is expected to be made up. But if the project is delayed even further, will Ratner be able to keep supporting the Nets' large payroll? They owe Jason Kidd $59 million over the last three years of his max contract. Richard Jefferson has five years left on his $76 million pact. And Vince Carter can opt out of his contract after next season and become a free agent, which would force Ratner to pay even more to re-sign the guard. If Carter doesn't opt out, he will earn $16.3 million in 2007-08. Earlier this season, the Nets traded Marc Jackson to avoid paying the luxury tax since the center wasn't playing much. "The difference between being at the place we are now with the payroll and being slightly higher or somewhat higher isn't what's making us win or lose money," Ratner said. "We don't have suite revenue and it's not a new arena. We're doing very well in terms of where I thought we'd be in terms of revenue. We're probably 20% higher than I thought we'd be. "We went from 29th in the league in attendance to 13. We are seventh in revenue. Very strong." The Nets' attendance has risen from an average of 15,090 last year to 16,835 going into last night's game. But the playoffs are why Ratner can't stop smiling. "This is a team that works together and we're going to win," Ratner said. Ratner says there will not be another summer like the cost-cutting one that took place in 2004 when the Nets jettisoned Kenyon Martin and Kerry Kittles. "Rod makes the decisions," Ratner said of team president Rod Thorn. "I love the team we have."</div> Source
