Section 15: Rooting for the Opposition Daniel Westra has a unique angle on being an N.B.A. observer in New York. An energetic eighth grader, he is a lifelong Phoenix Suns fan living on the Upper East Side, surrounded by friends who root for the Knicks and the Nets. "Obviously, the loyal Knicks fans have remained, but from what I've seen the Nets have gained a lot of traction," he said Friday night before watching the Nets dismantle the Suns in the second half to win, 99-79. Although Westra has routinely headed to Madison Square Garden to see the Knicks host the Suns, including last month, Friday's game was his first in-person Suns-Nets game. A trek to New Jersey had been deemed excessive. The tickets were a Christmas gift, and although it was a longer trip to Brooklyn than to Midtown Manhattan, Westra enjoyed the interesting journey with his father. "I thought it was cool how they had their own stop: Atlantic Avenue/Barclays Center," he said. And then when I walked out you saw Barclays Center; it was just beautiful. Westra's family became Suns fans because friends have been involved in the Suns' Dancing Dads halftime show. Westra, who wore a purple shirt that Suns forward Jermaine O'Neal had just autographed, spoke knowledgeably about the organization. Westra's favorite Sun, Goran Dragic, would have been a target of the Nets had Deron Williams not re-signed. Dragic is stepping in for Steve Nash, who Westra recognizes is irreplaceable. "Steve Nash was the Phoenix Suns, in my opinion, and now that he's gone there's going to have to be rebuilding," he said. It's been a tough recuperation, but I'm sure management knows best. I trust Lon Babby making decisions. Sounding uncharacteristically patient in fast-paced New York, Westra said he was not worried; the Suns just needed a lot of time and draft picks. Fresh in Brooklyn, the Nets do not have that time. "I was surprised the Nets fired Avery Johnson," Westra said. I have to say very surprised. He explained that his friends liked Johnson but have grown to embrace the interim coach P.J. Carlesimo, even seeing Carlesimo as a possible long-term solution. In the meantime, Westra will continue to follow the Suns passionately while surrounded by talk of New York basketball, business as usual.