New Jersey Swamp Dragons?

Supposedly, the Nets franchise, still back in New Jersey, once entertained the idea of changing the team's name to the Swamp Dragons. Click here for an ESPN.com article on the alleged possible name-change. About halfway down in the article is a rendering of what the Swamp Dragons' court would have looked like. It kind of grabs you.

Women's Final Four in Indy Features Brickyard Motif on Court

The NCAA women's Final Four always seems to have a more interesting and geographically relevant court design than the one for their male counterparts. This year is no exception. This year's women's Final Four is in Indianapolis, and the local auto-racing tradition provides the theme for the basketball court. Specifically, the areas between the keys and three-point arcs feature a brick-like design, an apparent salute to the racing track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The track once consisted of an entirely brick surface (around the same era in which the Cubs last won the World Series!), with more and more of the track gradually being covered with asphalt over the years. Today, just a narrow strip of brick exists by the start/finish line. Here is a stylized drawing I made of the women's Final Four "brick" area.

Also, here's a video of the floor being installed.