Nets on the Net: New Players, More Witticisms From Prokhorov
Jul 15, 2010 2010 Offseason, Mikhail Prokhorov, Nets on the Net
Jordan Farmar on why he picked the Nets over the Lakers: “We talked about it, and it wasn’t really how I wanted to spend my whole career, being a backup in a triangle (offense),” the Nets’ new backup point guard explained yesterday.
Al Iannazzone continues to speculate the Nets options for PF. They include Andrei Kirilenko, Troy Murphy, Kenyon Martin, Brandon Bass and Paul Millsap.
Daily News has part two of their interview with Mikhail Prokhorov. There’s more amusing stuff in there, including this nugget:
Q: Can you play (PF)?
A: Power forward? I’m too old for this. And I don’t like the salary of the players. I can make more in business.
Nets on the Net: Words from Prokhorov
Jul 14, 2010 Mikhail Prokhorov, Nets on the Net
New Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov made some rounds yesterday, talking with his beat reporters and other Nets writers at the Four Seasons hotel and via e-mail. He answered some obvious questions about the team’s search for a new President (UPDATE: Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo is reporting Billy King is the front runner with Avery Johnson’s blessing). He’s also very bullish on the team’s “Plan B” roster, despite understanding why fans may be disappointed about striking out on the “big names.”
From the keyboard of the hardest working team blogger in the NBA, Ben Couch: “There is no contradiction between Plan A and Plan B,” said Prokhorov on Tuesday at the Four Seasons. “I think we have great trade opportunities. really good trading assets and a really deep bench. That’s why I’m satisfied. I understand that fans feel a little bit upset, a little angry maybe. But I think they will like this team very soon.”
In an e-mail exchange with NetsDaily, Prokhorov talked about the ideal candidate for team President: “For a championship team, we need a president with a combination of professional skills. He should be respected in the League, very ambitious and able to work well with Avery Johnson. We need not only teamwork among the players, but great teamwork on the management side.”
Throughout these interviews, Prokhorov also flashed his personality and sense of humor. When asked about where he was when LeBron James made his announcement to join the Miami Heat: “Prokhorov said that he was asleep in Moscow. “Maybe it will surprise you, but I still keep some assets to work on,” he said.”
When asked about his “Blueprint for Greatness” mural in New York City: “I think Jay and I look really great. I’m looking into the possibility of buying the building and having it shipped back to Moscow,” he said.
About what happens if he fails to get the Nets a championship in five years: “I’m going to get married,” Prokhorov joked, playing to his playboy reputation. “It’s the worst punishment.”
As for his overall message to Nets fans: “Be patient. Support our team. We will win for sure. And, trust me, the next season will be completely different — aggressive, young,” Prokhorov said. “Now we have a really good ambition: to beat Miami Heat.”
Nets on the Net: More on the Off-Season
Jul 13, 2010 2010 Free Agents, 2010 Offseason, Nets on the Net, Rod Thorn
On a day where the Nets are expected to announce their free agency pick-ups, the beat writers are taking stock in the team’s off-season. Al Iannazzone says the team hopes they can sneak into the playoffs next year if everything breaks right – though so far, in the team’s coaching search, draft lottery pick, GM position and free agency pursuit, nothing has broken right. Meanwhile, Daniel Marks, an admitted Nets fan writing for Dime, believes the Nets didn’t have such a terrible summer.
Dave D’Alessandro believes the vacant GM position is between team VP Bobby Marks and former Sixers President Billy King.
For the vacant PF position, Fred Kerber believes with Udonis Haslem off the board, the team will go the trade route or look to sign Phoenix Suns “energizer” Louis Amundson.
Nets on the Net: Decision Day
Jul 8, 2010 2010 Free Agents, Nets on the Net
It’s looking less and less likely that the Nets will end up with the crown jewel of free agency, as Yahoo has sources saying LeBron James is leaning towards destroying the NBA joining Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami.
Dave D. thinks LeBron should stay in Cleveland and quotes the always grumpy Stan Van Gundy: “It takes 15 seconds to say, ‘I’ve decided to stay in Cleveland,’” Van Gundy said. “But we’ve got another 59 minutes and 45 seconds to. . . .what? Promote LeBron James? As if we don’t do that enough.”
Stefan Bondy of the Daily News pokes holes in the “Blueprint for Greatness.”
Nets on the Net: Notes from Prokhorov, More Plan B’s
Jul 6, 2010 2010 Free Agents, Mikhail Prokhorov, Nets on the Net
ESPN’s Chris Broussard obtained some notes from Mikhail Prokhorov’s conversations with his top executives from this past weekend. Some things Prokhorov notably said is he believes Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh will join forces in Miami and if LeBron James were to join them, he would win a few championships but diminish his own brand. He believes Cleveland’s hometown edge is going to be tough to overcome but if the Nets do land James, they would sign Carlos Boozer or David Lee to be his PF caddy. If the Nets don’t land James, they’re going to play it smart, make some “meaningful trades” and keep cap space for next summer.
As for backup plans, Dave D’Alessandro notes that the Nets brass has been in contact with Lee and Boozer’s people, despite not having a formal meeting with them yet. Adrian Wojnarowski believes the Nets could make a play for beleaguered PF Tyrus Thomas. Apparently the Nets didn’t get their fill of big men not fulfilling their potential when they were dealing with Yi Jianlian. Al Iannazzone lists Matt Barnes, Richard Jefferson, Rasual Butler, Joe Alexander, Carlos Boozer, David Lee, Raymond Felton and Randy Foye as other options. But the Nets shouldn’t start having dreams of landing next summer’s big fish, Carmelo Anthony, as Fanhouse is reporting he’s likely to sign an extension with Denver.
Nets on the Net: Nets Talk to GM Candidates, Waiting, Waiting on FAs
Jul 5, 2010 2010 Free Agents, GM Candidates, Nets on the Net
For a change of pace, let’s start with the vacant GM spot and some interesting candidates the Nets have been speaking with. Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski says the Nets have spoken to Hornets GM Jeff Bower about their opening. With the Hornets ownership situation in flux, Bower could look to bolt NOLA. Al Iannazzone is reporting that the Nets also spoke to Pistons GM Joe Dumars, in addition to Bower.
With Bower one of the candidates, Dave D’Alessandro brings up some potential controversy with him and new coach Avery Johnson. Johnson felt a bit slandered when there were reports out of NOLA that Johnson was “power hungry” and “money hungry” in his interview with Bower – reports that Johnson believes the organization spread. Considering the bass-ackwards nature of what’s going with the Nets right now – usually the GM is in place before the head coach is, this could get interesting, and messy, quickly.
As for the LeBron James saga, all reports are pointing to a decision on Thursday, when a salary cap is set for the season and players can officially sign with new teams. Ianazzone, quoting league sources puts the Nets in the “final three” with the Cavs and Bulls. The Knicks, in all of their infinite wisdom, apparently scheduled a second meeting this past weekend with LeBron’s folks, though it doesn’t appear that James, or anyone significant from the Knicks side attended. I guess they just wanted to give commenters over at TheKnicksBlog something to get excited about… which if you’re in the mood for some crazy talk, is a recommended place to cruise these days. Meanwhile, the Nets are still in contact with David Lee, according to Fred Kerber.
Nets on the Net: The Waiting Continues. What is the Nets Plan B?
Jul 4, 2010 2010 Free Agents, Derrick Favors, LeBron James, Mikhail Prokhorov, Nets on the Net
With the courtship of LeBron officially over, the Nets are doing the same thing they’ve done the past few days: wait for an answer. With reports from Dave D’Alessandro that Mikhail Prokhorov’s Gulfstream V jet has left New Jersey, the story remains – the Nets are waiting out LeBron, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Sources close to Mikhail Prokhorov say that LeBron is 50-50 on coming to the Nets. Only after those three give their answers will they turn to a Plan B, which is a bit more complicated. According to Fred Kerber, the team is not looking to spend money just to spend money, and given some of the contracts that have been handed out already in free agency, that could be hard. They may still try and make a run to acquire a SF via trade, but not at the expense of Derrick Favors, Kerber writes. They could make a run at David Lee or Carlos Boozer to play PF, or they might seek a shorter-term stopgap like Udonis Haslem or Luis Scola. It’s possible that if the “big three” spurn them, the Nets could sit on their cap space another summer and wait out Carmelo Anthony. Despite rumors that he’s ready to sign with the Knicks, the Nets, and other teams, apparently have meetings set-up with Amare Stoudemire for later this week, according to Sam Amick and NBA Fanhouse.
Meanwhile, those still figuring out if the Nets are in on “Plan A,” Chris Broussard, in an ESPN video doesn’t dismiss it. He weighs out the three possible options for Chris Bosh and where he will follow LeBron and/or Wade.
Nets on the Net: Blueprint for Greatness
Jun 30, 2010 Jay-Z, LeBron James, Mikhail Prokhorov, Nets on the Net, Rod Thorn
Well, now the Nets have gone and done it. Earlier this week, Al Iannazzone hinted that “big things” were afoot with this organization, and while the biggest dreamers in us might have thought it was going to be a major trade, I suspect it was in fact something a little more gleeful. Like, say, a 225-by-90-foot mural of Mikhail Prokhorov and Jay-Z on 34th Street and 8th, which is adjacent to some building the Knicks play in… can’t remember the name … it used to be an important part of New York sports culture but it’s hard for me to remember things that happened 20 years ago.
Still, despite the chatter focusing more on Miami and Chicago, and with the Nets firing a shot across the bow attracting attention of their own, the Knicks still believe they are major players for LeBron James.
Meanwhile, Dave D’Alessandro rolls out the team’s itinerary over the next few days. Interestingly enough, outside of Bosh, the team hasn’t scheduled anything (yet) with the other bigs out there, Carlos Boozer, Amare Stoudemire and David Lee. That’s not to say they won’t, but it seems pretty clear this team is aiming for the biggest fish first. Love the aggression.
Still, Steve Politi of the Star-Ledger has to throw cold water all over us mouth-foaming Nets fans and remind us that with Rod Thorn stepping down, but not “retiring,” it just doesn’t look terribly good for the organization right now.
Nets on the Net: Gearing for LeBron, Hump is Back
Jun 29, 2010 2010 Free Agents, Kris Humphries, Nets on the Net
As we all know, the Nets are readying their pitch for LeBron this week. Al Iannazzone goes over the Nets options in free agency: “I don’t know if they’re going to get LeBron, but they’re going to get two good players,” one NBA executive said.
How long is LeBron going to take to make a decision, and how does that affect the rest of free agency?
Is the New York media finally coming to the realization that the Nets are a more attractive destination for LeBron than the Knicks?: “If it wasn’t for Newark for two years, they [the Nets] would probably be the winner,” the individual said. “But they probably have surpassed the Knicks. I think the Knicks hurt themselves with the draft.”
Even Stephon Marbury wants LeBron to be a Net.
Julian Garcia reminds us that the Nets are also wooing Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade.
In non-LeBron news, but a move that could affect the Nets pursuit of him, Kris Humphries picked up his player option yesterday.
Some evening News for Nets Fans
Jun 28, 2010 2010 Free Agents, Keyon Dooling, Mikhail Prokhorov, Nets on the Net, Rod Thorn
Well, we’re officially in the busy season with rumors and speculation regarding free agency and the Nets GM vacancy, so here’s a round-up of the day’s news.
After some conflicting reports, Rod Thorn tells beat writing stalwart Dave D’Alessandro that it’s “time for me to go.” A replacement will be hired in a timely matter and should not impact free agency, Thorn said.
Mitch Lawrence mentions Raptors executive Maurizio Gherardini as a potential replacement for Thorn – sure to bring international flavor to the roster though if he had a hand in signing Hedo to that awful contract he has some ’splainin to do. Dime runs down some other potential GM candidates.
Forget GMs. Henry Abbott and Marc Stein have separate pieces discussing the impact of good ownership on recruiting free agents. Both mention Mikhail Prokhorov as a major plus and lure for the Nets.
When discussing the Nets summer plans for recruitment, Al Iannazzone baits us all with this nugget: “There’s something else big that’s coming, too. Just wait.”
Goodnight and good luck to Keyon Dooling. A class guy all the way who was officially waived today.
For you summer basketball junkies, the Nets released their summer league roster today.