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Prokhorov: "No One Has a Right to Judge LeBron"

In a letter to the editor of USA Today, Mikhail Prokhorov defends LeBron James'  decision to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on a super team in Miami.

Yes, you read that right.

The Nets owner is clear he hoped to sign James, but writes, "I respect their choice, and no one has the right to judge them. I want to say that I support LeBron, the best athlete in the NBA. He had a truly difficult choice to make."

It doesn't end there.

"I wish them success and give them my moral support," he concludes. "I will be happy for us to beat the Miami Heat in the conference finals, maybe not this season, but in the very near future."

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"I come in peace"

Consequences will never be the same.

by NetsMets4Life on Jul 28, 2010 11:24 PM EDT reply actions  

yup

"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."

by MrDollarBills on Jul 29, 2010 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions  

Love It!

And Still managed to hold his own Team down in the process.

Go
Proky
GO BROOKLYN

The NETS are coming!

by MrBDown on Jul 30, 2010 5:32 AM EDT up reply actions  

um

how are we going to beat them with our current team “in the very near future”?

Proky has something up his sleeve named Chris Paul

by corky_romano4life on Jul 28, 2010 11:40 PM EDT reply actions  

That exactly what he wants

He wants a superstar and isn’t going to go into the season empty handed he looks like a guy that wants the best. Miami has argubly the best at three positions Lebron James at the Small Forward Dwayne Wade at the shooting guard no disrespect to Kobe aka best player in the league but im worried about that Finger and all these other injuries and Chris Bosh so he is going to try to get the best Point guard in Chris Paul and hope he makes Brook Lopez the best Center in the league.

by JJ25 on Jul 28, 2010 11:54 PM EDT up reply actions  

This obsession for a big name needs to stop.

We couldn’t compete against Miami, even if we landed CP3 (esp at the cost trading for him would require). Also, I find it funny that you you’re worried about Kobe’s finger and “other” injuries but don’t seem worried about CP3’s obvious health issues, that are NO joke as anyone who watched him play after returning from surgery could notice.

by Andres B on Jul 29, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions  

agree on all points

watched CP3 at the IZOD in April. Pretty sad.

by Net Income on Jul 29, 2010 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions  

me too

he didn’t look good at all.

by Andres B on Jul 30, 2010 2:57 AM EDT up reply actions  

Agreed, that we need to stop this nonsense, at least for another year and see what talent is already on the team.

Proky is just saying the right things, so that 1, 2 or 3 years down the road it might pay off (when LeBron is free to leave Miami) and in the meantime the Big names will think more favorably of him and the Nets. Noone should conclude Proky has any hope of of getting any Big name before the trade deadline, without selling off the team – with its unknown talent.

by jerry25 on Jul 29, 2010 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions  

I would Rather Dirk, Pau or Duncan at the 4

Bosh isnt the best 4 IMO. And besides he like LeBron quit on their Teams last Season and I can’t vouch for any player who does that.

The NETS are coming!

by MrBDown on Jul 30, 2010 5:37 AM EDT up reply actions  

Key words current team and very near future. Two different periods of time

by Scooby803 on Jul 29, 2010 12:12 AM EDT up reply actions  

why do people assume that this will be the same roster for the next 5 years?

"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."

by MrDollarBills on Jul 29, 2010 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions  

Proky is just trying to live up to his promises, one of which is to make the playoffs this year.

In order to make the playoffs without jeopardizing the future of the team, Proky needs to allow King/Avery to use some of that 14-15 million in cap space to trade for a Big PF with an expiring contract, if not trade for someone who would be worth keeping.
And the Nets shouldn’t need to trade one of their hopeful young players to get this stopgap PF.

I don’t see any other choice as some 3rd string PF is not going to get the Nets to the playoffs.

I still haven’t see anyone post a name better than Troy Murphy,
whom it was recently posted in a Boston Globe article that Indiana may be willing to clear cap space.

If someone has a better idea, I’d like to see it. A lessor and cheaper option is the expiring 5.5 million Nanad Krstic (who was the starting Center for the Thunder in last year’s playoffs), which would free the quicker Petro to play a Big PF.

by jerry25 on Jul 29, 2010 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions  

Can we Stop With Troy "Molasses" Murphy???

This is being built as a fast, Athletic Densive Minded Team.Non of those things are said about Murphy’s Oil Soap. Not a game changer and may Eat up too many minutes from Favors. We need to help him a bit not stunt his growth! Besides reports are Indy is NOT INTERESTED in moving him. They want to move T.j ford and Dunleavy.

The NETS are coming!

by MrBDown on Jul 30, 2010 5:53 AM EDT up reply actions  

Not true. Indiana is getting calls (probably from Nets) about moving Troy Murphy. Andres found the story.

http://blogs.indystar.com/pacersinsider/archives/2010/07/pacers_trying_t.html

The article says that Indiana first wants to see about the Health of Hansbrough and Jeff Foster before moving Murphy.
Murphy has been good enough to start exclusively for the past 6 years and has played 72-75 games during the past 3 years. How can he not be more valuable than any PF the Nets have had since KMart?

I’ll bet Nets management would love to have Troy Murphy and his 15/10 game and spread the defense with his 3 pt. shooting. He’s a nice complement to the defensive minded Favors.

 It might only be for 1 year, but I can’t think of anyone better without having to give away talent. Avery IS going to get someone to be his PF starter. Who do you recommend, not named Favors?

by jerry25 on Jul 30, 2010 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions  

Proky is a confident man

"I want to win, I want the team to win and I'm in complete control."
-Coach Avery Johnson.

by Andy. on Jul 28, 2010 11:41 PM EDT reply actions  

Hahaha love that he took a shot at James

Made the decision of a sportsman, not a businessman.

by eLonepb on Jul 28, 2010 11:42 PM EDT via mobile reply actions  

I got that drift

He still wants him in Brooklyn.

"Beat the Heat!"

by faNETicS on Jul 28, 2010 11:46 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

ding ding ding

-Say man when I was growing up we wanted a Jacuzzi, we had to fart in the tub.

by NetLogic on Jul 28, 2010 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions  

I'm sure it's coming

I love the Nets, as long as Ratner or Prokhorov aren’t involved lol

Keep up the great work NI

-Say man when I was growing up we wanted a Jacuzzi, we had to fart in the tub.

by NetLogic on Jul 28, 2010 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions  

We haven't talked Brooklyn in a while...

I’d rather talk about he Favors scored more than TD in his freshman year and what a great coach Avery is.

OT – Why is Avery so convinced TWil is not a SF. Seems like Avery is the anti-Frank and hates undersized lineups.

by rundmc00 on Jul 29, 2010 8:48 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

I'm outraged!

at something..whatever.

not "that" Jersey Shore...Point Pleasant, 10 refreshing miles north of Seaside.

by John at the Jersey Shore on Jul 29, 2010 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions  

oh not this again

please, no, my nets brain can’t handle talk of bronaqueen joining us

by corky_romano4life on Jul 28, 2010 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions  

I'd rather keep losing

Don’t want the rest of my guys turning out like him

by muwu on Jul 29, 2010 8:31 AM EDT up reply actions  

exactly

“And I look forward to him playing for me in 2014”.

by mt57 on Jul 29, 2010 8:33 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

exactly. Smart.

I hope this time though, we don’t break our necks to sign him. By then we’ll be one of the young hot teams in the league, if he still wants to piggyback off of other guys, that’s his problem.

"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."

by MrDollarBills on Jul 29, 2010 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions  

Yes, so lets not jump to the conclusion that Proky expects to get any superstar before the trade deadline.

Its not happening and most Nets fans don’t want to give up their young unproven talent just yet.

by jerry25 on Jul 29, 2010 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions  

???

I read that the Opt out is after 5 years on their contracts and they can terminate after 4 years. I dunno???

The NETS are coming!

by MrBDown on Jul 30, 2010 5:55 AM EDT up reply actions  

Beat the Heat

Right now!
And keep trying.
=)

"Beat the Heat!"

by faNETicS on Jul 28, 2010 11:44 PM EDT via mobile reply actions  

Damage control

He might have written that as a favor to Jay Z, who’s trying to repair what’s been broken. Like his and LBJ’s brand.

"Beat the Heat!"

by faNETicS on Jul 29, 2010 12:16 AM EDT via mobile reply actions  

to me it's seems that he's positioning himself

as the ultimate player’s owner. i.e. putting himself at the opposite end of the spectrum as dan gilbert’s remarks. proky understands that this is a player’s league and knows that the new generation of stars veer more towards the lebron’s than the jordan’s. the significance of “The Decision” may actually be a paradigm shift in the league in terms of how star players maneuver and teams acquire them. proky wants to be sitting in the driver’s seat as we get ready for NBA 2.0

imagine something extremely witty here

by Gminski on Jul 29, 2010 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions  

Jay's Brand is fine... Lebron's Brand is a different Subject

Last I checked Jay is still making hit records so he is at the top of his game for what he does. That won’t be threatened anytime soon. Drake needs to put in 10 more years at this Level to be in the conversation…lol

The NETS are coming!

by MrBDown on Jul 30, 2010 6:00 AM EDT up reply actions  

Good job, proky.

I’ll give u a season to improve this team.

by Jarkid Shen on Jul 29, 2010 12:33 AM EDT reply actions  

To add to this very slow news day...

Amare is Jewish.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/28/amare-stoudemire-jewish_n_662698.html
Btw, so is Jordan Farmar.
Is it me or is the NBA actually getting cooler and more interesting?

by Jron on Jul 29, 2010 1:50 AM EDT reply actions  

Amare is Jewish???

My jew senses make me like him more now, even though he is on the Knicks. Cool to have Farmar on the team. Besides them Casspi is (obviously) and the Dukee Jon Scheyer is also jewish.
Still cant believe Amare is jewish!

Consequences will never be the same.

by NetsMets4Life on Jul 29, 2010 2:12 AM EDT up reply actions  

The UPDATE at Huffington Post says that Amare denies being Jewish and he says "there may be SOME Jewish blood on his mother's side and he is researching it"

However, he still wants to go to Israel and study some Hebrew. I thought he would have plenty of opportunity to study Hebrew in New York – anything to take his mind off of losing about 52 games this season.

So is Amare going to learn Hebrew like LeBron studied to speak Chinese (he can say Hello so that no one can understand)?

by jerry25 on Jul 29, 2010 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions  

Funny...He doesn't look Jewish!

As long as Amare doesn’t “drink the cool-aid” and go Orthodox on us. There are too many Holidays in September, as well as Friday nights and Saturdays before dark that he couldn’t play. Obviously, I knew about and have been rooting extra for Casspi. Now I have a more reasons to root for Farmar too. Funny, he DOES look Jewish. Would love to get a HEBREW Jersey with Farmar’s name IN HEBREW. I could wear it to the daily Minyan at my Shul.Wait….there are millions and millions of RUSSIANS who don’t know their Jewish heritage….Maybe even Proky?

Paul from Delray Beach

by PaulErstein on Jul 29, 2010 6:46 AM EDT reply actions  

Farmar's mother is Jewish

and he was raised a Jew by his mother and his stepfather. His parents were divorced when he was 2.

His biological father is African-American, a former minor league player in the Dodgers organization who helped him navigate the waters of professional sports.

by Net Income on Jul 29, 2010 7:02 AM EDT up reply actions  

Ohhhhh..That's why Farmer has........

such great court awareness…….When he was little his Mom used to make him dribble back and forth in the full court and he had to keep his head up straight to keep that yomicha from falling off……..

by NetFan48 on Jul 29, 2010 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions  

Owners get fined for talking crap about players...

So since this letter was complimentary, do we get a credit, or something?

by JohnFromLongIsland on Jul 29, 2010 7:25 AM EDT via mobile reply actions  

Sets himself up as the anti-Dan Gilbert

Takes the high road, makes it easy for LBJ to want to jump to Brooklyn in 2013, proves that the Nets have no ill will toward Jay-Z (not that I ever thought they did – especially when the story came from a gossip columnist) and finally gives a signal to Paul that he’s the kind of enlightened/modern owner that a star player should want to play for. (Love the soft business decision jab.) In addition, he keeps the Nets in the news yet again.

by fastbreak7 on Jul 29, 2010 9:34 AM EDT reply actions  

yep yep

take the high road. Respect a man’s decision. Be an owner player’s can respect and want to play for..

by kiemurphy on Jul 29, 2010 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions  

+1

jasonrak, read fastbreak above. Smart move by Proky

by yankeesnets on Jul 29, 2010 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions  

Yeah, but...

There is something about him talking about crushing everyone in his way and building a championship in 5 yrs yada yada yada and then wishing LeBozo and the Heat, their competitor, “luck” and giving them his “moral support”. I dunno. Maybe its just me and I’m old school. Doesn’t sit all that well with me. Although I do love the cagey Russian ;)

by jasonrak on Jul 29, 2010 9:50 AM EDT reply actions  

respectful competition.

by kiemurphy on Jul 29, 2010 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions  

Talk sofly but carry a big ass whuppin' stick!

not "that" Jersey Shore...Point Pleasant, 10 refreshing miles north of Seaside.

by John at the Jersey Shore on Jul 29, 2010 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions  

What is Prokhorov supposed to say?

This comes from the man who made billions of dollars in back-handed business deals after the fall of the Soviet Union and and takes strippers with him on the road. I wouldn’t imagine that he would be a judgemental person.

by gsloots on Jul 29, 2010 9:54 AM EDT reply actions  

he’s not SUPPOSED to say anything.

by kiemurphy on Jul 29, 2010 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions  

why not?

I like that he engages the fans, BS or no BS, at least he’s talking.

7 years Ratner owned the team, we heard from him twice (KMart and VC extention)

-Say man when I was growing up we wanted a Jacuzzi, we had to fart in the tub.

by NetLogic on Jul 29, 2010 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions  

didn’t mean it like that.

He said, “What is Prokhorov supposed to say?”

I meant that he’s not forced to say anthing in particular. I did not mean that he’s supposed to be quiet.

I like what he said and like that fact that he didn’t HAVE to say it.

by kiemurphy on Jul 29, 2010 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions  

any man that is able to travel across the globe with strippers in tow is cool in my book

"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."

by MrDollarBills on Jul 29, 2010 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions  

Yeah....

Sounds pretty balla to me

by SamsHops on Jul 29, 2010 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions  

Mikhail has been busy lately

Talking to young people at national youth congress (above); running a contest to name his new hybrid “City Car”; announcing plans for a $100 million resort in Turkey; selling his coal mining assets to an Indian group for $400 million.

But he says he’s been spending 85% of his time on the Nets.

by Net Income on Jul 29, 2010 10:51 AM EDT reply actions  

I love Proky but...

Does he REALLY have a sweater tied around his waist like an old lady that walks laps at the mall??? C’mon Proky… YOU’RE BETTER THAN THAT!

by JohnFromLongIsland on Jul 29, 2010 11:05 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

he's a billionaire

he could wear an all pink outfit like Robert DeNiro did in “Casino” and no one would say anything.

"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."

by MrDollarBills on Jul 29, 2010 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions  

As"interesting" as the man is...

…he is clearly a super nerd at heart. No Bill Gates, but no Richard Branson either. Proky rides jet skis with a film crew in tow, Branson is building personal spaceships.

not "that" Jersey Shore...Point Pleasant, 10 refreshing miles north of Seaside.

by John at the Jersey Shore on Jul 29, 2010 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions  

yeah Prokhy needs to own his own island

"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."

by MrDollarBills on Jul 29, 2010 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions  

lol!!

I was thinking the same thing with that outfit. Is he wearing skinny jeans?

On the other hand, I wonder if he shagged that cute blond with the pink mini to his left.

by Pawley on Jul 29, 2010 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions  

He's more involve now, than what's initially expected

otherwise this investment will turn into a “nickel”.

He knows what’s at stake, and he believes on the return if he can make it a successful venture.

He’s still a businessman at the end of the day.

"Beat the Heat!"

by faNETicS on Jul 29, 2010 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

Show me someone who has never failed...

…and I will show you someone who has never tried anything difficult.

not "that" Jersey Shore...Point Pleasant, 10 refreshing miles north of Seaside.

by John at the Jersey Shore on Jul 29, 2010 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

bam!

"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."

by MrDollarBills on Jul 29, 2010 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions  

Nice try, but not really

There’s nothing wrong in trying to build a championship team from a club with sad history like the Nets.

The problem is how Proky (plus maybe JayZ) allowed a con-man like Yormark talk him into fronting a brash display (like the billboard) BEFORE getting any results. Yormarket has a history of promoting big before getting the hard results (see how the Nets promoted Yi as an international icon when Yi was 1st traded here).

Mohammad Ali was brash, but that’s fine because he backed it up. Otherwise, you just look like a fool.

by 3ptChucker on Jul 29, 2010 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions  

If Mikhail Prokhorov

offered you 1 night with him – what would you do and why?

-Say man when I was growing up we wanted a Jacuzzi, we had to fart in the tub.

by NetLogic on Jul 29, 2010 2:24 PM EDT reply actions  

Why "night"?

…sounds sketchy. If I had a day with him I’d have him pull some strings and get us a round at Liberty National Golf Course ($500,000 initiation fee).

not "that" Jersey Shore...Point Pleasant, 10 refreshing miles north of Seaside.

by John at the Jersey Shore on Jul 29, 2010 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions  

If the day works for you then so be it

Some of us work lol

-Say man when I was growing up we wanted a Jacuzzi, we had to fart in the tub.

by NetLogic on Jul 29, 2010 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions  

Of course I work...

…how else can if find time to hang out at NetsDaily? Certainly not on my own time!

not "that" Jersey Shore...Point Pleasant, 10 refreshing miles north of Seaside.

by John at the Jersey Shore on Jul 29, 2010 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions  

lol same with me!

-Say man when I was growing up we wanted a Jacuzzi, we had to fart in the tub.

by NetLogic on Jul 29, 2010 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions  

Well, other than something completely out-of-reach for me, like that...

…there’s nothing I’d like to do with a billionaire that I wouldn’t rather do with my friends.

not "that" Jersey Shore...Point Pleasant, 10 refreshing miles north of Seaside.

by John at the Jersey Shore on Jul 29, 2010 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions  

I’d rather do stuff with my friends. Proky seems a bit odd or is it just “out of my league”?

not "that" Jersey Shore...Point Pleasant, 10 refreshing miles north of Seaside.

by John at the Jersey Shore on Jul 29, 2010 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions  

proky needs to shut up and start walking the walk !

lebrons deal is for 3 years? if thats true hes makin more than 35 mil a yr …. luxury tax?

by Mike28Live on Jul 29, 2010 4:24 PM EDT reply actions  

he has a 3 year out clause

chill

-Say man when I was growing up we wanted a Jacuzzi, we had to fart in the tub.

by NetLogic on Jul 29, 2010 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions  

Proky's PR firm at work

Due to the proximity of the release of this letter, and from the gossip that went around yesterday, I would say that Proky’s Public Relation is doing a good work. Seems they’re on top of it, responding quickly to bad publicities.

</conspiracy theory = off>

"Beat the Heat!"

by faNETicS on Jul 29, 2010 4:31 PM EDT reply actions  

They meant that it’s 6 year guaranteed, but he can opt out after the 3rd year.

But per this article, he can’t opt out until after the fourth year.

“The contract has an early termination option. James’ contract has a six year term, but he can terminate after four years. "

http://business-and-finance-1357.blogspot.com/2010/07/lebron-james-miami-contract-110-million.html

by kiemurphy on Jul 29, 2010 4:33 PM EDT reply actions  

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