He's Got a Billion of Them

One liners, that is.

When asked about the incongruity of a former Soviet citizen owning an NBA team, he deadpanned, "I say to America: I come in peace". Would he meet with Congressman Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) to discuss charges he may have broken sanctions in Zimbabwe?  No, but he will offer him Nets tickets, admitting the team needs as many fans as it can get. How about working out with his team? No, because it would be a "waste of time for them."  And when asked about specific plans to change the Nets' image, he told a reporter, "I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you." He and Jay-Z?  They're "soulmates" because of their "conservative social life". At a Gracie Mansion breakfast, he said he had offered Mayor Bloomberg the head coaching job. "I pay pretty much".

Perhaps his best: "For me, it is a great pleasure to be here as the new owner of the Nets, the team with the best record in the whole NBA" ...wait for it... "Was I misinformed?"

Forty five minutes of one-liners, delivered deftly to a packed house of reporters from New York, Moscow and even Beijing ("We will have Yi for one more year"). But amidst the charm and smirks, there was a very shrewd businessman who understands the challenge and seemed to have a full grasp of what he's getting into. Yes, he asked reporters if they had any ideas about a name change, but only in response to a question.  Later in his interview with Mike Francesa, he backed away from the idea.

• Mikhail Prokhorov Press Conference (Video) - New Jersey Nets
• The Most Interesting Man In The World - Lang Whitaker - SLAM
• New Nets owner Prokhorov takes New York by storm - John Schuhmann - NBA.com
• Russian to the rescue as Prokhorov saves Nets - Tim Dahlberg - AP
  
• Prokhorov, Charming and Guarded, Talks of a Nets Revival - Howard Beck - New York Times
  
• A Bit of Borscht From Nets’ New Owner - Richard Sandomir - New York Times
• Prokhorov Makes a Winning Impression - George Vecsey - New York Times
• Nets’ Owner Take a Tour - Tyler Kepner - New York Times
• Caption Contest - What Are They Saying? - New York Times
  
• There's a New Oligarch in Town - Matthew Futterman - Wall Street Journal
• Prokho Takes N.Y. On a Speed Date - Jason Gay - Wall Street Journal
  
• Prokhorov outlines plans for offseason, beyond in meeting with media - Dave D'Alessandro - Star-Ledger
• New Nets owner wanted Knicks first - Chris Sheridan - ESPN New York
• Prokhorov learning to talk the talk in New York - Jane McManus - ESPN New York
• New owner says Nets can contend for title soon - Barbara Barker - New York Newsday
• Nets owner not interested in moving Isles to Brooklyn - Barbara Barker - New York Newsday
  
• Prokhorov Meets Media, Elaborates on the Outline - Ben Couch - New Jersey Nets
• Prokhorov greets media with a smile - Adam Zagoria - SNY
  
• New Nets Owner Has High Hopes For Team's Future (with Video) - NY1
• Mikhail Prokhorov May Rename the Nets (he has other bold plans too) - Kurt Helin - NBC Sports
  
• Mikhail Prokhorov: Not just Mr. Fun - Henry Abbott - True Hoop
• Prokhorov Plans Profit, Global Audience, Championship for Nets - Aaron Kuriloff - Bloomberg
• Russian billionaire promises to make basketball history - AFP
  
• Prokhorov to Francesa: Nets Will Use ‘Element of Surprise From Russia’ - Joe DeLessio - New York Magazine
• Welcome, Prokhorov: Our League Will Not Be So Easily Conquered - Will Leitch - New York Magazine
• Prokhorov didn't come here to lose - Al Iannazzone - The Nets Insider