Mikhail Prokhorov was scheduled to leave New York Wednesday night, after two frenetic days of public appearances, from the NBA Draft Lottery to the Mayor's Mansion to Yankee Stadium; a 45-minute press conference that wowed reporters; smaller get-togethers with those who cover the team as well as high profile interviews.
By Wednesday night, it seemed that even the Nets new "Prokhorov Tracker 1.0" couldn't keep up with him. The media impressions of him were almost universally positive, an owner who was able to both joke and speak confidently about his Nets, past, present and future. Moreover, he's filled the team's superstar void, a position he promised to relinquish come July with the signing of top-tier free agent(s)...none of whom he was permitted to name.
As Charles Barkley said after watching David Aldridge's interview broadcast just before Lakers-Suns game, "How can you not like him." His partner Kenny Smith, who has been skeptical of any Nets rebuilding was saying after the interview that the pursuit of LeBron James might just be the start of something.
- Mikhail Prokhorov Interview (Video) - David Aldridge - TNT (via NBA.com)
- Mike talks with Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov - Part I (Video) - Mike Francesa - YES Network
- Mike talks with Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov - Part II (Video) - Mike Francesa - YES Network
- David Stern Press Conference (Video) - NBA.com
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Mikhail Prokhorov on the Nets (Video) - SNY
- NETS: Mikhail Prokhorov - Photo Gallery - New Jersey Nets
- Nets will use idea of 'globalization' to sell themselves to free agents - Dave D'Alessandro - Star-Ledger
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Prokhorov wants to change the Nets' culture, but can he do it as an absentee owner? - Steve Politi - Star-Ledger
- Prokhorov wants to build Nets into a ‘global’ team - Fred Kerber - New York Post
- New czar dumps GM Vandeweghe - Fred Kerber - New York Post
- First look for No. 3 - Fred Kerber - New York Post
- Nets' new owner talks a pretty good game - George WIllis - New York Post
- Prokhorov all smiles after first visit to site of club’s new Brooklyn arena - Rich Calder - New York Post
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Jackson: It's ‘delusional’ to think Knicks have more talent than Nets - Justin Terranova - New York Post
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Nets' new Russian boss, Mikhail Prohkorov kicks the tires on his new investment - Rebecca Rosenberg - New York Post
- Prokhorov dines with Mayor Bloomberg and Jay-Z, talks of renaming team - Erin Durkin & Julian Garcia - New York Daily News
- Whatever its name, he plans to call team a dynasty - Julian Garcia - New York Daily News
- Anti-Dolan aiming at Nets neighbors - Filip Bondy - New York Daily News
- N-E-T-S, nyet nyet nyet: A great basketball team needs a great new name - Editorial - New York Daily News
- Prokhorov seeks dynasty, NBA title - Al Iannazzone - The Record
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‘Respectful’ of sanctions - Al Iannazzone - The Record
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LeBron's plan a big mystery - Al Iannazzone - The Record
- Bold, new Nets are going global - Tara Sullivan - The Record
- Nets' Russian Billionaire Owner Vows Quick Turnaround - Larry Fine - Reuters
- From Russia with Laughs - John Walters - FanHouse
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NBA Reaction - Brett Yormark (Audio) - Seth Everett - ESPN Radio
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Tea Time with Mikhail Prokhorov - Vinnie Rotondaro - The Brooklyn Ink