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Marc Stein and Henry Abbott sift through the resume's of the owners trying to lure LeBron James and others and think Mikhail Prokhorov has already overcome the Nets' 12-70 record, two-year stay in Newark and a mostly shabby history.
"It's the 'O' variable in James' decision of a lifetime. Ownership. Or in the broader sense: Organizations," writes Stein. It's the reason the New Jersey Nets, fresh off a 12-win season, are getting the first opportunity to sit down with the most coveted free agent in the history of American sport."
Stein also suggests that a lot of what James has learned about ownership and organizations comes from his friendship with rapper--and entrepreneur--Jay-Z...making for an added advantage for the Nets. And Charles Dolan's charisma-free ownership could sink the Knicks.
Henry Abbott agrees, and adds, "one NBA insider says Prokhorov will profit from a 'James Bond' image he has with players".
- The 'Big O' key in courting the King - Marc Stein - ESPN
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The owners: A free agency scorecard - Henry Abbott - ESPN