Oh Dad, Please Dad! Sergey Karasev says he loves Nets, Dad was wrong

One day after Sergey Karasev's father told a big Russian sports site that his son wants a trade and that the Nets are "disarray," the younger Karasev tried to set the record straight about the trade rumor and his relationship with Lionel Hollins.

"Yes, I talked with him. And he said to me, ‘I know, I apologize,’" Karasev said of his father's rant. "That’s his opinion, I mean, like, I can’t control this. I mean, he can say whatever he thinks, but that’s not what I’m thinking right now. So we’re thinking different directions."

"My dad, he’s my biggest fan," said Karasev, who has played only six minutes in three games. "So he has his own opinion and I can’t control something he said to the press. … I am with the Nets and I love this organization. I like coach Hollins. So I just try to keep working hard."

Hollins for his part was diplomatic.

"Well, put it this way: Sergey’s father is a father," Hollins said. "I am a father. I had sons that played basketball, I had a daughter that played basketball. We all want our kids to be first position. So, he has his opinion, and I understand where he’s coming from as a father. But it’s just that, his opinion."

Hollins in fact lobbied a bit for his son, Austin, when he played for the Nets summer league team.  In an interview on NBA TV, Hollins noted that his wife, Austin's mother, had told him their son should be playing more.  The Summer League team was coached by Hollins assistants.  Not long after, the younger Hollins got more time and displayed a three point touch.  He returned to France this fall.

Left unaddressed was whether Karasev would see any action ... or the senior Karasev's complaint that Hollins had told Sergey that there was no place for him on the team.

• Sergey Karasev says he doesn’t want a trade - Andy Vasquez - The Record
• Nets’ Sergey Karasev forced to make nice after dad’s Russian rant - Brian Lewis - New York Post