Brooklyn Nets
Nov 3, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov speaks to the media before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
The Nets Are Thankful For: Mikhail Prokhorov and His Wallet
Over the past three seasons, the goal in Brooklyn has been about two things: taking over New York and winning championships.
Those two goals are as realistic as ever because of owner Mikhail Prokhorov. Since Prokhorov has taken over, the Nets have become one of the most popular brands in the NBA, due in large part to the team moving to Brooklyn, changing its colors and logo, and of course, adding recognizable veteran players.
The team has also been markedly successful during Prokhorov’s tenure, increasing their win percentage by almost eight percent in the four years since his arrival in comparison to the four years prior. A lot of this newfound popularity and success has to do with Prokhorov’s willingness to shell out money to acquire high priced free agents such as Joe Johnson (picked up the last four years of a 6 year, $123 million contract), Deron Williams (5 years/$98 million), Kevin Garnett (will have made an excess of over $24 million with the Nets), Brook Lopez (4 year, $60 million extension in 2012), not to mention paying a then 36-year-old Paul Pierce over $15 million last year.
Although it can be argued that Prokhorov has mortgaged the Nets’ future for immediate results, and has failed in doing so, he has made the Nets relevant again. And as long as he is willing to spend–which isn’t hard to imagine–the Nets should contend for many years to come, and that is something the Nets and their fan base should be thankful for.