Mikhail Prokhorov, the Nets’ billionaire owner, who dropped in on the new player introductions at Barclays Center yesterday, admitted he is many things.
He is driven by results, a bottom-line guy. He is somewhat impatient for an NBA title (“I have done what I can. Now I think it is high time for the team to do the rest,” he said, deadpan). He is a man willing to do and spend whatever it takes for that title. On that goal, he is all in, all the time.
But he is one more thing: a bachelor. And he wants to keep it that way a little longer. He once teased if the Nets didn’t win a title within five years, he would marry. It has been three years. But after the Nets’ latest overhaul, he likes his chances of keeping away from the altar.
“I can assure you that no process, for the time being, [of] looking for [a] wife is underway,” Prokhorov said. “This is for sure.”
So he smiled and explained his willingness to pay roughly $80 million in luxury taxes, a figure that surpasses virtually every other NBA team’s payroll.
“When I bought the team, I promised to create a championship contender, a team worthy of Brooklyn,” said Prokhorov. “I’ll be proud when we win the championship. I am not a man of procedure. I am a man of results.”
So when general manager Billy King notified him of the chance to secure Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Jason Terry and later Andrei Kirilenko in moves that would forge a luxury tax bill comparable to the GNP of Denmark, Prokhorov grabbed his checkbook.
“My reaction, we need a championship team,” said Prokhorov. “For me, it’s not the way to wait 10 years for results. I don’t think our fans will either.
“I’m willing to invest more to make [the] Brooklyn franchise the best in the league.”
There were questions about usurping New York from the Knicks, but Prokhorov’s aim is to snare a certain trophy from Miami. With the new acquisitions, his confidence has surged. He noted how his countryman, Kirilenko, took less money to join a contender. He addressed the whispers he slipped Kirilenko the deed to Luxembourg under the table.
“Old stereotypes, they’re very hard to beat and to break,” Prokhorov said. “I respect all the NBA rules and we play by the NBA rules. But I want just to stress again like with [the] luxury tax, I will do whatever I can in order to win [a] championship, but under the NBA rules. Please make no mistake about this.”
The rules say you can spend, so Prokhorov spends. The rules say you pay a tax after a certain amount, so Prokhorov pays.
“I just hope the check doesn’t bounce,” Prokhorov said with a smile.
“In the NBA, money, it’s important, but you can’t buy a championship only spending money. What’s most important is to put pieces together [for] a championship contender,” he said. “Frankly speaking, I’ll do whatever I can to reach the championship here in Brooklyn. It was the goal when I bought the NBA team. From inside, for me there is only one place and that’s first place.”
So, Prokhorov will spend or do whatever is necessary to get there. He wants to rule the NBA, not just New York, but couldn’t avoid a slight tweak directed at the Knicks.
“I want to congratulate James Dolan,” Prokhorov said. “He’s watching us for the time being.”