In a video message to Nets fans on the team’s official website, Brooklyn Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov talked about the team’s new approach to building, his happiness at the team bringing back Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young, and his promise to get married within five years of owning the team if they did not win a championship.
“Without a lot of noise, we got a lot done,” Prokhorov says in the video, citing Thaddeus Young and Brook Lopez returning, as well as their high expectations for Bojan Bogdanovic. Not mentioned: Deron Williams, who the team bought out this month, or any other departing player. Nor Lionel Hollins or Billy King.
He also acknowledged his promise to get married within five years, saying that the NBA offered him a compromise: “I am very happy to say that NBA commissioner Adam Silver has agreed to take the plunge in my place. Adam, you are a much better man than me. Thank you very much, and I wish you and your new bride every happiness.”
Here’s the full transcript from the clip:
Hi Nets fans. I wanted to take a minute to talk about where we are with the team and where we’re heading. First of all, we had a really good offseason. Better than a lot of people expected. Without a lot of noise, we got a lot done. Brook and Thaddeus are staying with us, which gives us continuity in our frontcourt. Joe Johnson stays as a core player. We also have high expectations for Bojan Bogdanovic, who showed a real flash of brilliance in his first year on the Nets. Some of you have noticed a shift in our approach. You’ll see a team that is younger and more athletic this season. Our approach has been more strategic, while making all necessary moves to be set up well for the future. But one thing remains constant, and make no mistake about it. We’re here to win, and we’ll do whatever we can, together with all of you who are rooting for us.
And one more note: you may remember my promise to get married if we didn’t win a championship within five years. Sadly to say, five years have passed. And today, I am very happy to say that NBA commissioner Adam Silver has agreed to take the plunge in my place. Adam, you are a much better man than me. Thank you very much, and I wish you and your new bride every happiness. And to the Nets fans, have a best rest of the summer, and I will be seeing you soon.
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Good on Silver for showing he cares about owner happiness, but hopefully he doesn’t have to do this for any other ownership groups. That could get awkward.
One more note: with all the rumors of Prokhorov looking to sell the team, this doesn’t sound like an owner who’s going anywhere.
