Stefan Bondy on the Nets global branding efforts: It is part of the dream-big business model of owner Mikhail Prokhorov, who pitched the idea to LeBron James in an unsuccessful attempt to woo him. Prokhorov believes the Nets can become a global brand – one that crosses oceans and currencies – even though they’re still No. 2 in the metropolitan area.
When TWill met Proky: “Hi, I’m Terrence Williams,” he said. “Hello, T-Will,” Mikhail Prokhorov replied.
Avery Johnson on China: “Beijing reminds me of New York City. The cab drivers drive the same way, the bus drivers drive the same way. There’s just millions and millions of people, and the fans here are really crazy about basketball.”
Avery on Devin Harris: “He needs to go to another level in terms of his conditioning, explosiveness, quickness,” Johnson said Tuesday on a conference call from Beijing. “Defensively, he needs to continue to improve. He’s not where we want him to be right now.”
Ben Couch has some video on the Nets trip.
