Nets Owner Mikhail Prokhorov writes an open letter on THE VERTICAL about his six years owning the franchise and some of the lessons he has "learned so far as the first foreign owner of an NBA franchise." Prokhorov admits his initial strategy of acquiring "high-value star players, whatever it takes," in an effort to win a title was a mistake. He writes, "This got us to the playoffs three years consecutively, but not far enough. And, as the person who signed the checks, lemme tell you, it cost a boatload. We had been told that you can’t buy a championship. Truer words were never spoken." He notes the "problem for the Nets has been lack of concept." Instead of being "opportunistic," the team needs to "have a strategy about the team's identity." Prokhorov notes once that identity is established, the Nets need to "work together to fulfill it and put our individual issues behind us." He adds Barclays Center has "shown the ability of a first-class entertainment complex to positively impact a neighborhood, good for families and surrounding businesses." Prokhorov: "For me as an entrepreneur, the team has been a stellar investment. We must not stop with this, though. The final goal has always been and will always remain a championship" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 2/17).
HITTING THE MARKS? THE VERTICAL's Adrian Wojnarowski cited sources as saying that the Nets have "offered their vacant general manager's job" to Spurs Assistant GM Sean Marks, but there is "no assurance they will come to terms on an agreement." Marks "emerged as the Nets' choice through a two-month process." The Spurs hold Marks "in high regard, and the organization has been grooming Marks to eventually take over a more significant role" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 2/16). After retiring as a player in '11, Marks "became the Spurs’ director of basketball operations" in '12. He also has served as the GM of the D-League Austin Toros. The Nets fired GM Billy King on Jan. 10 (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 2/17).
