New Net Ready to Dig Deep
Written by Jason Keidel, Saturday April 03 2010
In about two weeks, the NBA will approve the sale of the New Jersey Nets to Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov, extending David Stern's dream of infusing the league with international money and flavor.
Mr. Prokhorov promises to invest in the franchise, which stands in stark relief against Bruce Ratner, the penurious owner whose primary goal was to buy land in Brooklyn for the team rather than procure top talent for the team.
Aside from the smart but obvious move of keeping Rod Thorn as the Nets' president, Prokhorov wants Jeff Van Gundy on the bench.
Van Gundy, the former, feisty coach of the Knicks and Rockets whose sarcasm translates perfectly to television, has told everyone that he is quite happy sparring with Mark Jackson as a broadcaster for ESPN.
That is the refrain of coaches until a billionaire steps off his lear jet and hands him a suitcase of cash and the promise of power. There is little precedent to suggest that Van Gundy, 48, and a young man by coaching standards, would refuse.
Tags:
Leave a comment
Not So Fast! To publish your comment, you have to login
Not Registered? Register now as it only take 20 seconds!
Click here to browse
0 comments