Prokhorov & Nets Need To Get Realistic

By Leslie Monteiro

Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov has this delusional idea about the Nets being the franchise that players want to play for.  He talks about this organization being a first-class franchise. If nothing else, it is as amusing as Antrel Rolle talking about how great he is on WFAN’s Benigno and Roberts show on Tuesdays.

So far, no one has showed any interest in playing for the Nets under Prokhorov. Carmelo Anthony wanted no part of that organization. Caron Butler and Nene signed elsewhere rather than chasing the Brooklyn dream. Even though Deron Williams claims he will be back, he could change his mind if the Nets do not get the players to help him win a championship.

Now, Prokhorov is banking on Dwight Howard to save a trouble organization. Good luck with that. Despite being on D12’s short list of teams he’d sign an extension with, it’s hard to believe the Magic superstar will be a Net this year or next.

The Nets have nothing to offer for the Magic. Go ahead and talk about Brook Lopez and draft picks, but that does not appeal to the Magic, who want productive players that can win now.

Put it this way. If Howard is a Net, I won’t be on Twitter for a month. That’s how confident I think that deal is not happening. Also, there’s no way the Magic want to face Howard four times a year and in the playoffs.

Odds are good Howard will be a Laker. The Lakers have a franchise player to offer for the Magic in Andrew Bynum. That can’t be said the same for Brook Lopez, who gets hurt often along with the fact he shows fatigue in the fourth quarter. Now, Bynum gets hurt himself, but at least, he can still play for four quarters.

Prokhorov thinks playing in Brooklyn will be appealing for many NBA players. Don’t count on it. Players want to go to a team that can play for a championship, and right now, the Nets are nowhere close to that level. If anything, they are starting from ground zero.

It actually makes sense for the Nets to trade Williams this winter, and get a boatload of players in return. It’s not only a quick way to rebuild, but it’s a way to build a foundation for a successful team.

Getting Williams isn’t enough. This team needed to develop three good players for Howard or anyone to be really convinced the Nets are the team for them. Don’t believe what you read: Dwight Howard does not want to play for New Jersey.Teams win with a good draft, not to mention developing players well. The Nets haven’t had that in recent years, which is why they are in this predicament. They need to build a team that is good enough for others to want to play for the Nets.

If Nene signed with them, along with Caron Butler, it would be an accomplishment, and that could have convinced Howard to really like being a Net along with Williams.

Who knows where the Nets go from here? They have to do something. They can’t sit back and think Williams will sign with them in the offseason, or that Orlando will unknowingly hand over Howard. If Williams goes and D12 never arrives, this franchise will be even worse than they were when Prokhorov bought the team. It’s not a risk the Nets should be willing to take; just look at the Cavs.

The Nets need to stop acting like they are the Lakers, Knicks, Bulls or any other big-market teams and start behaving like a professional NBA team that will build a team for success through scouting and good coaching. That means not taking an easy way out by stealing other teams stars.

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Tags: Deron Williams, Dwight Howard, Mikhail Prkhorov, New Jersey Nets