Kiki Vandeweghe's days with the Nets are numbered, quite literally.

During a breakfast meeting with a small group of reporters this morning in Manhattan, new Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov made it clear that Vandeweghe will not be back with the team once his contract expires at the end of June.

Asked about the future of the Nets' top two executives, Prokhorov said he is working to renew team president Rod Thorn's expiring contract but revealed that he has no intention of doing the same for Vandeweghe, the general manager who also served as interim coach for much of the 12-70 season.

"I think Kiki is a very talented guy," said Prokhorov. "He did his job in a very tough season for the team, and his agreement expires in the summer and I wish him well."

Asked if he planned to fire Vandeweghe before the end of next month, Prokhorov said he will "respect" his contract.

Prokhorov, the billionaire Russian businessman who took over the team last week, discussed a variety of topics, both personal and professional, for approximately 90 minutes. He then moved into a larger ballroom where his official introductory press conference took place.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/nets/2010/05/prokhorov-says-kikis-out-as-ne.html#ixzz0oOkUICXr

A cloud has followed him ever since and he hasnt trusted his own judgement.

Pharzeone wrote:

sebstar wrote:His GM career was never the same once he drafted that skitawhatever cat that one year while in Denver. Thats one of the top five worst picks of all time.

A cloud has followed him ever since and he hasnt trusted his own judgement.

Skita, that MDA's boy. He personally gave Kiki a glowing report on him. I can't believe Kiki has never threw a punch at MDA just because.

lol. you're right.

THey "got lost" when they returned them to Somalia! Lost, they just don't know what happend to them when got "released"!!! Im wondering if they got released at 5,000 feet?

Anyone got a problem with that? Think some Pirates might think twice about who they Phuch with? Take an american ship jail might be a better life than as a pirate. Do a Russian ship and your released within a few days!!!! Just don't quite know where they be. No bullshoyt!

K22 wrote:

Finestrg wrote:WTF did that have to do with Kiki? Very odd that this guy would come out and say these things before the draft no? I wonder where the primary input is coming from as far as who to draft goes. That team has no head coach and now a dead-man-walking GM. Bad job by Prokhorov here if you ask me. Speaking of Prokhorov, how well does he really know all the talent in this draft? Sounds like this is all on his shoulders now -- that's a lot of responsibility for a foreign individual who's new to the league. They have the 3rd, 27th and 31st picks. After what that team's been though, they need to get those picks right or if they intend on trading them, they need to get that right too. Is Mikhail Prokhorov even qualified to make those decisions & up for the challenge?? We'll see..

Isn't Thorn still around? I guess he goes back to being President/GM again.

Yup, you're right. Was just was trying to make an edit but you caught it first. A lot of pressure on Thorn now..

Finestrg wrote:

K22 wrote:Russian Mark Cuban is already making heads roll. Not surprised after that look he gave at the lottery. He was HEATED.

WTF did that have to do with Kiki? Very odd that this guy would come out and say these things before the draft no? I wonder where the primary input is coming from as far as who to draft goes. That team has no head coach and now a dead-man-walking GM. Bad job by Prokhorov here if you ask me. Speaking of Prokhorov, how well does he really know all the talent in this draft? Sounds like this is all on his shoulders now -- that's a lot of responsibility for a foreign individual who's new to the league. They have the 3rd, 27th and 31st picks. After what that team's been though, they need to get those picks right or if they intend on trading them, they need to get that right too. Is Mikhail Prokhorov even qualified to make those decisions & up for the challenge?? We'll see..

He probably placed heavy blame on him for the coaching aspect. To me Thorn is one devious SOB because he set him up to fail. Kiki playing the good solider but he was hired and almost immediately put in a position to coach a team that he really didn't have a hand in putting together.

sebstar wrote:Wait so Thorn is still the GM?

Yeah, Prok gave him the thumbs up and of course Fat Mike just heap the praises on Thorn.

Pharzeone wrote:

sebstar wrote:Wait so Thorn is still the GM?

Yeah, Prok gave him the thumbs up and of course Fat Mike just heap the praises on Thorn.

That's right. Prokhorov just gave Thorn a 2-year deal.

Thorn has been under a direct cost cutting regime since Ratner took over. He has positioned the team to cut salary and rebuild. Remember, rebuilding sucks. Kikki Im sure had some hand in some things but he only came in when Stephanski or what ever his name was went to PHilly as GM. Kiki not THorn. Thorn got major Cred and was Sterns Deputy Dog for many years.

The Nets did what had to be done. Had they been put in a position to draft Wall, a lot of people would be saying how great the Nets' future is and all of that jazz. They missed Wall but they can still get a pretty damn good player at 3.

Kiki, the GM, did a pretty decent job in my opinion of setting that team up nicely for the future. Kiki the coach didn't do such a great job but I mean come on, the guy wasn't brought in initially to coach anyway.