Prokhorov: Knicks are NYC's second team
September, 28, 2012
SEP 28
11:40
AM ET
By Mike Mazzeo | ESPNNewYork.com

Mikhail Prokhorov just can't help himself.

The charismatic Russian owner of the Brooklyn Nets took another shot at the rival New York Knicks on Friday morning, calling them the "second team in New York."

Asked during a television interview on FOX5 if the Nets were ready to take on the Knicks, Prokhorov jokingly responded, "Excuse me, what is that name?

"Ah, oh, Knicks. Yes, I've heard about this second team in New York."

Prokhorov then said in a more serious tone: "I think we're getting to where we will have an epic rivalry. It will be great for the fans, for the basketball. I think really, the coming of the arena and team to Brooklyn, we can put finally put New York on the map. It's about time."

The Nets played in New Jersey for 35 years before moving. They will make their regular-season debut as the Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 1 -- against the Knicks -- at the $1 billion Barclays Center

Clearly, Prokhorov enjoys needling his franchise's East River rivals.

Recently, he referred to Knicks owner James Dolan as "that little man" during an interview with New York Magazine.

After buying the Nets in 2010, Prokhorov claimed that he was going to "turn Knicks fans into Nets fans."

That summer, a massive billboard appeared across from Madison Square Garden that featured Prokhorov and minority owner Jay-Z, along with the slogan, "The Blueprint for Greatness."

The Nets haven't made the playoffs since 2006-07, but Prokhorov allowed GM Billy King to spend around $330 million to turn the team from a pretender into a contender.

The Barclays Center opens up on Friday night with the first of eight sold-out Jay-Z concerts.

First make the playoffs or finish above 500 before you talk, you dumb coksucker!

ChuckBuck wrote:http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/brooklyn-nets/post/_/id/5906/prokhorov-knicks-are-second-team-in-new-york

Prokhorov: Knicks are NYC's second team
September, 28, 2012
SEP 28
11:40
AM ET
By Mike Mazzeo | ESPNNewYork.com

Mikhail Prokhorov just can't help himself.

The charismatic Russian owner of the Brooklyn Nets took another shot at the rival New York Knicks on Friday morning, calling them the "second team in New York."

Asked during a television interview on FOX5 if the Nets were ready to take on the Knicks, Prokhorov jokingly responded, "Excuse me, what is that name?

"Ah, oh, Knicks. Yes, I've heard about this second team in New York." Prokhorov then said in a more serious tone: "I think we're getting to where we will have an epic rivalry. It will be great for the fans, for the basketball. I think really, the coming of the arena and team to Brooklyn, we can put finally put New York on the map. It's about time."

The Nets played in New Jersey for 35 years before moving. They will make their regular-season debut as the Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 1 -- against the Knicks -- at the $1 billion Barclays Center

Clearly, Prokhorov enjoys needling his franchise's East River rivals.

Recently, he referred to Knicks owner James Dolan as "that little man" during an interview with New York Magazine.

After buying the Nets in 2010, Prokhorov claimed that he was going to "turn Knicks fans into Nets fans."

That summer, a massive billboard appeared across from Madison Square Garden that featured Prokhorov and minority owner Jay-Z, along with the slogan, "The Blueprint for Greatness."

The Nets haven't made the playoffs since 2006-07, but Prokhorov allowed GM Billy King to spend around $330 million to turn the team from a pretender into a contender.

The Barclays Center opens up on Friday night with the first of eight sold-out Jay-Z concerts.

First make the playoffs or finish above 500 before you talk, you dumb coksucker!

How old are we today?

Did we see the interview? Or read the words? ESPN does say he was kidding!

If anything he is promoting the rivalry, and there is nothing wrong with that.

What does Dolan do? Nothing but hid behind his lawyers. Most owners do promote their teams, not install gag orders on their GM and coach's.

You should thank the guy, without scaring Dolan who knows how bad the team is!

You can't be serious!

What else would a man who bought a team and moved it to NYC?

The guy already won. Ticket sales are great and the projected value is screaming high. He had the cash when Ratner faulted.

If you believe this crap then you are heating up the rivalry! Good for you!

Nalod wrote:Oh no!!!!!

You can't be serious!

What else would a man who bought a team and moved it to NYC?

The guy already won. Ticket sales are great and the projected value is screaming high. He had the cash when Ratner faulted.

If you believe this crap then you are heating up the rivalry! Good for you!

But that's what it is...Crap! He's trying to materialize an intra-city rivalry where none exists. Even when the Nets made it to back to back finals, they barely moved the needle as far as gaining new fans. I know bullshyt when I hear it. I should know, I'm a diehard Jets fan...

ChuckBuck wrote:

Nalod wrote:Oh no!!!!!

You can't be serious!

What else would a man who bought a team and moved it to NYC?

The guy already won. Ticket sales are great and the projected value is screaming high. He had the cash when Ratner faulted.

If you believe this crap then you are heating up the rivalry! Good for you!

But that's what it is...Crap! He's trying to materialize an intra-city rivalry where none exists. Even when the Nets made it to back to back finals, they barely moved the needle as far as gaining new fans. I know bullshyt when I hear it. I should know, I'm a diehard Jets fan...

That was then, this is now!

They ditched the suburbanites in Jersey. The rivalry is territorial now and both teams are good. That makes for good games and if the teams have games with a purpose then its a rivalry. He is talking it up. Thank him for the renovated Garden, new Uni's and Melo.

smackeddog wrote:I always find it funny when they describe him as being 'charismatic'- that's the last word I'd use to describe him. A lot of the media have had a b***r for the Nets since he took over, they seem to be desperate for them to replace the Knicks. Guess that's what Dolans media policy does.

Media will build him up, then tear him down!

When I read his "five year plan" I had to laugh!

Soviets used those all the time!

his maternal grandmother was a doctoral candidate.

he is entirely self made and utterly focussed on keeping his mind and body sharp and in shape.

the knicks owner is a spoiled brat of an heir who was born crossing home plate believing he has hit a home run.

he is entirely a product of circumstance and has been an alcoholic and drug abuser, attracting people of low character and alienating good, competent people. a bungler who hides behind an endless stack of chips and thinks he is a good poker player just because he can buy into every hand no matter how bad the cards.

if prokhorov had bought the knicks instead of dolan, who was handed the keys by his father, the knicks would not have become a laughingstock.

dk7th wrote:the nets owner was crushing adults at chess as a 6 year old boy. the dude has a superior intellect.

his maternal grandmother was a doctoral candidate.

he is entirely self made and utterly focussed on keeping his mind and body sharp and in shape.

the knicks owner is a spoiled brat of an heir who was born crossing home plate believing he has hit a home run.

he is entirely a product of circumstance and has been an alcoholic and drug abuser, attracting people of low character and alienating good, competent people. a bungler who hides behind an endless stack of chips and thinks he is a good poker player just because he can buy into every hand no matter how bad the cards.

if prokhorov had bought the knicks instead of dolan, who was handed the keys by his father, the knicks would not have become a laughingstock.

holfresh wrote:

dk7th wrote:the nets owner was crushing adults at chess as a 6 year old boy. the dude has a superior intellect.

his maternal grandmother was a doctoral candidate.

he is entirely self made and utterly focussed on keeping his mind and body sharp and in shape.

the knicks owner is a spoiled brat of an heir who was born crossing home plate believing he has hit a home run.

he is entirely a product of circumstance and has been an alcoholic and drug abuser, attracting people of low character and alienating good, competent people. a bungler who hides behind an endless stack of chips and thinks he is a good poker player just because he can buy into every hand no matter how bad the cards.

if prokhorov had bought the knicks instead of dolan, who was handed the keys by his father, the knicks would not have become a laughingstock.

I hope this is just ignorance...A entirely self made oligarch ...Nice one...

ol·i·garch/ˈäliˌgärk/
Noun:
A ruler in an oligarchy.
(esp. in Russia) A very rich businessman with a great deal of political influence.

Doe-lan
Noun:
pudgy son of Charles. inherited power and money. fancies himself a successful man and blues singer. Drug, Isiah and booze addictions.