Mikhail Prokhorov responds to critics in London press conference

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Updated: January 17, 2014

 

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Mikhail Prokhorov spoke to the media today while attending the Brooklyn Nets game against the Atlanta Hawks in London where his Nets lambasted the Hawks 127-110.

Today was the first time since opening night that Prokhorov has seen his team in person. Many NBA pundits have been questioning his role as an owner of an NBA team and calling him an absentee owner.

Prokhorov responded to those criticism’s today as reported by the New York Post and New York Daily News

[quote_box]“I am very busy because I am president of the Russian Biathlon Union, so I have a lot of jobs to do during the Olympics,” he said. “But, after the Olympics, I, of course, will be at more games.

Frankly speaking, there’s a lot of criticism that I am not in Brooklyn. But I just have a question for you: Do you really think you need me sitting in the arena to see a game?” said Prokhorov, noting that he has been busy preparing for the Winter Olympics in Sochi as the president of Russia’s Biathlon Union.

My friends, we are living in the 21st century. And in spite of the fact I have no computer, I still have a subscription for NBA games and, for me, it’s like enough to even have a look on the stats so you can understand what is going on. …So like I’m full in, I’m all in for this team and I think it’s the only way how to reach championship.”[/quote_box]

The second criticism he made reference to was how he seems to have more patience with head coach Jason Kidd than he did after he fired Avery Johnson a year ago when he had a 14-14 record.

[quote_box]“What is more important is that Jason Kidd is becoming more and more comfortable. And what is important is he has the support of the players,” Prokhorov said when asked about the difference between coaches. “And that’s the only way how we can conduct together. So everything is okay because, of course, we can’t make any excuse with injuries. And what I’m glad to see is the players stepping up in the situation. Now everything is more or less okay.”[/quote_box]

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I have always been aggravated by the “absentee owner” comments from the media because if he were a “hands on” owner like Mark Cuban or Jerry Jones those same people would be bashing him for being too intrusive.

I just feel like in New York you just cant please all of the masses so go about your business as you always have and let the chips fall where they may.

Prokhorov is a different type of billionaire who tends to try and stay out of the media if at all possible in the states.  He has many ventures outside of the Nets that have worldwide implications so if the media and NBA gurus cant understand that then so be it.

Keep doing what you are doing Proky and when the Nets finally put it together and make a run then you can come back to the states and give everyone the bird.

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