Here we go again, Brooklyn Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov has made another bold statement about his team when it comes to the Knicks/Nets rivalry. On Friday in an interview, prokhorov said the New York Knicks are ” the second team in New York.” He was then asked if his Brooklyn nets are ready to take on the Knicks in the season opener the Barclays Center. Prokhorov answered that question by stating “Excuse me, what is that name?”Ah, oh, Knicks. Yes, I’ve heard about this second team in New York.”
Later on in the interview, Prokhorov got a little more serious and talked about how much good the born again rivalry will be for New York. “I think we’re getting to where we will have an epic rivalry” Prokhorov said. 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 statement made by Prokhorov was not the first time that the brash owner has made a statement against his cross-town rivals. Recently, he referred to Knicks owner James Dolan as “that little man” during an interview with New York Magazine. and after buying the nets in 2010 he told the media that he was going to “turn Knicks fans into Nets fans.”
The Nets have not made the playoffs since the 2006-07 season. But Prokhorov, the Russian billionaire, opened his wallet over the summer, allowing general manager Billy King and assistant GM Bobby Marks to dish out more than $330 million to retain superstar point guard Deron Williams and surround him with talented players like shooting guard Joe Johnson.
Prokhorov is clearly trying the make the Nets relevant and make a name for themselves. The borough of Brooklyn has been without a professional sports franchise since 1957, when the Dodgers left the Brooklyn for Los Angeles. “Not everyone, in their lifetime, gets to witness an event that changes a city,” Prokhorov said. “Maybe those who witnessed the building of the Brooklyn Bridge could say that. Barclays Center will be the heart of Brooklyn.”
I am sure that there will be many more verbal shots fired as the upcoming NBA season grows near. this will truly be a rivalry that will be worth the price of admission each time the Knicks and Nets go at it.
Follow Jon Wilhelm on twitter @jwilhelm24
Also available on facebook under Jon Wilhelm
Original Story:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NewYor...
|
September 28, 2012
