As the ESPN lottery coverage opened, the cameras panned the room and a number of luminaries standing together before the start of the ceremony. And behind all them? The infamous Mikhail Prokhorov, standing stone-faced for a solid three seconds before the cameras moved away from him. God I’m glad to have this guy involved with the NBA.
2010 NBA Lottery: Mikhail Prokhorov Speaks!
Later, Prokhorov spoke to ESPN’s Heather Cox. It was only a brief interview, but it marked the first time the newly minted Nets owner has taken to live TV in the States. A few excerpts:
On his first priority as Nets owner:
“My top priority now? Is to win first draft pick.”
On his strategy to woo LeBron:
“I follow the rules of NBA. That’s why... I am not rich enough to pay the penalties now. That’s why my strategy is to build the NBA’s first gloabal team.”
And on his approach to ownership in the New York City area:
“It’s very simple, the way to success. We’re going to turn Knicks fans into Nets fans. That’s it.”
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