From Russia with love: Mikhail Prokhorov perfect for New Jersey Nets

When it comes to ownership, fans fear the unknown.

The fear is that the billionaire, after assuming control over the club, will treat the fan’s passion like his personal play thing. Logos will be altered; bizarre marketing schemes will get the green light. And the fans will lose their connection to the club they love.

This is the worst case scenario, hatched out in the minds of irrational sports nuts, who live and die with their favorite team’s every move. On the flip side, the best case scenario is when a new owner brings fresh life and resources to a stale franchise.

Mikhail Prokhorov, Russia’s richest man, will fall into the latter category as the new owner of the New Jersey Nets.

Call it the Roman Abramovich factor. Prokhorov, like Chelsea FC’s famous owner, is part of Russia’s new elites called the oligarchs, who amassed massive wealth in the 1990s. These men are Alpha males; they excelled in Russia’s cut-throat business environment and despise losing.

The club’s culture will improve with Prokhorov holding a majority share. And being so competitive, he won’t accept a poor record or mediocre play. From top to bottom, the Nets will have a greater sense of urgency next year.

The money helps. At a time when franchises are slashing costs and salaries, Prokhorov possesses the type of disposable income (he’s worth approximately 9 billion) to turn the ‘Swamps of Jersey’ into a destination. He’ll spend on extra luxuries that appeal to millionaire athletes.

For years, the Nets were linked to a new arena as part of a redevelopment project for the Atlantic Yards region of Brooklyn, New York. However, Bruce Ratner, the club’s former majority owner, couldn’t finance the project on his own.

With Prokhorov in the fold, the Brooklyn arena again looks like a go. Barclays, a massive British bank, are rumored to have interest in buying naming rights and the 6-6 Russian will bring other international contacts to the franchise.

The timing is perfect. With a rich owner and developing core, the Nets are suddenly attractive to free agents next summer.

Sound off in the comment box: Is Prokhorov good or bad for the New Jersey Nets? Follow Oly on HoopsVibe and Twitter. Photo courtesy of Mitya Aleshkovsky.

NBA stars who must bounce back in 2010: Bogut-Redd, Ellis, Arenas, Iverson, and McGrady

They’re under the gun.

With training camps scheduled to open, these ‘five’ NBA players are hoping to resurrect their stalled careers in 2010. The pressure to relive past glory, fulfill their potential, and silence the critics must be great. For them, everything is hedged on the coming season.

On Wednesday, HoopsVibe The Blog hit you with the first in this ‘Listed’ series, where we named five players (#10-6) who must bounce back this year. Today, we announce our top five. As always, read the post, form thoughts, and get at us in the comment box below.

#5) Andrew Bogut and Michael Redd … (Technically, these are two players, but they’re in the same predicament.) 

One was drafted first overall and handed a $68 million extension based mostly on unfulfilled potential. The other is a star shooter, but, after scoring a $93 million contract, should be performing at a higher level.

To be fair, Bogut and Redd missed significant time with injuries. However, small market Milwaukee can’t afford top supporting pieces, so they have to get maximum value from these two players. Bogut and Redd must develop into a dominant inside-outside duo. 

#4) Monta Ellis …

Last summer, the lightning-quick Ellis signed a $66 million contract with the Golden State Warriors. He celebrated his newfound wealth by wrecking his ankle on a moped -the vehicle of choice for teenage boys, not millionaire athletes.

Of course, Ellis, who was in violation of his contract, lied to Warriors’ management, claiming the injury occurred during training. He was caught and then suspended by the team.

Ellis and the organization must stick together, though. After all, Don Nelson has the perfect system for Ellis’ speed, while Golden State could soon need a new franchise player if they move the talented Stephen Jackson.

#3) Gilbert Arenas …

Is Arenas still a stone-cold assassin or just a shade of his former self? 

This is a fair question. After all, Agent Zero has become Agent MIA, suiting up for just 15 games the last two seasons due to injuries. Missing so many games didn’t stop him from talking smack or scoring a lucrative $111 contract, courtesy of the very loyal Washington Wizards.

The pressure is on Arenas to lead the revamped Wizards deep into the playoffs. Along the way, we’ll see if he is still the player who killed the Chicago Bulls with his dramatic playoff buzzer-beater or if he has lost a step. 

#2) Allen Iverson …

In Denver, he was blamed for the Nuggets lacking chemistry. In Detroit, he was blamed for the Pistons imploding, even though he was acquired for his expiring contract. In Memphis, right or wrong, he will be blamed if things sour with the Grizzlies.

Iverson, who waited all summer on ‘a fair contract offer‘, eventually settled for a one-year, $3.1 million pact from the lowly Grizzlies. Clearly, the past few years have taken its toll. At 34, ‘The Answer’ has to redeem his reputation in 2010 if he wants another NBA contract.

#1) Tracy McGrady … 

For years, McGrady teased us with great regular seasons, but never lead his team past the first round of the playoffs. More recently, his play tailed off due to injury, age, and, quite frankly, apathy.

Then last season hit. McGrady went down with a micro fracture injury and watched his Houston Rockets win that ever elusive playoff series before pushing the world champion Los Angeles Lakers to seven games in the Western Conference Semi-Finals.

This summer, many predicted retirement. However, having a front row seat for Houston’s playoff run seemed to light a fire under the former superstar. Reports indicate McGrady has been working out all off-season with world famous trainer Tim Grover in hopes of re-establishing his game in 2010.

Bottom line: what happens next season will determine how ‘T-Mac’ is remembered.

What NBA star needs to bounce back the most in 2010? Well, let us know in the comment box below. Follow Oly’s work on HoopsVibe and Twitter. Photo courtesy of Keith Allison.

Video: Spencer Hawes and Nate Robinson celebrate Washington’s upset over USC

Like you and me, NBA players are sports fans.

For instance, last weekend, the Washington Huskies upset the USC Trojans in NCAA Football. The win was sealed with a dramatic field goal. However, for me, the most entertaining part wasn’t the game, but watching former Huskies hoop stars Nate Robinson and Spencer Hawes celebrating the victory on the sideline.

Hawes, currently a member of the Sacramento Kings, is the seven-footer in the purple Huskies cap, while Robinson, a restricted free agent, is the hyper fellow, donning the backwards New York Yankees cap. Check out their chest bumps in the clip below and tell us your thoughts on Robinson and Hawes’ reaction. 



Follow Oly’s work on HoopsVibe and Twitter. Clip originally found on the great dimemag.com. Photo courtesy of bballchico.

NBA stars who must bounce back in 2010 (#10-6): Calderon, Dunleavy, Ginobili, Marion, and Brand

HoopsVibe The Blog has another basketball related list for fans to weigh-in on. We call it ’Listed’ …  

Like stocks and real estate, their play fell off in 2009.

Fortunately, the coming season presents a chance at one thing: redemption. Expectations can be met. Salaries can be justified. Reputations can be saved. And just like investors and homeowners, fans are hoping to once again become bullish on their favourite players. 

With training camps set to open shortly, HoopsVibe The Blog has ten players in desperate need of a bounce back campaign in 2010. Today is ten through six. Tomorrow (Thursday) is five through one, so check back for the rest of this piece in a day. As always, read the post, form thoughts, and get at us in the comment box below.

#10) Jose Calderon …

Two years ago, he could do no wrong. The Spaniard chased T.J. Ford out of Canada, won Toronto’s starting point guard spot, signed a $45 million multi-year contract, and looked to be on the verge of stardom.

Then it all went Peter Tong. It started with that God awful picture with the Spanish national team. Once in Toronto, Calderon couldn’t handle starter minutes, got hurt, and, unlike Stella, never got his groove back.

Much has been made of the Raptors’ off-season overhaul. This is fair. However, ‘The Dinos’ don’t qualify for the playoffs in 2010 unless Calderon finds to his old form. 

#9) Mike Dunleavy, Jr.

Occasionally, Dunleavy has shown enough to justify being handed the keys to both the Golden State Warriors and Indiana Pacers. Most of the time, due to either injuries or inconsistency, he has been a disappointment.

Next season, everything must fall into sync. The Pacers, who have been losing money hand over fist, need Dunleavy and Danny Granger to develop into a top duo and help the club become relevant again in Indianapolis.

#8) Manu Ginobili …

When their super-sub is healthy and performing, the San Antonio Spurs are a top squad in the ultra competitive Western Conference. When their super-sub is injured or not performing, they’re remarkably vulnerable.

Last season, it was the latter. Still, credit small market San Antonio for spending on salaries when most teams are conserving cash. But Richard Jefferson, and his 20 million dollar per annum contract, will be a waste if the Argentine has another sub par year.

Simply put, Ginobili has to create mismatches against other second units for the Spurs to have any shot at another championship.

#7) Shawn Marion …

Not long ago, The Matrix was considered an MVP candidate. And those that didn’t see him as an upper-echelon player had no choice but to admit his athleticism was a key for ‘Seven Seconds To Shoot‘. 

However, somebody started whispering in Marion’s ear that the grass could be greener if he left ‘The Desert‘. So, he foolishly requested a trade and got stuck in two situations that weren‘t a match for his very specific skill-set: Miami and Toronto.

Now, with Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki as his running mates, Marion is trying to re-establish his career in Dallas.

#6) Elton Brand …

After inking a controversial max deal with the Philadelphia 76ers in July of 2008, Brand got hurt and missed most of the season. Injuries weren’t his biggest problem, though. The stocky post excels in a half court game and, when healthy, seemed utterly out of sync with the run-and-gun 76ers. 

Brand has played 37 games in the past two years and 2007 was a disappointment. He is now at a crossroad. This season will determine if Brand regains his old MVP calibre form (2006) or continues to slide. 

What NBA star must bounce back in 2010? Let us know in the comment box and come back for the rest of this list. Follow Oly on HoopsVibe and Twitter. Photo courtesy of john20413 .

Why Steve Nash is “a real long shot” to play for Canada at FIBA World Championship

It would have taken one phone call.

That’s all Steve Nash would have had to do for Canada Basketball to roll out the red carpet and hold a roster spot for him on the team heading to the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey.

Instead of calling in a favor with the organization he represented for a decade, the former NBA All-Star told reporters at his ‘Showdown in Downtown’ charity soccer game in Vancouver that he wouldn’t play at next summer’s tournament and reiterated that his international career is likely finished.

“I think that (playing in Turkey) is a real long shot,” said Nash.

“I have so many commitments already and my commitment to the Suns. Something would have to give and I don’t know if I could make it through physically and mentally. Like I said, five or six years ago, my time with the national team is probably over.” 

Nobody should be shocked Nash won’t suit up for Canada, but not for the reason he mentioned. At Saturday’s event it was obvious he’s in terrific shape, fully capable of dominating both the soccer pitch and basketball court.

Nash could be passing on the World Championship for a different reason: he didn’t play in the qualifying FIBA Tournament of the Americas and doesn’t want to disrupt chemistry.

It’s becoming all too common with national programs. NBA superstars let lower level pros take care of business during the qualifying tournaments and, once the team has secured a spot in the Olympics or World Championship, they suddenly become available to represent their country.

These arrangements divide teams. After all, players toiling in various European leagues get the grunt work of long training camps and gruelling exhibition games, while the NBA hotshot gets the spotlight and accolades of high profile events.

This can create problems. For instance, Philadelphia 76ers centre Sam Dalembert was kicked off the Canadian team at the Beijing Olympics for not gelling with teammates. Dalembert became a Canadian citizen months before the 2008 Olympics.

USA Basketball stumbled before the recent ‘Redeem Team’ because its best players believed tournaments and training camps were optional. The Americans only reclaimed their perch atop the world’s basketball throne in Beijing after their elite talent made a three-year commitment to the program in 2005.

Nash understands joining the Canadian team after it had done the heavy lifting at the Tournament of the Americas might not jive with some teammates. Worst of all, he’d have to take a roster spot from someone else

Watching Nash give to others at his ’Showdown in Downtown’, it’s no surprise he’s opting-out of the 2010 World Championship. Instead of criticizing, we should appreciate his decision.

Got thoughts on Nash not playing at the 2010 World Championship? Should national programs give NBA stars a pass for qualifying rounds? Sound off in the comment box below. Follow Oly on HoopsVibe and Twitter. Photo courtesy of Mike Wu.

Hasheem Thabeet on Allen Iverson and Zach Randolph in Memphis: “Everybody will get theirs”

Breaking NBA news mixed with our quick analysis …

Today, I watched Hasheem Thabeet do it all at Steve Nash’s ‘Showdown in Downtown’ Vancouver.

The second pick in the 2009 NBA draft notched a brilliant goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC development squad during an eight-aside soccer match, represented the Memphis Grizzlies with class, and easily manoeuvred through reporter’s questions on new teammates Allen Iverson and Zach Randolph.

“For us we want to run. And for us to bring Allen Iverson on the team, he wants to push the ball all the time, so for us it’s a great addition. And everybody (Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo, and Zach Randolph) is going to get theirs.”

“I also speak to Zach (Randolph) a lot. When I was in Los Angeles before the draft, I used to go in the gym and work out with him, so he going to help us a lot.”

I’m still unsure of the mix in Memphis. Older heads like Iverson and Randolph will want the majority of shots to re-establish their names, while younger stars like Gay and Mayo also need the ball to make an impact.

Something has to give. New coach Lionel Hollins will have the most unpleasant task of mediating disputes because everybody isn’t ‘getting theirs’ as Thabeet says. Still, on paper, the Grizzlies have improved and, after years of being an afterthought, there’s finally a buzz in Memphis for the coming season.

Is Thabeet right? Will everybody ‘get theirs’ with the Grizzlies? Follow Oly on HoopsVibe and Twitter. Photo courtesy of JPLui.

Video: Steve Nash’s latest Vitamin Water ad, featuring 50 Cent and the Antoine Walker ’shoulder-shimmy’

It’s the best one yet.

Yesterday, Steve Nash released another amusing youtube video for Vitamin Water, the upstart company he endorses. In typical Nash style, his latest work is smart, self-deprecating, and, most importantly, amusing. 

Two things stand out when watching this clip. First, the two-time MVP is rather convincing as an Anthony Robbins self-help guru. And second, at the end of the clip, Nash, whether intentional or not, pays homage to former NBA All-Star Antoine Walker with a little ‘Toine inspired shoulder-shimmy. 

Watch Nash’s latest spoof and get at us with thoughts in the comment box below. For good measure, take a trip down memory lane with Walker’s infamous shoulder-shimmy, too.



(’Vitamins. Water. Repeat. No thanks.’)




(Remember Antoine Walker and his shoulder-shimmy?) 


Follow Oly on Twitter and HoopsVibe. Photo courtesy of Keith Allison.

Washington Wizards must tell Gilbert Arenas to grow up

Breaking NBA News mixed with analysis …

Their News: "If you have a kid that loves basketball, that eats, sleeps, drinks and thinks basketball and all he knows is basketball and he gets hurt and he’s your franchise player, you need to hold him back from himself," Arenas told the newspaper. "If I’m saying I feel good and you know it’s supposed to take six months, instead of letting me at four months run ... they should have held me back. Rather than saying, ’Let’s let this guy do what he wants and use him to sell tickets’ — sometimes you have to protect players from themselves. I don’t feel like I got that type of protection." (ESPN News.com)

My Quick Reaction: Nothing is gained by throwing the organization under the bus.

Today, that’s exactly what Gilbert Arenas did -publicly blaming the Washington Wizards for his injury woes and claiming the team’s medical staff were partially responsible for him missing so many games over the last two seasons.

And, just to rub salt in that giant wound he created, Arenas claimed the team should have ignored his pleas to play and kept him on injured reserve. ‘The Hibachi’ also alleged that the Wizards rushed him back prematurely to ‘sell tickets‘.

Well, at least, he didn’t blog about it.

On the one hand, Arenas may be right. Washington’s trainers and doctors could be sub par when compared to new trainer Tim Grover. And, perhaps, these doctors and trainers are partially at fault for him spending most of the last two years on injured reserve.

On the other hand, Arenas couldn’t be more wrong in how he addressed his concerns -through the media. Such problems should be addressed behind closed doors. Make no mistake about it, going public will rub many the wrong way.

Abe Pollin, Washington’s owner, has always emphasized loyalty and respect for all, even in the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately NBA. In fact, many have argued his old school values are why the Wizards have struggled year-after-year.

Still, win or lose, Pollin has maintained that nobody is bigger than the team. For instance, he once handed the great Michael Jordan a multi-million dollar severance and kicked him out of the organization for abusing employees and young players like Kwame Brown.

So how will Pollin handle these comments? After all, he showed great loyalty to Arenas by personally approving a $111 million contract last summer, despite reports his combo guard’s knee hadn’t healed.

Then there’s the medical staff, who can’t be blamed if they hold a grudge against Arenas when training camp opens in a few weeks. Going forward, doctors and trainers will be nervous when treating his injuries because they don’t want to risk winding up in the news.

His teammates and coaches can’t be overly thrilled, either. During this interview, Arenas mentioned that “All-League and to play as many games as possible” were his goals for the coming season. There was no talk of collective achievement like winning 50 games or qualifying for the playoffs, which reveals much about Arenas.

Arenas isn’t a bad person. And he possesses an exciting skill-set. He still thinks it’s all about him, though. For the Wizards to move forward in 2010, somebody has to tell him otherwise.

Get at us with thoughts on Arenas’ comments? Follow Oly on HoopsVibe and Twitter. Photo courtesy of Keith Allison.

Why Bryon Russell STILL hasn’t had enough of Michael Jordan

As my talented colleague Chris Sells reported, Byron Russell hasn’t had enough of Michael Jordan.

Years ago, Russell became part of NBA history when Jordan nailed a championship winning buzzer-beater on his head. Of course, ‘His Airness’ brought up some ancient trash talk and that epic shot during last week’s Hall of Fame speech.

Russell, right or wrong, didn’t back down, immediately calling out Jordan to print reporters and challenging him to a game of one-on-one:

“Out of all the people (Jordan) came across, he thought about me. I’m happy to be in his Hall of Fame speech.”

“To me, that’s the greatest play in basketball history. It will stay that way because (Jordan) will always be the greatest player to play the game. I didn’t mind. But the referees didn’t make the call on the push off. It’s long done and gone. It was a call that wasn’t made on a play that was great.” 

“I’ll play his ass right now. This is a call-out for him to come play me. He can come out here in his private jet and come play. He’s got millions of dollars. He can pay for the jet. He can meet me at the Recreation Center in Calabasas. We can have Mark Jackson do the commenting. We can have Mitch Richmond do the officiating. We can put it on T.V. and see if Michael’s still got it.” (found on Sells, HoopsVibe via Yahoo sports)  

It appears Russell still hasn’t had enough of Jordan. A few days after these comments, the veteran upped the ante by taunting his former foe in an ESPN television interview, even using props like orange Gatorade and a hand-towel to convey his point.

This is all publicity. Russell, who has been scheming on a comeback for years, is trying to leverage the situation into a tryout. For instance, instead of wearing a suit or even a golf shirt for a nationally televised interview, Russell specifically sported a cut-off ‘tee’ because he likely wanted to give the impression he’s in shape.

Clearly, Russell hasn’t had enough of Jordan. But has the NBA had enough of Russell?

Watch the clip and get at us with thoughts on the purpose behind this interview in the comment box below.




Follow Oly’s work on HoopsVibe and Twitter. Photo courtesy of mjlsha.