The Brooklyn Nets are having an awful 2015-16 season thus far, and there really isn’t much to look forward to on the horizon.
In an open letter on Yahoo Sports, Nets’ owner Mikhail Prokhorov talked about the lessons he has learned as the owner of the Nets.
“In 2012, the Nets relocated from New Jersey to a sparkling new arena in the heart of Brooklyn, and we wanted to make that move as splashy and fun as possible, he said. So we went with the idea that no money was to be spared. Get high-value star players, whatever it takes. Bet on the quick win and throw everything we’ve got at it.”
“This got us to the playoffs three years consecutively, but not far enough. And, as the person who signed the checks, lemme tell you, it cost a boatload. We had been told that you can’t buy a championship. Truer words were never spoken.”
The decision to bring in stars like Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett looked good on paper, but never played out like the Nets would have hoped.
“The problem for the Nets has been lack of concept, the Nets’ owner said. Instead of being opportunistic, working all the angles and trades, we must have a strategy about the team’s identity, he said. Do we want to be choosy and wait for a star player to build around, maybe sacrificing a season to get him? Do we want to focus on the power of the whole by choosing young players with specific talents to work together? Will we choose mettle, commitment and heart over pure stats? Are we offense-based or defense-based? What are the core capabilities we will focus on to win in the long term? These are the questions that must be answered before any other decisions are made, and these are the questions at the top of the agenda for the new management team.”
Brooklyn will be entering a new era with new leadership soon, as forming an identity will be the goal of the next coach and general manager.
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“Not everyone is made to play in Brooklyn. That’s one of the very important things we’ve learned. The fans are rightfully demanding, the market is high pressure and the media is doing their job and paying attention, Prokhorov said. We need coaches and players who reflect this, who are tough, and have a winning attitude with total commitment. This means we look for a team of people with a real passion to be here, and we don’t pull teeth trying to convince them. It’s an honor to play for Brooklyn. Period.”
Despite the struggles, Prokhorov is still committed to making the Nets one of the best teams in the NBA.
It’s okay to admit mistakes, as long as you never admit defeat! At the Brooklyn Nets, we are now poised to refocus our efforts on disciplined analysis and planning. Our fans in Brooklyn and beyond deserve a team worthy of their time and devotion, and we’re going to give them one. Lessons learned.