The Nets will have to resort to Plan C or Plan D, if they have 'em! According to Nets Daily, "Mikhail Prokhorov, saying the negotiations had taken too long and had taken too much of a toll on his team, Wednesday, ended talks with the Denver Nuggets to acquire Carmelo Anthony. Saying his decision was final and that he was happy with the efforts of Billy King, the billionaire owner said the negotiations, which began in August, had cost the Nets games. Prokhorov said as well that he had permission from the Nuggets to talk to Anthony but no agreement on the final contours of the trade which would have been largest in NBA history, moving up to 16 players and $225 million in contracts." more ›

The Nets' season is quickly hitting the crapper with a six game losing streak, leaving them with a less-than-sterling 6-17 record. And while the mere fact that they exist may be enough to develop some fan base in Newark, it ain't gonna cut it once the team moves to Brooklyn in a few years. But you know what might get the fans in? Forget Carmelo Anthony—try free beer. more ›

New Jersey Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov has filed paperwork with the NBA to change the team's name when it decamps to Brooklyn in 2012. This doesn't necessarily mean that Prokhorov will change the name—the Daily News clarifies that changing the name is a long process that requires over two years of advance notice, so this may just be a placeholder in case Prokhorov decides he wants to change it to the Brooklyn Nyets or the Brooklyn Boondoggles or something. The In-the-Net Domains? Fine, what do you think he should change it to? more ›

The NBA's Board of Governors has approved Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov's purchase of the Brooklyn-bound NJ Nets. He becomes the first non-North American NBA owner, with 80 percent of the team and 45 percent of the Barclay Center under his control. In a statement released today, he oozed optimism about the future of last season's worst team in basketball: “For those who are already fans of the Nets and the NBA, I intend to give you plenty to cheer about.” more ›

Days after the Post had one of their "sources" describe Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz as "angry and embarrassed" over the prospect of a Russian-owned Nyets team at the embattled Atlantic Yards site in Brooklyn, Marty's fired back. Far from being embarrassed, he's simply delighted: "Brooklyn is the Russian capital of America, so [Russian playboy Mikhail] Prokhorov will feel right at home here, and I have been assured he will put the interests of Brooklyn first." Plus, given those Russkies' historic knack for winning basketball games against all odds, maybe New York will finally get a b-ball team to be proud of again? more ›

The Post gets one of their juicy "sources" to dish on Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz's reaction to the idea of a Russian-owned Nyets team. Markowitz, a big Atlantic Yards booster throughout the controversy and delays, is feeling a little burned at this point, according to "one operative": "It's a combination of anger and embarrassment. He signed on to a magnificent Frank Gehry-designed Brooklyn palace in the sky, and now he's got a foreign-owned big hole in the ground." But fuggedaboutit; it's still the best hole in the best borough of New York! more ›