Brooklyn Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov speaks to the media before...

Brooklyn Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov speaks to the media before an NBA game between with Nets and the Oklahoma City Thunder at Barclays Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2014. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke

Mikhail Prokhorov no longer is a fan of the guy whose jersey hangs in the Barclays Center rafters. Not after his power play expedited his exit to Milwaukee to coach the Bucks.

On the anniversary of Jason Kidd's regular-season coaching debut, Prokhorov made it clear that he wasn't thrilled with Kidd's antics over the summer leading to his departure.

"There is a nice proverb in English: Don't let the doorknob hit you where the good Lord split you," Prokhorov said before Monday night's game in his first public comments since addressing reporters in London in January. "So I think each side did what we thought was the best, and I like what we have now. I think our structure is optimal. We have a very strong, experienced coach and very strong GM, Billy King."

In a wide-ranging chat regarding a variety of topics, Prokhorov was his usual entertaining self and suggested he plans on keeping his imprint on the franchise for years to come. Although reports recently suggested he was pondering selling the Nets after seeing the hefty prices paid for the Clippers and Bucks, he said he has his ears open in the event he's approached about minority stakes.

"My position is that I will not give up control of the team," said Prokhorov, who said the team is worth "five, six times" more than the $200-million price he paid for the Nets in 2010. "But you know, I am quite happy when somebody sending me a nice offer without taking my control of team. I think, for the time being, nothing is imminent. But still I think it's not bad just to listen."

He said he remains committed to opening up his checkbook and bringing the Nets a title within that five-year window he spoke of in 2010. "I'm ready to spend, but we need to keep this balance between young players, talented players, and between veterans," he said. "We need to not only think about the result [and] we need success now. But also we need to think about the future."

Prokhorov nearly chuckled when asked how the report that the Nets lost $144 million in basketball operations last season affected his thinking.

Said Prokhorov: "It's not a big deal, just because I personally compensated this money from my pocket, and that's why I will keep the structure for the time being."

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