New Nets owner Prokhorov envisions bright future

BOSTON - Mikhail Prokhorov took in his first NBA Finals game from a front-row seat for last night's Game 5 at TD Garden between the Celtics and Lakers. The new Nets owner sat with his new coach, Avery Johnson.

Perhaps what was more notable was who was sitting directly behind him: Dwyane Wade.

Prokhorov glanced over and smiled.

"I can tell you that the evening of the 30th of June," he told Newsday, "I won't be staying in Moscow."

Tuesday, he will be in East Rutherford, where Johnson will be officially introduced as the Nets head coach in a news conference at the team's practice facility. It was the first major decision of Prokhorov's tenure and wasn't exactly the kind of big splash that was rumored when he stepped in as owner. Initially, names such as Mike Krzyzewski and John Calipari were touted. Johnson was one of the first candidates contacted by team president Rod Thorn, however, and wound up being the last.

"He's a great coach," Prokhorov said of Johnson, who, at least, has the winning pedigree that appeals to Prokhorov. "He was Coach of the Year and he was a championship player. He has a winning spirit and that's very important for us."

What is even more important is Johnson's reputation as a coach and that his presence attract free agents this summer. The Nets, who were the worst team in the NBA this season, have the No. 3 pick and enough cap space ($26 million) to sign one max-contract player plus add more to the roster. The plan is to try to make an appeal to LeBron James, who is expected to at least talk to the Nets after he meets with the Knicks on July 1.

The Russian billionaire, who "grew up behind the Iron Curtain," called the experience of being at the NBA Finals "mind-blowing." Asked if the atmosphere made him excited to build the Nets back to this level, Prokhorov grinned. "I'm sure we can do better," he said. "Better."