For the sake of his reputability as a business man and the future of his franchise, here’s hoping Mikhail Prokhorov knows the name of his team’s new general manager after all.
The Brooklyn Nets announced the hiring of longtime San Antonio Spurs official Sean Marks as general manager on Thursday morning. Pertinent details from Brooklyn’s release on this development are below.
The Brooklyn Nets announced today that the team has named Sean Marks as General Manager. “After an exhaustive vetting process, we are delighted to have Sean as our General Manager,” Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov said. “His experience on the court, in coaching and management gives him a 360 degree view of the job at hand. His background helping to build one of the greatest teams in the NBA gives him an unparalleled frame of reference. And he impressed us all with his vision, his values, his personality and his enthusiasm for the club. The vote to select him from an incredible list of talent was unanimous. We welcome Sean into our Nets family and look forward to his strong leadership and independent thinking as we build our own success story.”
Prokhorov’s glowing words come barely more than 24 hours after he told assembled media that he had never heard of Marks. Once the social media rumor mill suggested the 12-year NBA veteran turned down a position with Brooklyn, Prokhorov denied widespread reports that Marks was offered the job and maintained he’d “never heard this name before.”
Mikhail Prokhorov said he hasn't offered the Nets open GM job to anyone. Says he needs about another week to make a decision.
— Andy Vasquez (@andy_vasquez) February 17, 2016
When asked specifically about Sean Marks, Prokhorov said: "I have never heard this name before."
— Andy Vasquez (@andy_vasquez) February 17, 2016
https://twitter.com/SBondyNYDN/status/700041661787828224
That’s not a good look for the Russian billionaire, obviously, and certainly doesn’t suggest the managerial about-face needed to help turn his organization around. What does, however, is the appointment of Marks – irrespective of the awkward circumstances that led to him joining the Nets.
Marks, 40, spent the past five seasons with the Spurs. He was named San Antonio’s assistant general manager prior to last season, and was utilized as an assistant coach and in the basketball operations department in years prior. As it became increasingly apparent earlier this month that Marks would take a more prestigious job elsewhere than remain with the Spurs for the long haul, Gregg Popovich showered him with praise.
“He’s going to be a star,” the legendary coach told the San Antonio Express-News of Marks. “He really has a great feel for talent and has a great personality, really commands respect and gets along with people. He is going to have a bright future.”
Well, as long as Prokhorov can remember who he is, of course.
(Via Nets)
