NBA Rumors: Mikhail Prokhorov Should Be More Focused on Running New Jersey Nets

So here are the New Jersey Nets, their future on the line trying to land Dwight Howard in order to keep their other superstar, Deron Williams, with the team for their move to a new arena in 2012. And what is their owner, Mikhail Prokhorov, doing?

Well, he's busy running for president, of course.

I have one question: Where are his priorities?

It seems that the Nets are simply a stepping stone for the Russian billionaire in order to attempt to build a worldwide market for himself. It's the only explanation I can think of for an NBA owner who should be more focused on building his team into a winner, not running for president.

Not to mention, if the Nets don't land Dwight Howard, their organization could be in shambles. This doesn't seem like the right time to be concentrating on a presidential bid and if Prokhorov thinks it is, he should step down and sell the team to somebody else.

Give me whatever righteous excuse you want to give about saving his country—Prokhorov bought this team and his No. 1 priority should be this team. Instead, he will be campaigning and instead of keeping his eyes on competing with the rest of the NBA, he will have his eyes on defeating Vladimir Putin in his native country.

To me, this becomes a mockery of the franchise he's been working so hard to rebuild. You mean to tell me, if he wins the election, he'll be focused on that NBA team he bought while he's trying to fix an entire nation?

It's utterly ridiculous to think that the majority owner of this team is more concerned with being a political hero than a good owner. Good owners focus on their team first and the other nonsense should take a backseat.

The Nets owner said he wanted to make this team a winner, but it seems to me he's more concerned with making himself a winner. Let's just hope the Nets don't suffer as a result of this grab for glory.

I think as long as Jay-Z and Nets general manager Billy King are more focused than Prokhorov, the Nets should be just fine.