[ESPN] New Jersey Owner says Wade and Bosh will play for Miami next season

Melechesh · Jul 6, 2010

http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/news/story?id=5357254&campaign=rss&source=NBAHeadlines

Chris Broussard said:

In this historic summer of NBA uncertainty, one thing is clear to Mikhail Prokhorov: Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh will play for the Miami Heat next season.

Another of Prokhorov's beliefs is that if LeBron James joins Wade and Bosh in Miami, The King could win "two or three titles" but "diminish the LeBron brand" because he'd be winning with such a power-packed lineup.

Those are two of the convictions the New Jersey Nets' billionaire Russian owner shared with his inner circle of executives before boarding his private jet and leaving the United States over the weekend.

After meeting with The Big Three of this summer's free agent class -- James, Wade and Bosh -- last week, Prokhorov held a conference call with some of his top executives from the Nets and Onexim, his holding company, to discuss his strategy and impressions.

ESPN.com has obtained notes from the meeting from a league source, and they provide interesting insight into the perceptions of the NBA's newest, most fascinating owner -- who above all, left his first foray into NBA free agency optimistic his Nets would soon be the home of James.

The Nets were the first of six teams to meet with James last week, and after what was, by most accounts, an impressive presentation, Prokhorov made these observations about James' decision-making process:

On the conference call, he categorized the options he believes James has before him: The "hometown angle" of remaining with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The choice to play with Wade and Bosh in Miami, where James would have a "very high chance to win two or three titles" but where he could also "diminish the LeBron brand."

Joining the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers or New York Knicks. These options, according to Prokhorov, are similar from a basketball standpoint and he believes none of the three clubs have a clear-cut strategy for winning championships.

Becoming a member of the Nets, who would give James the best opportunity to build a dynasty, become a champion and emerge as a global icon. To assure James of winning, Prokhorov said the Nets would pursue a trade for Chris Paul. He admits it could "take a year for the young roster to grow" but that after adding the right pieces around James, the Nets could win the NBA title two years from now. Prokhorov also believes James would benefit greatly on a global scale because of the synergy he'd have with Prokhorov and Nets minority owner Jay-Z, and that his brand would experience global expansion from Day 1.

Prokhorov was very optimistic about the Nets' chances of landing James and admitted to being intrigued by the choice the 25-year-old superstar would make. He said he has great respect for James' inner circle, which is led by business manager Maverick Carter, and he understands the challenge it faces in making such a monumental decision.

While discussion of James accounted for most of the conference call, Prokhorov also talked about Wade and Bosh, both of whom are represented by agent Henry Thomas. Prokhorov said he was very impressed with Thomas, but he also admitted it was a "dilemma to try and convince him to think on a global scale." He believes Thomas had rarely, if ever, been confronted with a globally-based package, "especially under such an intense spotlight."

Finally, regarding Wade and Bosh, Prokhorov told his inner circle he has no doubt that both will sign with Miami.

Prokhorov ended the call by detailing the Nets' championship strategy. First, he said they must get one or two of The Big Three to sign with New Jersey. If the Nets land James alone, he wants them to sign either Carlos Boozer or David Lee to play beside him. As the veterans lead the Nets to the playoffs, he expects the club's young talent, most notably rookie lottery pick Derrick Favors, to grow and develop their games.

In the event that the Nets fail to get James, Prokhorov said the club will seek to add other players, while also saving enough money to be active in free agency next summer. They will also look to improve their roster through "meaningful trades" that will set them on course to become the dynasty he so boldly predicted they would last month.
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Melechesh · Jul 6, 2010

Oops, already posted, lock this one please.
http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=189156

the_hustler · Jul 6, 2010

"Raptors have told Cavs they would do a sign-and-trade with them for Bosh. Cavs and LeBron working to convince Bosh to join them in Cleveland"
Broussard on Twitter

Melechesh · Jul 6, 2010

the_hustler said:

"Raptors have told Cavs they would do a sign-and-trade with them for Bosh. Cavs and LeBron working to convince Bosh to join them in Cleveland"
Broussard on Twitter
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IMO Bosh would love to join LeBron, but not in Cleveland, that's why I think he will eventually sign with the Heat. ( I don't think LeBron will leave Cleveland)

FLASH21 · Jul 6, 2010

Chris Broussard said:

Joining the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers or New York Knicks. These options, according to Prokhorov, are similar from a basketball standpoint and he believes none of the three clubs have a clear-cut strategy for winning championships.
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We know someone who doesss........

vince · Jul 6, 2010

I think it's the New Jersey Owner conceding defeat in his quest for any of the top free agents.

He doesn't know where these guys are going to play.

Fyreball · Jul 6, 2010

I'm not understanding why Miami has SUCH a freaking pull on this market. They have NOTHING to offer these guys except a city by the water. They have NO supporting cast, NO young pieces to build around (Beasley is a slacker, and Chalmers is limited at best), and either Erik Spoelstra, or a 75 year old Pat Riley. If Wade and Bosh think they're going to get past the second round with a team made up of the two of them, plus a bunch of vet. min. scrubs, then they clearly know nothing about what it takes to win. The year that Miami won the championship, that was a WELL-ROUNDED team with a near-prime Shaq, and tons of glue-guys like James Posey and Jason Williams.

kpsta · Jul 6, 2010

Fyreball said:

I'm not understanding why Miami has SUCH a freaking pull on this market. They have NOTHING to offer these guys except a city by the water. They have NO supporting cast, NO young pieces to build around (Beasley is a slacker, and Chalmers is limited at best), and either Erik Spoelstra, or a 75 year old Pat Riley. If Wade and Bosh think they're going to get past the second round with a team made up of the two of them, plus a bunch of vet. min. scrubs, then they clearly know nothing about what it takes to win. The year that Miami won the championship, that was a WELL-ROUNDED team with a near-prime Shaq, and tons of glue-guys like James Posey and Jason Williams.
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And don't forget... the team they played in the Finals was the Mavericks. CHOKE!

Melechesh · Jul 6, 2010

Fyreball said:

I'm not understanding why Miami has SUCH a freaking pull on this market. They have NOTHING to offer these guys except a city by the water. They have NO supporting cast, NO young pieces to build around (Beasley is a slacker, and Chalmers is limited at best), and either Erik Spoelstra, or a 75 year old Pat Riley. If Wade and Bosh think they're going to get past the second round with a team made up of the two of them, plus a bunch of vet. min. scrubs, then they clearly know nothing about what it takes to win. The year that Miami won the championship, that was a WELL-ROUNDED team with a near-prime Shaq, and tons of glue-guys like James Posey and Jason Williams.
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They have a superstar in Dwyane Wade, a proven GM/possibly coach (hey, a ring is a ring), and the south beach. Yeah I don't think it's too far-fetched to say Miami is a desirable place for free agents. You also hear Raja Bell, Raymon Felton and Ray Allen would like to play there.

Ramathorn006 · Jul 6, 2010

Okay I hope this madness stops soon. This is getting ridiculous. If they know where they are going to sign just tell us so we can move on with our lives and explore other options.

Air Langhi · Jul 6, 2010

Where is the fine. Stern is not going to like this.

deleah09 · Jul 6, 2010

this is the same guy who said the nets will make the playoff this coming up year and in 5 years when a champinship loco

pdewalt · Jul 6, 2010

deleah09 said:

this is the same guy who said the nets will make the playoff this coming up year and in 5 years when a champinship loco
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Depending on the CBA outcome, I think he would accomplish what he said by spending money on quality players. I wouldn't discount him so quickly.

Furthermore, if LeBron goes to the Nets and the roster stays somewhat intact, they would be a top 4 team in the East at worst next year. I also wouldn't be surprised to see either Lee or Boozer along side him. That's a nice starting rotation (although I'm not sure about their SG).

Depressio · Jul 6, 2010

Bosh and Wade going to Miami would help the Nets get LeBron. Shocking that he would say something like that which could help his own team!

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[ESPN] New Jersey Owner says Wade and Bosh will play for Miami next season

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