Word Surfaced Prokhorov Shopping For New Ownership for Nets

The Brooklyn Nets contributed to another loss for the eighth time in nine games when they fell short to the Washington Wizards, 99-90 at the Barclays Center Saturday night.

Paul Pierce, who played with the Nets for one year after the Brooklyn franchise failed to sign him for the 2014-2015 season, recieved a mixed welcoming from fans when he was announced in the starting lineup with the Wizards.

The Nets visited Washington last night and cut their seven-game losing streak with their 102-80 win over the Wizards. However, it was a different story when the Nets played host.

Lopez helped his team keep the game close with a half-time score of 51-50. Neither team led the entire game by five and then Brooklyn made it even at 81 early in the fourth quarter, But the Wizards' dominance, including a three point play by Nenê contributed to a loss of momentum.

Jarrett Jack was Brooklyn's leader finishing with 22 points and 8 points. Joe Johnson finished with 15 points.

"Tonight, obviously, they [were] more desperate, knowing that we went into Washington last night and got a win," Johnson said after the game. "So we knew we were going to get their best shot today, but I thought we played great. I just think down the stretch we couldn't get stops and we couldn't make shots to get us over the hump."

It seems as though the loss to Washington is the least of Brooklyn's worries. In a team where consistency, unity and rhythm still haunt them, the team now faces ownership turning its back on them. Word spread earlier this week that owner Mikhail Prokhorov is looking to sell the team.

Three years ago when the Nets moved from New Jersey to the Big Apple, Prokhorov made a plan to win a NBA title within five years. Since then, the team has struggled with four different coaches—Avery Johnson, P.J. Carlesimo, Jason Kidd and current coach Lionel Hollins. Not to mention, Johnson was fired in the middle of the season and Carlesimo, who took over was not renewed for the 2012-2013 season.

Add to ownership and coaching disruptions, rumors have also spread that Brooklyn is looking to shop its star-injury plagued players Deron Williams and Brook Lopez around.

Only time will tell when it comes to the Nets.

Jason Kidd Comes Out on Top Despite Boos from Nets' Fans

Jason Kidd, former Brooklyn Nets head coach and now head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, was booed during the start of the Nets game against Milwaukee Wednesday night at the Barclays Center, but he got the last laugh after stomping his former team in a triple OT 122-118 win. The Bucks had just beaten the other New York team a day before at home, and Kidd's intentions were to show off his young team to a possible new rival.

Kidd had Brandon Knight to thank, after the 22-year-old former Kentucky Wildcat missed a layup that forced his team to go into a second overtime. Knight clinched the tying 3-pointer in the second overtime and hit both free throws with 5.6 seconds to go in the third.

"My teammates trusted me to make the next shot to force a third overtime, so that's really what it's all about," Knight said, "and we stuck through it as a team."

In the arena where Kidd's retired jersey hangs high in the rafters, fans have yet to forgive him for leaving the Nets after only one season to take the coaching job for the Bucks. Kidd was booed and heckled as a traitor. One fan was even brave enough to shout out "you suck" during a pause in the singing of the national anthem. The heckler was heard throughout the arena, prompting other fans to laugh and cheer on.

Kidd, who went 44-38 in his only season as Nets coach was rumored to have left after a falling out with Nets management. Kidd left before the Nets could actually fire him, although Nets GM Billy King previously denied that he wanted to fire Kidd in December 2013—after losing 21 of their first 31 games last season. The Nets hired Kidd in June 2013--weeks after he retired as an NBA player.

While talking to the media on Wednesday after the game, Kidd poked fun at the fans, confident after his team's victory.

"It was a big character game for our young guys," Kidd said. "I have bad hearing anyways. So I thought whatever the greeting was, it's about the players. People don't pay to come see the coach, they come to see the guys play."

Bad hearing or not, the win was actually a "big character game" for Kidd.

Kidd seemed his normal self, sharing some laughs with Joe Johnson, and even made it clear that his last defensive play in the second OT was for Joe.

Joe Johnson, Brooklyn Nets Shooting guard/Small forward

Moments before the third overtime, Kidd let the Nets' bench know that he knew the play would be called for Johnson. And it was—but Johnson was unable to clinch a 2-pointer to win the game.

Johnson, known for his calm demeanor kept the focus on his team, pointing out the struggles the Nets are facing.

"We've got to find some ways somehow to get a win," Johnson said after the game. "When you're in a rut like this, it's tough. You've got to do all the little things. When you do get that win, it won't be certainly easy."

A Healthy Deron Williams was a Recipe for Brooklyn Nets 110-99 Win Over the Knicks

For the first time as a coach, Derek Fisher stood along the sidelines as his New York Knicks faced a 110-99 loss to the Brooklyn Nets Friday night at the Barclays Center. And for fans--the game seemed like a rivalry between the two New York teams, and perhaps a win for for bragging rights, but for Fisher---the loss meant none of the two.

Fisher, a former Oklahoma City Thunder, although most known for his role on the Los Angeles Lakers has no idea of the subway match between the two teams and quite frankly he's trying to dismantle the thought of a such rivalry.

"Rivalries are not really created until there's been some playoff history and some playoff battles with teams. I know it's fun for folks to talk [and] write about, but in my experience...its not really a rivalry until you beat each other with a huge...prize at stake, and that hasn't happened just yet," Fisher told reporters at a post-game media conference.

The 40-year-old rookie coach stressed the importance of team work, and said he's still learning about the Knicks. What attributed mostly to the Knicks' loss was a healthy Deron Williams, who finished the night with a season-high of 29 points. Fisher blamed defensive communications on how the team guarded the All-Star point guard.

"I think it was a combination of some of our other defensive concepts—whether or not a guy didn't communicate on a pick-and-roll situation or if Deron Williams was isolated," Fisher said. "Deron is an All-Star player. He's healthy again. It's not about not shutting out Deron. It was a team game, and their team won.

Williams, who once played with Fisher while on the Jazz admitted that it was still a little weird seeing his former teammate suited up on the sidelines. Despite it all, he's still "happy for him."

Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams

"When he played and when I played with him, he was like a coach out there on the floor. I always thought that Fish would make a great coach if he ever decided to go that route. I'm excited for him," Williams said.

A healthy Williams is looking towards the future after being injury-prone for the last two seasons. Whether or not playing against the Knicks is a rivalry, a win is a win, considering the adversity that he's faced.

"Last two years have been a struggle," Williams said. "They're behind me now, looking forward to this one and we got a great win tonight."

The Nets lost to an inexperienced Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday night, and much of their 98-91 deficit is attributed to their weak finish in the fourth quarter. More than 16,000 fans gathered at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn to do exactly what they do everything game---cheer their team on. But, in the final few minutes, Brooklyn re-emerged as the same ole Nets. Yes, I said it, re-emerged. Is there anything special about the Nets?

The Nets have been Brooklyn's home team going into the third season, and I'm still watching the same ole Nets. Whether they win or lose, they're still the same ole Nets. Whether or not they have five new players this season, topped with a new coach—they still look like the same ole Nets. Although Deron Williams is healthy now and Brook Lopez seems fine, they are still playing like the same ole Nets.

A healthier Brook Lopez said he was "very disappointed in [himself]" after scoring 10 points Wednesday night. Deron Williams, who finished with 19 points also even expressed his disappointment for how they "closed out the game," but hopes to gain a win againt the Knicks when they play each other for the first time this season on Friday.

I mean, it's still early in the season, right? Although Williams' ankles looked healthy Wednesday, it makes me wonder if he still is the hero of the team. D-Will is undoubtedly Brooklyn's best player and it's evident that his teammates feed off his energy. But the question is, is Williams the best player by default? Is Williams a Derrick Rose, or even a Chris Paul? Back when Williams played for the Utah Jazz, there was much hype about him being one of the best point guards in the league, but can that argument even be supported today? Why are the Nets so reliant of Williams?

In order for the Nets to revitalize and rejuvenate, they need to reinvent their leader of the team. Joe Johnson needs to be more consistent, and the pressure on D-Will needs to be lifted. Otherwise, we'll keep seeing the same ole Nets.