Mikhail Prokhorov Is New Jersey Nets’ Good Luck Charm

The New Jersey Nets are one of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference, checking in with a 12-31 record on the year. Team owner Mikhail Prokhorov recently went public to say the team was no longer focusing on acquiring Carmelo Anthony, feeling like the talks were distractions. Maybe the guy was right. Or maybe his mere physical, imposing presence scares his team into playing harder.

The Nets beat the Pistons at home Friday night 89-74 for just their 12th win. The Pierogi stuck around following his media conference to watch his boys play for the second straight game, and they showed their boss what they can do once again. New Jersey has now won two in a row, and as I learned from the Newark Star-Ledger, improved to 5-1 in home games attended by The Pierogi.

Most teams play well at home so it’s natural that Pierogi’s record would be better than the team’s, but 5-1 is still impressive. And if they can manage a win over the Mavericks Saturday evening, the X-ray machines at the airport will no doubt find a horseshoe up his butt before he flies home to Russia.