Atlantic Links: Nets, DiLeo, Knicks

Mikhail Prokhorov had plenty to say about the Nets at today's ribbon-cutting ceremony for Barclays Center, the team's new arena in Brooklyn. We passed along his praise of GM Billy King and coach Avery Johnson earlier, and he also made it clear that he won't let the luxury tax stop him from the pursuit of a championship, as Stefan Bondy tweeted. The Nets are already well above the tax line for this season, but in coming years, when the tax penalties grow more severe under the terms of the CBA, we'll see just how far Prokhorov is willing to reach into his deep pockets to enhance his team. The Atlantic Division is full of big spenders, and we've got more on the Nets' rivals here:

  • Tony DiLeo's experience and contributions to the deals that have shaped the Sixers, including the trade that brought Andrew Bynum to Philadelphia, make his promotion to GM a shrewd move for the team, argues Dei Lynam of CSNPhilly.com.
  • HoopsWorld's Derek Page examines whether the moves the Knicks made this offseason are enough for them to show significant improvement this year. 
  • Former Magic coach Stan Van Gundy also weighed in on the Knicks, expressing doubts about the team's backcourt and the ability of its frontcourt pieces to mesh to Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv. He also lauded the Heat's acquisitions of Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, and picks Miami to repeat.
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