May 20, 2010 – The Nets are getting blasted today for having the most ping pong balls and ending up with the third pick. After winning only 12 games this past year, they are accustomed to abuse, but they aren’t going to dwell as the whipping boy forever. Here’s the Top Ten reasons to expect the ascent of the Nets in the not-so-distant-future:

1. Mikhail Prokhorov

I won’t bore you by misquoting how many billions he’s worth, but he’s a basketball guy, a Russian Oligarch and the tallest owner in the NBA. Watch him become the “Anti-Dolan” in the New York market and infuse the Nets as an NBA destination.

2. Prudential Center

Spanking new and in the center of a historic NYC population center. The legend of playing basketball in the Meadowlands, a painful thing of the past. It’s just a three-year stop, but Newark will rock.

3. Cap Room

Whenever LeBron, DeWayne, Amare and Bosh decide their fates, the decision will hit you like getting a pub dart in the thigh. Trust that the Nets will be a major part of their thinking processes, and don’t be surprised when someone chooses them.

4. A New Coach

There will be a new coach and most likely, it won’t shock the senses although with Prokhorov, anybody can be in the picture. Phil Jackson? Larry Brown? A big college name? Mike Propkorov doesn’t even remember the John Calipari Nets days. Most likely a guy that will appeal to a free agent and more likely, someone who can bring improvement just by being on the bench.

5. The Third Draft Pick

Okay John Wall and Evan Turner are probably out of reach, but they aren’t sure things, and somewhere in this class is a player who you can hang your hat on. This is where good judgement comes into play and the Nets aren’t bad in that category.

6. Rod Thorn

Likely to be re-upped (bye-bye Kiki and hello Russian interns) and at the controls for the “Prokhorov Years.” Thorn gets to judge talent from the draft and free agency. He could be the best guy in the NBA for that job.

7. The Youthful Core

Brook Lopez is the best center in the East not named Dwight Howard. Devin Harris averages nearly 17 a game and is getting over durability issues and heading into becoming an NBA veteran at 27. The bench has surprising Kris Humphries, second year Terrence Williams, Josh Boone, Courtney Lee and Chris Douglas-Roberts. Add the rookie to the mix and Yi Jianlian and the new coach has something to work with.

8. Marketing Pizzazz

Beyonce and Jay Z sit courtside. Prokhorov will add a “worldly” and euro flair. The media is already drooling about the prospect of being able to “party” with Mikhail. Yi Jianlian brings China (could Yao Ming be in the free agent mix?). Talk of adding homeboy Shaquille O’Neal for 20 minutes of Brook Lopez rest would add a veteran leader and local boy focal point. The team’s rebuilding will correspond with the excitenment and attention generated by the rise of Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn.

9. Brooklyn and The Barclay’s Center

A burgeoning hip alternative to Manhattan, Brooklyn will tap a convenient transit system, and easy access from Westchester, New Jersey and Long Island, while tapping a residential core that has missed supporting a team since the Dodgers went to Los Angeles. A bevy of celeb rapper/actor hipsters are likely to take the camera-ready seats. A new arena will have automated pull and ticket-buying attraction. Trust Prokhorov to restore the attractiveness that was lost when they dropped the original Frank Gehry design.

10. Competing With The Knicks

With James Dolan in charge of the Knicks, the edge automatically goes to the Nets. If the Knicks can’t turn it around, they’ll go deeper into their hole, while the bright new Nets become a welcomed alternative in New York.