What does that mean? From whom to whom? Impressive accusation. Let's hear your examples of other owners making secret payments to players, Woj. That was nothing compared to Wojnarowski claiming there have been under the table payments by "plenty of American-born owners." Without all the vague padding, the article would have been too short and ol' Woj wouldn't get paid. Here is the article's only substance, the core which Wojnarowski should have put near the top. He should have asked, was the $3.1M Kirilenko's true value, or is he worth closer to $10M?
That's just it... he played more like a $3.1M player last year than a $10M asset. I'd be more interested in interviewing the Timberwolves' brass about how they probably forced him out of his deal. The only time Woj mentions the Timberwolves in his article though is when he brings up the KG-to-Boston conspiracy theory. How about the fact that they probably made it clear that they didn't want him for that money and somehow strong-armed him out of that $10+ mill? Maybe that's where he should be directing his story, instead of pulling this sensationalist journalism stunt. My question is, even for a man who can buy the world, why would he not only give Kirilenko "under the table money" but also have to pay triple his contract in luxury tax, for a player of that caliber? He may have made his means illicitly and have billions more than estimated, but I'm sure he's no dumbass when it comes to valuing his assets. On the other hand, I really don't care if Prokhorov is doing shit under the table, and I like the fact that he's involved in the game... he's like a more fun Mark Cuban. It's just funny to see his blatant disregard to the CBA's cap restraints.
For those who can't or won't figure out the elliptical article, I'll summarize it. After you subtract the 90% of Wojibberish, what remains is the last 2 excerpts I cited. 1) Kirilenko declined his player option of $10M for a 2nd year with the Wolves. Woj says the Spurs tried to offer $8M but found obstacles unknown to Woj. The insinuation is that the agent, bribed by Prokharov, created the unknown obstacles. (Maybe Kirilenko was the Spurs' backup plan if Portland outbid them for Splitter.) Woj doesn't know of any other team's interest or he'd say so. Then Joisy signed him for $3.1M. With no other offers to compare, we don't know whether $3.1M is his true value. Woj's insinuation: Kirilenko left Minny for a raise above his $10M, of which $3.1M is legal under the CBA. The rest is under the table. 2) Teletovic, out of the good of his heart, gave back $6.7M so the Nets could sign Dwight Howard. Woj's insinuation: The player got the $6.7M from Prokhorov outside CBA rules.
I think it's pretty awesome that an owner would pay that amount to build a championship contender. The blazers used to have an owner like that.
Remember the twolves joe smith debacle. It is hard to believe that an owner would risk those kind of sanctions.
I suspect Prokharov, NCAA-style, is paying players off the books. Wojnarowski irritates me with his grandiose writing style. With cloudy wording, he inflates the number of contacts who have expressed interest to him. Pat Riley told a Miami reporter that he thinks Prokharov has been above-board. Who knows whether Riley is truly saying what he thinks. https://mobile.twitter.com/joegoodmanjr
Re: that twitter account. Go down a few lines. Coach Sheed yells more loudly than anyone in the gym--at his Piston players, the opponents, and the referee. He even draws up plays in the timeout. I don't know how to copy and paste tweets. It doesn't work for me. I have no account.
The owners must love him too, hes gotta be subsidizing 3 or 4 of the bottom feeding teams with all the money hes paying.
Exactly! The teams probably bitching are the Knicks, lakers and heat. They are the high media markets with owners that have the big bucks to buy players. They don't want another player in town.
DRAMA. Sure its possible that Kirilenko could be paid under the table, but Andrei is known for giving his money to charity, it's unlikely Andrei needs more money. At this stage in his career it's pretty understandable for him to take a pay cut to play for a contender. It is pretty funny though what the south beach star fest has created in the NBA. Hope Stern is proud.
Yeah, I'm sure money isn't a huge deal at this point for AK. Besides the money he's made, isn't he married to the Russian Britney Spears? So he gave up money to sign with the only Russian owner in the NBA.... A man with significant power.
It's much harder for the NBA to track Prokhorov's money (as well as Kirilenko's) than it is an American owner and player. I'm certain there's some kind of backdoor arrangement through a Russian-controlled bank. That's what happens when it becomes a world game. Everyone may know something shifty went on, but it can't be proven.
I'm surprised the most obvious example of this wasn't given: Jerry West (allegedly) using his connections with Memphis to fleece Memphis for their franchise player at the time, Pao Gasol. Memphis gave away Gasol to the Lakers for crumbs, not even entertaining other offers, gifting the Lakers their 'big 3' and leading to the championship. That was the biggest heist of all time, at the time, regardless of the fact the low rated Marc Gasol turned out to be a good player in his own right. I'm just surprised he'd mention McHale and not mention West.
