Mark Cuban vs. Nets Owner in Kickboxing?

Cuban, who Prokhorov refers to as a friend, are said to be interested in Deron Williams if he became a free agent

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban better brush up on his kickboxing technique if he's even going to consider making a play for Deron Williams.

New Jersey Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov was Tuesday asked about potentially losing Williams to "his good friend" and the Mavs.

"Let the best man win. If he wins I'll crush him in the kickboxing throwdown," Prokhorov jokingly answered.

The comment drew a huge laugh from the roughly 100 members of the media who attended the news conference in the now dust-covered atrium of the new arena.

Prokhorov has met with Deron Williams to discuss his future with the NBA team, but the Russian tycoon refused to say whether the All-Star guard gave any indication whether he would opt out of his contract after this season.

If Williams opts to go into free agency this summer he could head home to Dallas. Willliams attended The Colony High School.

Prokhorov said both he and Williams have a tremendous desire to win which is something the Nets did not do enough this season. They are on the verge of missing the playoffs for the fifth straight season.

In a wide-ranging interview after he toured the nearly completed Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Prokhorov said the Nets are like his building, a work under construction. He said the arena will be one of the best in the world, and his team will win an NBA title when complete.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us