Prokhorov, Destined for Media Infamy

Tom Ziller has his own take over at AOL Fanhouse, seconding Wojnarowski’s fine work, but alternately worrying that the hysteria that’s sure to ensue in the New York media will ultimately cast a shadow on Prokhorov’s players:

Where the real damage will be done over the next few years is in the New York media, where every report of a lavish Prokhorov party will be accompanied by snarky headlines and faux-puritanical finger-wagging. Certain sectors of journalism know how to prosecute the young and rich in the public eye — heck, basketball players know that better than most. While I won’t cry for Prokhorov’s coming exposure, and obviously think any illegal activity should be covered vigorously, I’m a bit worried this will all become a Page Six running gag, and Nets players (current and future) will be tarred by association. What’s the saying? “Don’t hate the player?”

And while I certainly agree that Prokhorov was made for the New York Post, et. all, I think that any connection between Prokhorov’s exploits and the character of his players will be strained, at best. On the one hand, you have a group of people (NBA players) that already party hard. Presumably, partying with Prokhorov (if that ever happens) will put them in the spotlight and cast them in a more negative light than that to which they’re accustomed.

But on the other hand, these are NBA players. We (the fans) already overlook so many moral indiscretions (marital infidelity, children out of wedlock, general conduct fit for a mid-90s Puff Daddy video), that it seems foolish to think that Mikhail Prokhorov will somehow make the world pay attention to the illicit behaviors of athletes. Stars and role players do crazy things all the time, but for the most part, those actions are obscured by amazing play on the court--because it's Lebron James--or ambivalent reactions from the fans--because we're talking about an 8th man for the Nets.

In the end, stars like Lebron James or Dwyane Wade will be mythologized just the same, and someone like Nets rookie Terrence Williams will be ignored, all while Prokhorov parties on.