Vladimir Putin’s friend Mikhail Prokhorov wants to transfer the Brooklyn Nets to a Russian-owned company — and maybe that’s a good thing.
Putin and the Russian army could help train Deron Williams, Paul Pierce and their teammates, turning them into the fittest squad in the NBA. They could do some training in newly annexed Crimea.
The more time Prokhorov spends in Russia, the less danger for Brooklyn, home to so many emigrés from his homeland. One asked me, half in jest, “Is there a plan for annexing Brooklyn? Putin may want to use the Navy Yard for his ships, and Floyd Bennett Field for his Air Force.”
“I love it so much here, but I would have to move if he comes,” my Russian friend continued. “Can you imagine headlines 10 years from now: ‘Crown Heights freedom fighters seize major Russian stronghold’ . . . ‘13 occupation troops found their end in the dark alleys of southern Bushwick.’ ”
It may be an advantage that some of the locals are well-armed.