2014 NBA Playoffs: 10 Burning Questions (Part 1)

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7. Was that massive payroll worth it for the Brooklyn Nets?

Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov cares not for the ways of the frugal. By dropping more than $120 million on his roster for the 2013-14 season, not to mention a guaranteed $253.9 million when all is said and done, Prokhorov has brought forth a bold new ownership strategy in trying to conquer the Miami Heat that must have been inspired by Tom Haverford: MAKE IT RAIN ON THE REST OF THE LEAGUE!

What about the salary cap? The salary cap? We must blot out the Heat! No salary cap can stop this downpour! But what about paying an estimated $80 million in luxury taxes? Good! That’s another $80 million to make it rain down upon us! Okay, how about overpaying players who haven’t ever panned out to be superstars like Joe Johnson and Deron Williams? Why sit under the umbrella of common sense? We shall dance in this rain and be merry!! But wasn’t paying over-the-hill guys like Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce AT LEAST a tough decision? WHY MAKE DECISIONS WHEN YOU CAN MAKE IT RAIN INSTEAD??

Jul 18, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov is surrounded by the media during a press conference to introduce the newest members of the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports /

Unfortunately for Prokhorov, that happy-go-broke approach didn’t pan out for the Nets. Though they swept the Miami Heat in the regular season, LeBron James and company bested Brooklyn in five games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. After starting the season off with a 10-21 record, it’s amazing this team turned itself into a semi-contender or even made the postseason at all (mostly because the East is a big steaming pile of manure, but still). But with KG’s retirement a strong possibility and Pierce’s best days clearly behind him, not to mention impending MRIs for Williams and an injury-ridden Brook Lopez still needing to be dealt with, you have to figure this team will look very different next season. Hope you enjoyed the rain while it lasted, Mr. Prokhorov.