NEW YORK — The Nets' game plan to suit up Carmelo Anthony against the Jazz on Wednesday night — dubbed "An Evening of Russian Culture Night" — cannot succeed unless Mikhail Prokhorov, who will be in attendance, met with the Nuggets' fast-fading franchise player days beforehand to alleviate concerns he might have about becoming the team's marquee attraction in Newark for 1 1/2 seasons before it shifts to his beloved borough of Brooklyn.
That would mean Prokhorov almost certainly had to travel to Denver in the last 48 hours, because Melo's schedule was kind of set. Logic dictates they probably were introduced Friday.
Don't misunderstand; it would be erroneous to represent the majority owner's trip out west as a recruiting mission.