The New Jersey Nets may be changing locations sooner than expected since Russian multi-billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov just bought out 80% of the franchise. NBA commissioner David Stern has widely opened arms out to Prokhorov with the belief that the new deal will benefit the league on an international level.  Standing at 6′6, the richest man in Russia was also a stand-out ball player back in the day.

Many owners and players are excited for the NBA’s new international addition.  Russia has a proud basketball history and currently serve as top contenders in the Euroleague.  Despite the country’s success that includes their recent Euro Championship run in 2007, the only Russian player in the NBA right now is Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko.

Highly outspoken Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is another opinion that is thrilled with the Nets new beginnings.  “I love it. I think he will bring fresh ideas and viewpoints, and hopefully this will be the start of a trend toward international investors,” Cuban said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. “Plus, I took Russian in high school, so it will give me a chance to refresh.”

The Nets franchise began as members of the ABA in 1967.  After going back and forth between New Jersey and New York they landed in East Rutherford, NJ in 1981.  After 30 years in the Izod Center, the organization will find their new home in New York.

The last time the Celtics and Nets met, the Celtics made it look easy in a 118-86 rout. Saturday night’s game was no different, with the C’s nearly doubling up on New Jersey in the first half. The Celtics benefited from Rajon Rondo’s near triple double (9 rebounds, 14 assists, and 8 points, along with 2 steals),  solid play off the bench from Leon Powe and Eddie House, and Ray Allen’s 25 point effort.

“It was a great start,” C’s coach Doc Rivers told the AP. “It’s one of the things we talked about. If you get off to a good start, it gives you a chance to play well the whole game. I thought the whole team was running well.”

The Celtics will host the Phoenix Suns at home tonight at the Garden. Keep your eyes on Shaquille O’Neal’s Twitter feed in case he any enlightening post-game comments.

Boston Celtics Tickets are available now!

As the New Jersey Nets clear cap space (getting rid of Richard Jefferson’s contract in the trade for Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons) the rumors and speculation of Lebron James in New York get louder. Lebron, a frequent visitor to NY, and lists it as his favorite city.

“My favorite borough? Brooklyn, said James. “Brooklyn is definitely a great place here in New York City, and some of my best friends are from Brooklyn, so I stick up for them.”

Among those friends is hip-hop icon Jay-Z, a close friend of James’ and partial owner of the Nets. Jay-Z helped orchestrate the 2010 relocation of the nets to Brooklyn; the first pro team that will play in the borough since the Dodgers in 1957.

James can opt out of his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Summer of 2010, and would become an unrestricted free agent. The future Brooklyn Nets would still need to move Zach Randolph, and either Eddy Curry, Jared Jeffries, or Jamal Crawford to free up enough cap space to pay Lebron a max contract.

The Knicks would also be in a position to offer max money to Lebron, although they would not be ready until 2011.