Decision to axe Nets coach easy: owner

Brooklyn Nets boss Mikhail Prokhorov says it was easy to fire coach Lionel Hollins, saying the their strategies were not the best.

The Brooklyn Nets head coach Lionel Hollins

The owner of the NBA's Brooklyn Nets says it was an easy decision to fire head coach Lionel Hollins. (AAP)

Brooklyn Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov says it was an easy decision to fire coach Lionel Hollins and re-assign general manager Billy King in the middle of the season.

Prokhorov took the blame for the Nets' poor play and called for a "small reset", at a news conference on Monday, a day after shaking up the organisation.

The Russian billionaire says the Nets' strategies were not the best way forward.

"I have to look at the reality and make a change if things are not going in the right direction," Prokhorov said. "That's what we have done. It was just very easy."

The Nets made the playoffs the last three years but are 10-27 entering Monday's game against San Antonio.

Their likely spot in the NBA draft lottery will go to Boston as payment from one of King's big trades, and they don't fully control their own first-round pick until 2019.

"Our approach helped us to reach three playoffs in a row but we have failed to go further. And for us it's important to go further," Prokhorov said.

"That's why we need a small reset for this year and I hope we'll be back not as a playoff team, as a championship contender. This is my only goal."

He promised to be around the team more for now to meet with potential candidates for the jobs.

Prokhorov says assistant general manager Frank Zanin will oversee the front office until King's replacement is hired.


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Source: AAP



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