Did Russian ‘Spies’ Push Out Rod Thorn?

The NY Daily News claims that Rod Thorn — who plans to retire next month — was tired of having to answer to Mikhail Prokhorov and his “spies” within the Nets’ organization: “Rod Thorn’s decision to retire as president of the Nets was likely hastened by the presence of what he perceived to be Russian spies inside the team’s offices, sources say. According to sources close to the team, Thorn had quickly grown tired of having to answer to associates of new Russian owner Mikhail Prokhorov, who took control of the Nets in early May. After months of dealing with Prokhorov’s underlings looking over his shoulder, Thorn decided to walk away. He will step down on July 15, one week after the free agent signing period begins. Before news of his impending retirement broke Friday night, Thorn told the Daily News that he had no issues with either Prokhorov or his field generals. ‘That’s not right,’ Thorn said. ‘And I’m really serious, that’s not right. The new ownership has been great to me. I think they’re going to be the best owners in the league.”‘