New Jersey Nets still believe they are in the race for Carmelo Anthony, and, if not, owner Mikhail Prokhorov thinks at least they made it harder for the New York Knicks.

In the latest developments in the rivals' pursuit of Anthony, the Knicks insisted on Sunday they are on the same page in their pursuit of the Denver Nuggets' All-star, and Isiah Thomas isn't involved in it.

Prokhorov told CNBC on Sunday he had a "fantastic" meeting with Anthony on Saturday night. The Russian billionaire had pulled the Nets out of talks last month, and even after they were recently renewed he said he originally had no plans to meet Anthony during the All-star weekend.

"As you know, my instinct was to stay away and I still think that is (the) right decision," Prokhorov said. "But when the meeting was fixed, (Nets general manager) Billy King called me and said, 'We need you.' I was convinced and I still think I'm right to stay away, but we have teamwork so sometimes we need to be all together."

Asked at Staples Center before the All-Star Game if he had any news on a deal, Prokhorov said: "I don't care."

AP

(China Daily 02/22/2011 page24)