@ChrisMannixSI: Perhaps the greatest press conference ever. Prokhorov, King were unequivocal. Melo will not be a Net

Is it the final nail in the coffin or just one more sign of gamesmanship? For the Pistons sake, I’m hoping the latter. The Associated Press has the grisly details:

NEWARK, N.J. – New Jersey Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov has told the team to end discussions on the Carmelo Anthony deal.

In a news conference before Wednesday night’s game against Utah, Prokhorov said he decided on Tuesday to stop pursuit of the Nuggets All-Star forward, unhappy with how things played out in public.

The new owner says the deal took too long and became too expensive.

Prokhorov also says he has called off a scheduled meeting with Anthony.

If this is true, it is a truly sad day for Richard Hamilton and the Detroit Pistons.