@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.

Indeed, Spears says, “Carmelo has told close associates the Nets still need to sell him on signing an extension with them, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.”

But I think that is less about having cold feet than wanting to be loved and get the superstar treatment he feels he’s entitled to for making a three-year commitment. I guess $65 million just doesn’t buy what it used to.

The reports indicate the parameters of the deal, which stalled in recent days as the Nuggets tried to extract more concessions and cost-savings out of the Nets, is going to look largely as it was originally conceived. In other words, Al Harrington and his $28 million contract is not involved. Detroit is still expected to send Richard Hamilton and DaJuan Summers to the Nets in exchange for the expiring deal of Troy Murphy and the Johan Petro. The Pistons will also reportedly receive a second-round pick for taking on the Petro deal.

Richard Hamilton, who got a DNP-CD in the altered Pistons lineup on Wednesday, is expected to suit up again tonight against the Toronto Raptors.