When word first came that Mikhail Prokhorov wanted to upgrade basketball operations, one of the early ideas floated by Bobby Marks, then #2 to Rod Thorn, was a takeover of the Nets' D-League affiliate, the Springfield Armor.  The proposal languished for a time, but the Springfield Republican reports Thursday the deal is done.  Nets are taking over basketball operations at the Armor next season. 

Beginning in 2011-12, the Armor and the Nets will enter into a "single affiliation partnership", which will give the Nets control over the basketball operations of the D-League team while picking up the tab, Jeff Thomas of the Republican writes.