Brooklyn Nets GM Sean Marks a Slam Dunk

General manager of basketball team the Brooklyn Nets, New Zealander Sean Marks, 45, ended up getting the job and producing a miracle turnaround while transforming Brooklyn into a prime destination that superstars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving both wanted to be a part of, Mike Mazzeo writes for Forbes. But at the time in early 2016, Marks’ report was underwhelming, too broad and lacking substance.

It wasn’t until Gregg Popovich and RC Buford’s disciple in San Antonio conducted his in-person interview in front of the team’s search committee that Marks rocketed up the GM rankings, Mazzeo writes.

“He blew us away,” said Mike Forde, who advised the Nets during the process.

When the process concluded, one candidate stood out from all the rest. The committee’s vote was unanimous. On 18 February 2016, the Nets announced that they were hiring Marks and he signed a four-year, US$9 million deal.

This is a re-telling of how the Brooklyn Nets landed Sean Marks, the first New Zealand-born player to play in the NBA – after nearly losing him.

Original article by Mike Mazzeo, Forbes, December 28, 2020.