Nets Management Is Toast

There are myriad sightlines to Mikhail Prokhorov's purchase of the New Jersey Nets. Locally, the injection of capital saves the team's move to Brooklyn. Thanks to Prokhorov's immense wealth -- only Portland's Paul Allen has fatter assets -- the Nets will surely become major spenders in coming years. And nationwide, the entrance of a Russian capitalist into such a high-profile American industry will surely draw massive attention, both good and bad.

But Dave D'Allesandro of the Newark Star-Ledger has his mind on the Nets basketball management structure. Rod Thorn, the team's basketball ops boss, is entering the final year of his contract. Same for coach Lawrence Frank. D'Alessandro notes that in his Tuesday LiveJournal entry detailing his interest in the Nets, Prokhorov cited the promotion of Russian coaches and managers as a driving force behind his potential entry to the NBA.

What that means for our comrades in East Rutherford ... well, it is not good. Like Dave D., I have a hunch Thorn, Frank, Kiki Vandeweghe and the rest of the staff will be saying "dasvidania" at season's end.

New owners habitually jettison management when taking over a team -- it's an accepted practice going back to the 1970s. And Prokhorov's a special case: he has money, he has nationalistic pride, he has a desire to further the careers of his countrymen and friends, he has an aching need to win (as seen with his CSKA Moscow club) and he has completely carte blanche. If Thorn's contract extended into 2010-11, perhaps you could see Prokhorov holding off on the upheaval. But the new owner has literally no incentive to stay with the status quo.

Maybe there's even an anti-incentive to staying with Thorn beyond April. I mean, the Nets have oodles of cap space this summer, and every superstar alive will be a free agent. July 1, 2010 is the opportunity for the Nets. Prokhorov is going to want his people in place for that.

Frank is good coach and will find a job quickly. Thorn, who has been around forever, might end up back at the league office (he's close with commissioner David Stern). But wherever they go, I am fairly convinced it won't be Brooklyn.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

9-23-2009 @ 4:04PM

JB said...

This is a joke. he seems like a smart and competitive man, what do you think he'll do...jettision NBA expertise for Russian coaches and a management who don't know the league or have relationships with the players...makes no sense. Do they know the college game? College Players? Maybe gradually he'll introduce Russian personnel but not immediately in those incredibly important positions.

9-23-2009 @ 4:08PM

thepimpjuicex said...

I agree, the net's management is finished but i think it will be better for the team. The nets now have a billionaire owner that can make things happen.

9-23-2009 @ 6:27PM

the cooker said...

Why the heck is this country even considering letting a Russian buy an American team that is worth a ton of money??? Watch out for David Stern and his global desires. The Nets could very well end up in Russia. Before you start bashing me stop and think about all the talking Stern has done about globalizing the NBA.

9-23-2009 @ 8:38PM

Giles said...

The US decided against socialist funding of the super sonic transport, so then it decided to ban super sonic flights over the US. The Seattle Super Sonics NBA team is now the Oklahoma Thunder. Without fly over rights within the US, an SST like the Concorde can`t make a profit. Russia has SST tech, but a rich Russian capitalist can`t automatically change US law to allow US over flight. Without SSTs, overseas NBA teams are not feasable. Much less teams the other side of the world, like Russia. The NBA may sponsor a Euro league, like it sponsors the WNBA, but regular games in the regular season are not possible. Teams have to clear time, before and after a long distance game, and just don`t have much time to be able to clear. An added round, after the NBA championship, versus the Euro champ would be possible. But not much in the regular season. And as mediocre at best as the Knicks and Nets have been, don`t expect the Russian to fear change. Change from mediocrity can build a winner, which is probably what he wants, not just treading water and making a small profit.

9-24-2009 @ 9:23AM

richcantwell109 said...

It seems whenever I disagree with a blogger, it turns out to be Ziller. L.Frank is NOT a good coach. Career record is an even .500, his teams under-acheive all the time. Only two seasons over .500 with: Kidd, Carter, Jefferson,, Kritic & Collins. I'm not saying the whole Russian deal is a good thing, but change is needed for this org.

9-24-2009 @ 1:42PM

sublicon said...

You know, I can't help but continue to point out the Chelsea FC example. Abramovich wasn't looking for the best Russian personnel, he was looking for the best personnel period.

Who will be our Jose Mourinho?? It's too soon to freak out over the possibilities yet.