The report that Lawrence Frank would be fired shortly -- touched on earlier by Tom Ziller -- stated that Frank's tenure might extend to the end of the team's West Coast road trip, and at the very least, through tonight's game against the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers.Turns out, the Nets' administration was apparently a little uneasy about everyone knowing that before the game, and have decided to fire Frank Sunday afternoon instead, replacing him in the short term with assistant Tom Barrise; no permanent replacement has been chosen at this time.
"Lawrence always approached every day with a passion for his craft that was infectious, and his dedication to the game as well as his work ethic are to be both admired and appreciated," Nets president Rod Thorn said in a statement. "I wish he and his family only the best of good fortune in the future."
Frank's tenure in New Jersey was pretty darn successful, all things considered, with the Nets making the playoffs in his first four seasons as a head coach.
Of course, when your team starts the season 0-16, despite the fact that ownership and injury managed to deplete the roster of most meaningful contributors, there is a good chance that any coach might be fired.
For Frank, the long-term repercussions of the firing are not horrible; as TZ noted, no one will really stare down this season as a reason not to hire him, and with ownership changes remaining potentially imminent, it might have been in Frank's best interest to get out of Dodge before the effects of this season become too lasting.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
I can't believe it, the Nets did something right for once? At least Frank won't have to share the embarrassment of leading a team to a 0-18 record.
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The Nets, like the Knicks, have quit not necessarily on the coach, but on the management who has communicated that this season (and its players) does not matter in light of the drive to the 2010 free agent bonanza.
Hell yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I feel that the Isaiah Thomas era, really
destoryed the Knicks and their fan base.The Nets
are truly are sespool quandry,basketball is
a plethro disgrace in this city called the
basketball mecca.
I never liked Frank but how does Rod Thorn get away unscathed. He traded Jefferson for Yi and Bobby Simmons. Ho did that work out? His trade of Vince Carter is not much better so far. I'm tired of hearing that Thorn is a good basketball man. He is very overrated.
the nets and the knicks casted there players and coach away a long time ago hopeing to get labron james next year saying nothing else matters intill next year,,well there is only one king james to go around who may stay in cleveland,the owner ship of the nets and knicks gave a real big fu to the fans last year and this year and your seeing the results,I am glad Allen Iverson didnt come here,it would have abeen a disrespect to him,
and is the nba still revalent
I guess you cant fire the players and you cant fire yourself so the only thing left is the coach. Rod Thorn will have the legacy of having drafted MJ. But he fell into his lap after Portland drafted Bowie. Who was a bust. If Thorn had the chance he would have taken Bowie and would not be in this position today. The NBA is boring and watching a few games is torture compared with NCAA. Its dribble for 20 seconds and then someone throws up a shot. No passion till maybe the 4th quarter. I keep getting asked to go to games and for nothing I wouldnt waste my time
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Talk about scapegoating. The Nets were a horrible team to start the season, then lost their best player (Harris) and other starters. They were playing with seven guys for a while, and still competitive in almost every game. They have some good young players (Harris and Lopez) that Frank helped develop--watch someone else take the credit when they are at full strength and get a few wins. Whoever gets Frank will get one of the best young coaches in basketball. Good luck to a class guy.
That Jefferson trade was a joke.
These guys traded this great player for a rickety 7 foot pussy, and a guy who thinks he's a three point shooter with no D.
Ratner made a deal with the Chinese television market, and that's why Yi's still there. And they have to play him, no matter how poorly he plays.
The Nets were my favorite team for years, and now I can't even watch a whole game.