Does this mean they won’t sign any D-League players again?

doubt it.

Thorn deserves to earn or tie record for worst NBA team ever by his lack of actions before and now after trade deadline.

I can’t believe Prokhorov would freeze the budget for this season if Thorn explained the consequences.

Why should fans support this team?

@jerry25

Who ever said Proky was freezing the budget? He still hasn’t officially taken over. And if buyout candidates aren’t going to take less than they’re owed, why would the Nets pay them their full amount to go away? How does that make any sense?

Re Kerber’s column on Nets losing lead in games and the game at the end, zone defense, etc: The Nets desperately need a REAL coach!!! I guess there’s no hope of hiring a coach this late in the season. Therefore, we will most likely break the Sixers record. Sigh!!

That stupid record is boring. Somebody will always hold it and if we end up holding it, so what. Do you think Philly fans go around thinking about their all time losing record.

I doubt it. Trivial pursuit fans might think about it, but real fans get on with it…

@Anthony
It only makes sense if he wants Nets to win at least 10 games!
Proky has been calling the shots all along, with the help of Ratner’s signature. Thorn believes he is carrying out Proky’s wishes. That should be obvious with his no-comment remarks after meeting in Vancouver.

If Thorn doesn’t want to spend any money, then Proky/Ratner don’t want him to spend any money.

The only net cost is the $ amount to pay D-Leaguers or to get one of the other NBA players who was just released.

There has been an open roster spot for many weeks. No need to buy anyone out – just spend some money.

Winning 10 games ASAP would stop the media frenzy which will make the Nets a laughing stock on every comedy program. And that would impact free agency.

See this is the type of thing thats a joke. We’re the worst team by far and we’re paying these retreads whether they sit on the end of our bench or not. We might as well just cut ties and try out some top d-leaguers to see if we can find a diamond in the rough. Not to mention this is probably the type of thing that makes veterans less likely to sign with you.

Maybe we should get 9 wins and tie the record. Then nobody can say for sure who was the worst all time team. LOL

I am beginning to think that Nets would rather lose with Yi rather than look for a partial replacement from the D-League.
Imagine the embarrassment it would create.

A worthy D-Leaguer could always be brought back for pre-season tryouts, if not given a conditional/partial contract this August.

As I’ve said recently, something isn’t right with Yormarket making decisions concerning marketing Nets in China (using Yi’s name) and with Kiki being pushed onto Thorn by David Stern. It seems that Thorn may not have control of the situation right now.

At least Nets aren’t being reckless like Knicks, who continue to change their roster – most likely for the worse.

No matter what happens to this team in the next few years I still feel strongly about holding onto Humphries ,Dooling and Hassell…….These guys play their rears off when they are on the court not to mention that they set Great examples of Hustle and competitiveness for the young guys……For the minimal amount of money that they will cost I feel the benefit of having them come off the bench and be in the locker room will be well worth it….And Battie looked pretty good when he was given a chance also…

what did you guys expect ?

they slacking man

We should hire a team psychologist because these kids are going to need lot of therapy, especially when we don’t get a marquee free agent.

Just came from a Spurs blog (48minutesofhell.com) and fans there are exactly the same as they are here. Blaming the coach and his rotations for everything. And this is Greg Popovich we’re talking about. They’re saying their losing is all his fault, why is he playing Bogans and Bonner, he’s giving them preferential treatment, etc etc

“I mean come on guys, I like Pop for what he did yesterday too,

But he is not my daddy….Which means I could never be a Spur!

Cant play for Spurs unless Pop is your daddy!"

Sound vaguely familiar?

And this is from a fan base whose team is 34 and 24. Goes to show you, fans all over are all the same.

This just shows how selfish these vets are. They aren’t willing to give up a little money to go to a better team. They deserve to rot on the Nets bench.

I agree with Anthony, Joanne and Gina, right now it’s all about the sale to make sense to the new genious who’s buying this, they don’t care about improving the team at this point, the development of the young players is just a cover up for the ridiculous sale status we are in now.
After Proky takes over he will then decide how much they woould want to spend, this summer’s FA will only sign for the Nets if the money is right for them, no FA eager to win a championship is gone want to join the cellar of the NBA, look how the media was making fun of us after the win over Boston as if that was a shock and Boston must have something major wrong with it and hit rock bottom.
Houston is an example of rebuilding, they did not have to tear the house down to rebuild, they are still in the playoff picture that’s in the wild west, that has wining record teams from 1 to 11.
Unfortunately for the Nets it’s all about the money now, and it will be years till they can turn it around, this years damage enormous, I hope I am wrong.

Marco you are wrong.

What part of “no owner” do you guys not understand? Also, what does Yi have to do with this, or is this an obligatory “Yi suck it”, like in every article?

If having an Ch1nese player on your team was so hot, everyone team would have one, no? It can’t be because Yi is actually the best PF the Nets can get right now… no that would make too much sense.

Hey afterall, it’s the Nets and common sense aint welcomed in these parts. Y’hear?

saw battie, simmons, boone etc last night playing family feud at Izod. they already knew they weren’t changing zip codes.

@ Anthony

Getting rid of vets who will be gone by next year for D-Leaguers makes sense because there is the possibility that we could find a player or two to bring back and contribute next year.

what else is new…

Both Battie and Simmons have nothing left. No one even offered them the league minimum for the rest of the year. AND neither of them was willing to give up a dime. We got stuck with both of them as a result of salary dump deals for Jefferson and Vince, so they being here is not really Thorn’s fault. I guess you need to have at least 12 or 13 healthy bodies to practice with. I hope next year there will be some room for a couple of hungry D-Leaguers on the 15 man roster, and maybe even a slot left after camp breaks for someone who is cut from a really deep team and is an upgrade to our bench. If I were Proky, I wouldn’t give either Rod or KIKI more than a one year deal, and if they don’t land SOMEBODY as a free agent to upgrade us on the front line then they should be fired next year. Really. I am not expecting any of the big three to sign with us, but I EXPECT a strong effort aimed at at least a couple of the second tier free agents. We will have the cap room and Proky’s money, so there will be no excuse for not being able to get upgrades at the 3 and 4, and a backup for Brook. We have enough guards, and a 25% chance to draft Wall. If we don’t get the #1, then we should at least be able to draft a decent power forward from this draft class. I am still sick from losing that last game to Washington. We break ground in Brooklyn next week, we have cap room and draft picks. I remain hopeful.

Hey, I don’t disagree that it would make sense to buy out guys if they’re willing to take less money, but Proky’s not the one calling the shots. Ratner’s saving up his money, and while I don’t like the decision (I’d love to see some Boom Tho on the Nets, for instance) I can understand it financially.

Good. We shouldn’t be helping the Celts win championships.

LOL what? The Celtics had an interest in Simmons? I bet a concession stand employee got food poisoning or something. That would be the only use for him in Boston.

Danny Ainge must be on DRUGS if you even considered bobby simmons

The Celtics are headed right for the toilet, they look old and beat up. Be sure to wave hello on the way up folks

The way I understand it, these guys could still be bought out to play to help a team make it to the playoffs, or get a better record. That way they could still show off their goods for next year.

Apparently, they are either lazy (Simmons) or expecting to retire.

I believe all along Thorn was sending signals to other teams that they have to work with their agents to negotiate a discount. Thorn was playing hardball. It didn’t work, but Rod didn’t really care.

If Battie & Simmons can’t help, let alone play for a team thats 6-53 who can they help?

I’m in shock, dismay, i am hurt that one of these obese veterens couldn’t be bought out. It would have been nice to see them sign a sharpshooter, whoever it may have been

Meh, I guess whoever said it was right. With no owner there’s just no way they could make any moves. It may only be 100,000 but with no owner they can’t just make 100,000 fall from the sky.

@ Mr. DB, yeah pretty much, they went all in with a bunch of old talent, it worked for them for two years, kind of, and now they’re saddled with a top heavy old roster and too many financial commitments to really fix anything. They’re probably going to fall apart pretty fast.

LAST NIGHT IN D-LEAGUE AND THE NBA
  
REGGIE WILLIAMS (Golden State call-up)—20 minutes, 10 points, (4-7, 2-2 from three), 5 rebounds, 5 assists, +2.
DWAYNE JONES—26 points (8-12, 10-17 from line), 14 rebounds, 2 blocks, 5 steals, 1 assist.
  
Reggie Williams would have been perfect for the Nets. He led the NCAA in scoring twice at VMI. Clearly better than Trenton Hassell and CDR and probably Jarvis Hayes. The 5 assists are impressive for a non-point guard. Good three-point threat.
  
Dwayne Jones with only 14 rebounds (5 offensive) is a drought. Nice surprise with 5 steals.
  
Again, the Nets have an open roster spot (Sean/Shawne Williams waivers) plus plenty of dead wood (Tony Battie, Bobby Simmons).
  
Again, they’re too cheap to offer even a 10-day contract to check out talent. Incredible.

We have no owner in place to make any moves Barry

“Let them eat cake”, is what Bruce Ratner said

It would have been nice of these guys (Simmons, Battie, and even the venerable Hassel) would have exchanged “financial favors” to get lost just so that the Nets could bring in some wild card young guys to mix in a bit. It would just add some mild interest to this heinous situation.

That said, I don’t feel the D-leaguers they would have brought are the reason why the Nets will or will not get the 10 wins necessary to avoid the dreadful record. Just like the awful players we are discussing here.

Right now, it seems that how the Nets will fare the remander of this season (just in terms of getting to 10 wins) seems to rest on the shoulders of mostly what Hsrris does. When he plays at a higher level than he has most of the year, the Nets can compete a little bit. Lee has picked it up. Lopez is pretty steady. Nobody else is consistent at all though (most are consistently bad).

I agree with some of the fans here, that the Nets don’t need any part of that record. These days that stuff takes on a life of it’s own and nothing good comes from it. It begets more negativity. The Nets have had enough crap during their history (unless you joined this bandwagon with Kidd).

The Nets have secured their 25% chance at the top pick since they certainly will be in the bottom 4. The more than can gut out some wins the better for the psyche of these punks. At least 4-19 the rest of the way please. This woud actually be a major improvement moving forward.

I just realized that I was very mistaken thinking that the Nets would have the same chance at #1 as the other 3 worst teams – so scratch that. Please forgive me.

But 10 wins still keeps them at the top spot and avoids the record – so full steam ahead with the 4 and 19!

It’s not true that nothing which increases current obligations can be done. We brought in Del Harris, which we thought would cost over $100,000 and made the trade for Humphries, who will be here a year more than Najera, who he was traded for.

my apologies. I was incorrect on that last part.

Actually Paul, Del Harris was supposed to cost $200,000, but he left about 1/2 way through his term (started after 18 games), so there is your $100,000 to get a D-Leager!!

Am I the first to figure out those savings?
Keep posting Barry, cause we found $100,000.

(Also getting S.Williams and then buying him out, must have put Ratner at least $1 million deeper in the red for this year. Ratner knows more than ever that Proky will bail him out, so I don’t think Thorn’s hands are tied.)