Billy King Emerges As Likely Choice ...With Avery Johnson's Backing
by Net Income on Jul 14, 2010 10:11 AM EDT
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PrintBilly King, who ran the 76ers for a decade before being fired three years ago, has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Rod Thorn, both Adrian Wojnarowski and Chris Mannix report. Moreover, it's becoming increasingly evident that Avery Johnson, who has endorsed King, is becoming the front office power broker.
Woj writes that King's chief competition, Danny Ferry, returned home Tuesday without an offer, feeling uncomfortable competing with King, his former college teammate at Duke. Ferry is a likely candidate for the Portland GM job. Mannix writes, the job is King's "if he wants it."
Johnson, meanwhile, is emerging as the key man in the Nets front office, having ingratiated himself with the Nets' Russian ownership. He is likely to have a key role in player personnel matters along with King and Bobby Marks, who will more than likely become the team's general manager
Rod Thorn's last day is Friday. It's uncertain when Mikhail Prokhorov will make his decision. The team is not expected to make any last minute moves before Thorn departs, but wait til the new president and GM are in place. ESPN did report the Nets had interest in Al Harrington before he signed with the Nuggets Tuesday night.
- King emerging as Nets' frontrunner - Adrian Wojnarowski - Yahoo! Sports
- Billy King emerges as top candidate for Nets' president job - Chris Mannix - Sports Illustrated
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Net Income - What are your thoughts on the potential hiring of Billy King?
Would you love, hate, like, or dislike it? And, why?
Popeye Jones - scaring the children of New Jersey since 2010.
'The Crossover' - a Nets and Knicks podcast. http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=268817312
Guy was GM for 10 years
So with a record that long, he is going to have a mixed record…but they did go to the NBA Finals in his fourth year.
His draft picks were better over his last four or five years were than the Nets. Louis Williams, Thaddeus Young, Kyle Korver, Andre Igoudala, John Salmons…and before that, Dalembert, Speedy Claxton, Willie Green, Todd MacColluch. Pretty good value in those picks…half of those guys were second rounders. He also found two decent players among the undrafted: Raja Bell and Louis Amundson. Nets have never found anyone of either player’s caliber among the undrafted.
He made a couple of bone headed trades…Chris Webber, in particular…and stuck with Iverson too long, although that may have been ownership’s problem. He also switches head coaches too often.
By the way, he is close to Doug Overton, so if he’s chosen, expect Overton back.
Also read online that in 2007 he was a candidate for the Knicks and Bucks jobs
That does who that he has a bit of cache, even after his time in Philadelphia.
But wasn’t hired, for some reason.
"Beat the Heat!"
by faNETicS on Jul 14, 2010 8:00 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Trouble is
Despite striking out this offseason and one or two missteps. I’ m starting to like some of the moves we made and more than that I have to much respect for Rod Thorn that I’m not going to be happy without a sexy name signing. Billy King may even be above average but he can’t hold a candle to Thorn in my book. I’d feel more comfortable by far with Thorn or tbh even somone who might have been mentored by Thorn (Bobby Marks) at the helm.
PATHETIC!!!!!
It just gets worse and worse for this team. The downward spiral continues.
How can it get worse...
…when we hit rock bottom 3 months ago? You need help.
not "that" Jersey Shore...Point Pleasant, 10 refreshing miles north of Seaside.
by John at the Jersey Shore on Jul 14, 2010 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Billy King
is a proven franchise killer. I go to school in Philadelphia, and if you ask anyone about him, they will tell you straight up that he is incompetent and hasn’t got a clue. Seriously, if this goes through, I’m considering not being a Nets fan anymore
Do it!
We need the space.
not "that" Jersey Shore...Point Pleasant, 10 refreshing miles north of Seaside.
by John at the Jersey Shore on Jul 14, 2010 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Trading Places
I just hope everyone’s job descriptions are well-defined, otherwise it’s going to be chaotic at the front office. Enough about power trippings.
"Beat the Heat!"
by faNETicS on Jul 14, 2010 6:36 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Proky will put everyone in their place
With all of his business ventures, I am sure he is used to dealing with larger than life egos and power mongers.
There goes his original plan ...
Of putting the best people in, and letting them to their jobs.
He’ll be more involve then.
"Beat the Heat!"
by faNETicS on Jul 14, 2010 7:01 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
no, thats the problem
Russian hierarchies are notoriously vague…lots of dotted lines, advisors, consultants, etc.
It’s already been an issue.
sounds like the mets
I want Jerry Manuel fired now, not three years from now. That is my stance.- John Peterson
He has already forced Thorn out
and now we are likely stuck with a guy not even close to being in his league – you can ask anyone around the NBA and they will tell you that.
You know people around the NBA?
not "that" Jersey Shore...Point Pleasant, 10 refreshing miles north of Seaside.
by John at the Jersey Shore on Jul 14, 2010 9:13 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Your were bashing Thorn a few months ago
Lets be honest here your oging to jump on any theory that portrays Proky in a bad light. Despite what you used to say about Thorn when he was part of moving the team to Brooklyn.
at Shea
I have had my issues wit some of Thorn’s moves like anyone else but I did not “bash” him nor did I ever advocate he be fired. He made this franchise into what it was before Ratner arrived, stayed through all the bs during his tenure and as a reward gets ousted by someone with no clue about the NBA? It is ridiculous regardless of how I feel about the potential move.
Billy King
is not someone without a clue about the NBA
Stop being so dramatic
-Say man when I was growing up we wanted a Jacuzzi, we had to fart in the tub.
Avery is the one that is the problem
Is anyone else getting the impression that Proky is not the reason that Thorn is bailing out? It seems to me that Avery is the one that Thorn does not want to work with.
by The Whopper on Jul 14, 2010 7:15 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I won't prematurely say he's the "problem"
Maybe the “reason”.
"Beat the Heat!"
by faNETicS on Jul 14, 2010 7:18 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
There is no problem
until there is a failure. If things don’t work out between now and next April, then you can say someone or something is a problem.
Until they play some games, there is no problem.
It's just interesting to note that Avery sat on ALL the meetings/interviews for the GM/Pres
"Beat the Heat!"
by faNETicS on Jul 14, 2010 7:43 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
He is the only person in the organization
who will be left.
Not a problem...
… Not surprising either. The rumors were out there since before we hired AJ that he was looking for more GM-type power. It all about building a winner.
not "that" Jersey Shore...Point Pleasant, 10 refreshing miles north of Seaside.
by John at the Jersey Shore on Jul 14, 2010 8:06 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
There is a problem
This team still sucks!!!! Mark it down – they will not win 30 games this year. I don’t need to see one practice to know that Income. This roster is dreadful outside of Brook and possibly Favors down the line. There are a few decent role players and T-Will has potential but that isn’t going to win too many games when almost every team around us has made major upgrades.
25 is a BIG improvement from 12
-Say man when I was growing up we wanted a Jacuzzi, we had to fart in the tub.
Agreed as it's more than double the win total...
But unfortunately we need to be aiming for 32-36 wins. If this 12 win season was such an aberration as everyone seems to agree with on the site, then we have to put together at least a 32-50 season, otherwise you will all make Isaac look like a genius. If the Nets really were better than their record indicated last year – they should have been a 25-57 team to begin with. Remember, teams worse on paper… Wash won 26 games, Philly 27, semi-Grangerless Indiana 32. With the addition of Favors and the plethora of sixthman quality FA’s and a wholly improved coaching staff, in my opinion anything less than 34-48 season is a giant failure.
by BrooklynBridge on Jul 14, 2010 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Ok enough
stop bashing our team. Our team is twice as good as it was last year. Our bench is much better and our coach……well we have a coach and he is a winner. Also our players are a year older.
If you are no longer a Nets fan then go away. If you are then stay and be realistic about our team. We will be ok. Billy King isn’t the end of the world.
Calm down
Quotes like this…
they will not win 30 games this year. I don’t need to see one practice to know that
…make you sound irrational.
Anyone who wants to make a reasonable evaluation actually does need to see some games first.
But I would rather have Avery running things than Thorn, anyway.
If Thorn had his wish JVG would be coach and that would have been a disaster.
Maybe Rod steered clear of Avery as long as possible, knowing he would be a strong figure.
And Sam Mitchell and Avery like each other. That is evident.
AJ is all about winning.
…Pay Riley wanted and got GM power as a coach and it worked out OK, didn’t it?
not "that" Jersey Shore...Point Pleasant, 10 refreshing miles north of Seaside.
by John at the Jersey Shore on Jul 14, 2010 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions
Pat
(Freudian slip?)
not "that" Jersey Shore...Point Pleasant, 10 refreshing miles north of Seaside.
by John at the Jersey Shore on Jul 14, 2010 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions
There's our new President and GM…
BILLY KING! He’s not that bad. Proky want someone with experience as a President and a GM so he is the obvious choice :) Now go ahead and see if we could get a PF that can start now until FAVORS is ready.
by jasperjarrod on Jul 14, 2010 7:24 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
The Untouchables on our team are:
by jasperjarrod on Jul 14, 2010 7:27 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Lopez
DFavors
DHarris(Maybe)
TWill (Maybe)
by jasperjarrod on Jul 14, 2010 7:48 AM EDT up reply actions
You are right and that's why
I put maybe next to it :)
by jasperjarrod on Jul 14, 2010 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions
This This This This This This This This This
TWill is great trade bait.
Nets = Global
Knicks = Local
I rather have Ferry
To me King would have more than likely give in to Avery’s demand to overpay Tyrus Thomas as has been reported Ferry has a track record for at least being some stubborn in his decision-making.
Working well with Avery isn’t
by imdkidd on Jul 14, 2010 7:27 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
this
I don’t see how King is a guy you put in charge of your entire operation, by most accounts he’s a great scout but poor at everything else, specifically putting a dollar amount to the value of talent, that’s the kind of guy you hire as a top scout or maybe gm if you have a really smart guy who can prevent his stupid as president.
I want Jerry Manuel fired now, not three years from now. That is my stance.- John Peterson
Fat fingered that last post
Not easy typing on a mobile.
Anyway, what I meant to say is that working well with Avery should not be the only prerequisite. You still need a President that can stand his ground and make up his own mind. I feel Ferry is more qualified in that regard.
by imdkidd on Jul 14, 2010 8:24 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Tyrus Thomas is already off the market.
by diehardNFFLbarnone on Jul 14, 2010 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Plenty more mistakes out there, just waiting to be made, though.
by calling all toasters on Jul 14, 2010 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Let’s see, went to the finals early in his tenure, his team led by a fan favorite point guard. Team declined and he tried and failed to plug a gap at power forward. Eventually, the team fell out of the playoffs for several years in a row and the fan favorite pg was traded without another playoff run. Sound familiar?
by ispartan on Jul 14, 2010 7:38 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
That's what happens when you play along the turnpike corridor
But that’s from the last decade.
We’re all NEW now.
"Beat the Heat!"
by faNETicS on Jul 14, 2010 7:48 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
damn
We lost out on jefferson and harrington. This blows
And why does everyone want to trade harris, he’s an all star pg, he can
Get to the rim, draw fouls and if he has an all star player
Around him he’s even better.
by Mike28Live on Jul 14, 2010 7:51 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
It's interesting...
Proky keeps talking about cap discipline and our likely hire gave out several of the worst contracts in the NBA. Mutumbo, Thomas, Dalembert, Green, etc.
Why would he or we believe that King has suddenly become smarter?
by rundmc00 on Jul 14, 2010 7:53 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
I don't think he gave Dalembert contract
I also think he may have learned his lesson. I have come to the conclusion to trust our owner and coach when it comes to hiring people because we have no idea what is going on.
But we can make judgements on the past and players because we see them a lot too.
Trust our coach?
Not on acquisitions. He’s already showing terrible judgement but demanding Tyrus Thomas as earlier reported. Supposedly, Thorn decided Thomas wasn’t worth the money. The indecision to move fast on Thomas was due to Thorn trying to convince Avery he wasn’t worth it. I believe Dave D reported this.
Now, could you imagine what happens if Avery was talking to Billy King. Want to go through what the Knicks experienced with Scott Layden and Isiah Thomas?
by imdkidd on Jul 14, 2010 8:31 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Twill an untoucable? I’d trade him in a heart beat for a chance at a PF! Lopez is the only untoucable.
Don’t like Avery as a power broker. He should stick to coaching where he will have a big enough challenge. I think Proko is not living up to expectations. Think about it: He wanted a big, big coach. No Phil, No Doc, No JVG, settles for Avery. Wanted number one pick, settles for three. Wanted Lebron, settles for scraps. Wants a big name owner and GM, settles for King and Marks. Recipe for medioctiry or blueprint for mediocrity. But, beware of Avery. I give him a year and a half before he pisses someone off and gets fired.
Sooo our new gm is gonna be the guy
Who gave 300 million combined in contracts to an old dikembe mutombo, eric snow, aaron mckie, kyle korver, sam dalembert, kenny thomas and a few others i might have forgotten?
by muwu on Jul 14, 2010 8:25 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
replacing the guy
who took the Mutombo contract off his hands and then bought him out for a record (still) $30 million buyout.
who sold the rights to Korver’s pick for $140,000.
Mutombo did get them to the 2001 NBA Finals.
TWill and Harris are "Maybe's"
We have a PF but he is still young so him (Favors) and Lopez might be the only two that are “untochables”.
Who do you want as our coach? Phil and Doc stays with their teams and JVG don’t want to coach right now. Why would he want a big owner? How about him as the Big Owner? :)
Its still not clear if Bobby Marks would be GM, in writing?
Billy King seems more like a talker and talent evaluator. He’s been on NBATV a number of times, including during the post draft Combine. Seems OK, as long as he gets along with Avery.
Maybe Avery just made Thorn feel old and reminded himself that its time to retire?
Bobby Marks
Won’t be the GM once we got Rod’s replacement because whoever repalce Thorn he will take GM position also.
by jasperjarrod on Jul 14, 2010 8:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Not according to story. Marks will be promoted to handle day to day GM duties.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Av2yxKKR5Uwa0BrmmFyz6Bq8vLYF?slug=ys-kingnets071310
Maybe Proky will bring in a Russian, to get training as Asst. GM and VP of Basketball Operations.
It says in here. It's NYPOST though :)
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/nets/prokhorov_likes_nets_plan_jr7KIuv5yllK2QigQyDlzO
Prokhorov said he wanted someone with experience and that the position would be a one-person job instead of having separate president and general manager titles.
by jasperjarrod on Jul 14, 2010 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions
This seems like a disaster to me
Billy King has a good eye for talent but some of the contracts he has handed out to middling players are over the top ridiculous. We are going to become closer to the Knicks with a hire like this.
So what does that mean? We are OK hiring a GM that makes bad decisions because we may or may not have an owner that will veto those decisions?
by Chris2 on Jul 14, 2010 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah and their final word is
You handel it, that’s why I pay you.
by msm2 on Jul 14, 2010 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
This is depressing but as Net Income recommended I'll reserve judgment until there's empirical evidence and reason to be down on this move
Having said that, I don’t like King’s track record — it’s wholly unspectacular. I hope Avery knows what he’s doing and that Marks has a lot of authority internally.
Nets = Global
Knicks = Local
Nobody wants to come to a 12-70 team
We added a project and are losing the best president in the league. If Thorn is hired by another team I will be pissed! Imo he doesn’t want to be part of a long term rebuilding team. The stink of Ratner is going to take a while to leave. I saw Swat on the Bucks last night. He still looks lost.
Jerry Colangelo was practically begging for this job. Saying nobody wants to come to a bad team is just untrue. This is a great opportunity to build something from the ground up with a rich owner, lots of young talent, lots of flexibility, in the NYC area. This is a very curious decision if it happens.
I don't think it's a coincidence that nobody is taking Proky's money.
A rich owner is common. Young talent is biased. Flexability is only as good as the person using it and NYC is 2 years away at the least. At this point I am banking on Favors development and it’s questionable.
I don’t think Proky is handing out the money in bundles like we thought. If he were, Thorn would likely still be here. The talk about him blowing people away with huge offers has so far been just talk. He did pay 3 million to get rid of Yi, but at that time it was a calculated risk it could lead to Lebron. I’d be interested to see what this new president gets paid.
I wish Thorn's decision to leave was about money
Then Proky would have some control over it. If Proky isn’t willing to pay Thorn, who is probably the best employee he has, what does that say about our future.
Some people speculated wrong. Some thought he'll spend his billions to buy contracts.
Fortunately, most people here understood early on that he’s going to spend wisely and won’t overpay. Some people just don’t get it, and stuck with their ideas for some agenda.
If he wants to spend, like he did in Europe, he can.
But he can’t in the NBA, because there’s a cap. I think he’s enjoying the challenge of building a franchise with a goal to win the championship.
"Beat the Heat!"
Did he pay to get rid of Yi? He was stuck with the contract either way, no payroll was added. Only Yi’s services were subtracted.
by ispartan on Jul 14, 2010 1:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I think if he paid Thorn half that he would still be here and we could all sleep easier at night about the direction of the team. And I’m surprised he did not at least negotiate a bit with Colangelo. Who’s to say he would not accept significantly less. He is posturing too. If you want to restore credibility to your team, you do not hire Billy King as president. There is a reason King has been out of the league for so long.
They say no trades until King is in place, but if both Avery and Marks like someone and King has no objections in private, then why not.
Someone will beat Nets to an offer sheet for Scola, if Nets don’t act soon.
I’m sure there are mixed feelings about going after Scola, being age 30, but he is best hope on open market to make playoffs and not commit past 3 years.
Nets have plenty of assets to satisfy Houston in an eventual S&T because Houston is likely bluffing.
Houston now has Patterson and are considering Brad Miller.
You say reasonable offer. How about 13+12+11 = 36 million? Can Nets structure a decreasing salary structure?
Nets have 14.9 million in cap space for this year. Not many teams can do that.
If you consider what Nets could offer in a S&T with draft picks, Houston would have to listen.
Not one thing has gone right under Prokhorov - NOT ONE
lost out on top 2 lottery picks after a 12-70 season – not his fault but a sign of things to come such as… hiring a coach that has been on the market for two years now that nobody seemed too interested in after targetting the likes of Coach K and others of that ilk, low-balling Thorn, one of the most respected men in the business when it seemed to be a foregone conclusion he would return leading to front office disarray at the worst possible time, putting up that ridiculous billboard in NYC a week before the free agency period that proved to be an utter disaster for us while the Knicks made clear strides to become a playoff team next year and possibly a contender in the next 2-3 after more moves and now we get a mediocre (and that’s being generous) GM to replace a legend like Thorn.
Let the good times roll!!!! Way to go Proky!!!!
Favors and James seem good
The coach has the best winning % of active coaches. Low-balling Thorn is just your guess. The billboard I agree with you on. The Knicks still suck and imo will not make the playoffs this year and nobody will compare to Thorn especially the GMs that are available. Thats a no win situation. Bottom line is if Favors pans out all these move will look great.
The only thing logical you said there was
not his fault
After that it’s just yawn because I think you have that whole rant saved somewhere so you can just copy + paste it all over the place.
by eLonepb on Jul 14, 2010 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Now you think he is a legend.
hmmmmmmmmmmm
CP3 reportedly back on the trade market
The team has begun a search for a new General Manager there was a strong sentiment in Las Vegas yesterday that Chris Paul is now clearly on the trading block with some executives saying they expected him to be traded in the coming weeks.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=16808
"Don’t forget, we’re not building a top five team, we’re building a championship team" - Mikhail Prokhorov
Nah NO has collison, no need for Devin.
Favors+2 picks.
"Don’t forget, we’re not building a top five team, we’re building a championship team" - Mikhail Prokhorov
We don't have a starting PF
and you want to trade Favors? Whou would start at the 4 spot? CP3? :)
by jasperjarrod on Jul 14, 2010 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions
okafor/west will be coming back with cp3
"Don’t forget, we’re not building a top five team, we’re building a championship team" - Mikhail Prokhorov
I don't know.
I’d rather keep Favors as I believe he could be better than both of them.
That's for sure.
We should not be giving up on Favors at least not yet until we see what h’s going to be like.
by jasperjarrod on Jul 14, 2010 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions
I know. Favors is probably gonna be better than Paul.
What are these guys talking about?
"...where they don't play with a shot clock." - C. Sager
Is it possible that we could get all 3?
Is that even possible?
by jasperjarrod on Jul 14, 2010 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions
If we are still $30M under the cap.
I would think that it is possible but then maybe not….
by jasperjarrod on Jul 14, 2010 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Avery wouldn't have it
He wants a marshmallow like King up there, giving him whatever he wants.
by calling all toasters on Jul 14, 2010 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions
It makes good sense
to have the GM working closely with Avery… Avery sees up close what pieces we have and how they fit into his system and is in good position to assess our needs and make sure we’re not pursuing the wrong people.
I say keep Favors. Maybe we can offer just Devin and a lottery protected pick and keep Courtney. I really don’t want Okafor.
LETS GO NETS!
In Rod we Trust(ed)
but we won’t trust King. We already think he’s a retread so unless it’s on obvious win for us, we’re going to second, third and fourth guess everything he does. Every contract offered will be too high, every trade will be a disaster (particularly if he’s a beloved player). I think we’re all afraid that he’s going to squander the resources so painfully built up (cap space, draft picks, young pieces traded for over-the-hill Webbers, etc.). We would have trusted Buford, Presti, Pritchard, even Coangelo.
Seems to me that the best move
is for Proky to offer Thorn more money to stay, rather than take on mediocre leadership talent at the top of the organization. Thorn might be alluding to that possibility, as he has said that unless something big is happening, his last day is Friday. Giving him a larger contract for 2 years is “something big”. Let’s go Proky, make it happen!!
by Mookie Blaylock on Jul 14, 2010 10:49 AM EDT reply actions
It's done, it's King
daldridgetnt: Breaking: Billy King accepts Nets executive position, will be named at Thursday press conference. Story up soon on NBA.com
FIRE BILLY!!!
The Bandwagon starts now!!!
HOLLAH!!!
by ShawnCarter on Jul 14, 2010 11:16 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
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