Thorn: "I Was Never Retired. I Retired From the Nets."
by Net Income on Aug 12, 2010 12:12 PM EDT
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PrintThe case of Rod Thorn grows curiouser and curiouser.
As reports of Thorn's imminent departure began to circulate, the initial impression was that he was tired; he wanted to spend time with his family who wanted to see more of him; that "it was time", etc., etc.
Then, it became something even more amorphous--it was "complex", and reports suggested he might take a job, in broadcasting, in the commissioners office. There were rumors, denied by him and Mikhail Prokhorov, that all was not well between the two. Nets officials say he was given every opportunity to stay or to consult. He declined.
Now, he has joined division rival 76ers and says quite bluntly, "There's been a lot of speculation that I was retired. I was never retired. I retired from the Nets." Thorn received a three year deal with the Sixers, with the promise of consultancy after the contract ends. Prokhorov reportedly offered the 69-year-old Thorn a two-year deal.
Late Thursday, Prokhorov issued a statement: "We congratulate Rod Thorn and the 76ers and wish them the best of luck." While Thorn continued to have nice things to say about Prokhorov, he took a slap at the team's previous ownership under Bruce Ratner. "The last couple of years we dismantled the team on purpose, because of corporate decisions, so that wasn’t much fun.”
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in the Prokhy interview, he had said that Rod said something about just needing a change…
But with a new owner, new source of funds, new attitude, & new arena, he already had a change. Either Stefanski has naked pictures of Rod or 76ers are just paying a lot & this was in the works behind the scene for a while. It’s just too soon, and too close to home.
Either way, i believe that Rod was fair to the Nets organization (as far as the player transactions he made) until his final moment.
But all speculation.
Yeah but its still the Nets
Think he saw Jay-Z Proky all these new guys felt like, it would be best for everyone that he leave, he’s been with this team for a while.
Erase to Replace
I think Proky just wanted to clean the house and get rid of everyone from last season and put new faces
We only got 4 guys from last season and 3 of them are the faces of the program
We got new Coaches and Front Office
i just think proky never wanted Thorn back he wanted new blood in the building
I believe they do like each other i just dont think proky wanted him there he wanted his guys
"Avery Johnson: Erase to Replace"
Wall2KingJames to JamesSucks
by Wall2KingJames on Aug 12, 2010 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions
It was too bad he was given a choice
He should have been fired, but watching him screw up the Sixers will be somewhat satisfying.
Please Prokhorov never again listen to the fools that told you it was a good idea to retain Rod Thorn
I don't like it either
I wanted to see him fired on a 1 hour ESPN special
Please Prokhorov never again listen to the fools that told you it was a good idea to retain Rod Thorn
He spent years screwing up my favorite NBA team
You don’t screw with a man’s sports teams
Please Prokhorov never again listen to the fools that told you it was a good idea to retain Rod Thorn
He is also gave you Jason Kidd...
the greatest Net of all time. That doesn’t count for something?
And wasted multiple years of Kidd's career
The Nets had Kidd when he was an elite player and squander part of his career with a doomed to fail before it began “Big 3” and a bench that could never beat a D-League All Star team.
Please Prokhorov never again listen to the fools that told you it was a good idea to retain Rod Thorn
Really?
Two straight finals appearances and multiple trips to the postseason. Not to mention a consistently exciting and winning team to watch? The Nets ran into twin buzzsaws into the Lakers and Spurs dynasties. People may poke fun at the Nets for their overall record of futility, but it wasnt all too long ago that they were a top team.
Thank you for pointing out 2 of the 3 seasons that weren't wasted
Every season Vince was here, Thorn did a pathetically abysmal job of constructing a team. Each of those seasons were a waste of Kidd’s career. Absolutely nothing on those rosters was designed to take advantage of Kidd’s unique skills
Please Prokhorov never again listen to the fools that told you it was a good idea to retain Rod Thorn
Whoa.
Saying Kidd was the greatest Net of all time is going out on a limb.
I agree with you 100%
In this case Thorn is just screwing with us the FANS. WE WANT AN EXPLANATION.
by kiddnets2004 on Aug 12, 2010 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Does anyone think Thorn signed Outlaw to that deal beacuse he wanted to screw us before leaving or it was just a avery johnson move who he wanted on his team?
"Avery Johnson: Erase to Replace"
Wall2KingJames to JamesSucks
by Wall2KingJames on Aug 12, 2010 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Not a Thorn move
The types of players acquired this summer are not the types of players Thorn likes to acquire. That was Avery and Marks doing their thing
Please Prokhorov never again listen to the fools that told you it was a good idea to retain Rod Thorn
actually...
Thorn had been trying to get Outlaw for years.
by thepapers on Aug 12, 2010 5:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Trading for a cheap Outlaw
Is quite different from making him the first FA the team signs and giving him an above max MLE deal.
Thorn liked to spend the MLE on older vets, not players in their early 20’s
Please Prokhorov never again listen to the fools that told you it was a good idea to retain Rod Thorn
If this is true that Prokhy offered 8M over 2 years and Thorn was making 5.5M in his last year
then it’s all clear. Thorn couldn’t handle it. I don’t know if he should have been paid 5.5 or 6 or more, but I think 4M per was not low balling.
Kevin Pritchard was making $800K
when he was fired.
Billy King is making $2 million.
Thorn was making a lot of money and Kiki was making $1.75 million.
Theft is a crime
Please Prokhorov never again listen to the fools that told you it was a good idea to retain Rod Thorn
It is still kind of insulting to ask someone to take a pay cut, especially when the org just came into money.
That’s a sign to get the heck out… BUT, Thorn should have probably stepped aside then. If he knew he was going to the Sixer while signing Morrow and Petro, that is a huge conflict of interest.
when youre 12-70 and nearly 70 years old
and someone offers you $8 million over two years, you JUMP at it.
he could have easily be fired.
so now you are confirming what the contract offer was Income
is that official?
No
He’s just saying that if the offer really was $8 million over 2 years, Thorn probably didn’t leave the Nets due to a contract dispute because that’s a crazy absurd amount of money for a 70 year old GM coming off a season in which he led a 12-70 team.
heard this one before
“But I want to say one thing to the American people. I want you to listen to me. I’m going to say this again: I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky.”
It's only a matter of time
before Thorn guts the 76ers. Good riddance. His best days are behind him.
Screw Him
You are either with us or against us and he has spoken.
Actually, I'm down with this
He is a member of the opposition now. He should be treated as such.
I’m waiting on D’Alessandro’s write-up. If Thorn left because of money, I agree it doesn’t make him look good, especially considering the constant equivocations leading up to this point. I have respect for a man when he tells the truth — just chalk it up to “contractual disagreements” and move on, Rod. You didn’t have to lie.
Nets = Global
Knicks = Local
rod lies all the time
it used to make me furious when he come out and defend the ratner cheapskate moves as “basketball” moves. just look at his horrible toupee’! the thing i don’t like about proky is – why in the world would you let a lame duck pick players for your team this past off-season? this nets team has been put together by our rival – that’s not good
I don't even care
We’re on to a new path now, and I have optimism it will work out well for us.
I really hope this doesn’t become some overdramatic situation. He’s not a member of the Nets anymore, so I don’t care.
But I wish him well in the future, and hope we smack up Philly when we see them.
Thorn has chosen to be on
“Team Edward” (Stefanski). And then gives us a backhand slap. Well I have news for Thorn. I was not a fan of yours. I am a fan of the Nets. Later Uncle Festor.
I don't have aproblem that he left
but I have a problem with how he left and when he left. I never bought that spending time with the family BS because it all happened so sudden. It had something to do with Proky. but it really doesn’t matter because I wanted to get rid of almost everybody associated with 12-70, and we did.
Remember, he said he'd stay with us had we gotten LeBron
So I guess money didn’t matter to him if we’d gotten LeBron and been a championship contender. Otherwise, it did matter to him. What is this, some kind of a joke? The owner has to pay more for your services, Rod, if he doesn’t get the right free agents? Sick.
Nets = Global
Knicks = Local
But in order for us to get LeBron, we would have had to hire Phil Jackson or John Calipari, who probably would have forced Thorn out anyway.
by diehardNFFLbarnone on Aug 12, 2010 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions
I am a big Fan of Thorn,
but this makes NO sense.
Atleast when you look at the roster. I would say 50% or more of that roster are players Thorn has wanted over the last 10 years.
Hopefully the rod thorn curse doesn’t apply here.
"I want to win, I want the team to win and I'm in complete control."
-Coach Avery Johnson.
by Andy. on Aug 12, 2010 1:02 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
The Curse of Thorn should afflict Rod Thorn
He is the one who got traded away from the Nets.
Nets = Global
Knicks = Local
This just in. Ratner will be buying the 76ers and building a brand new arena in Camden, NJ, part of a $20B urban redevelopment project he has promised Camden City officials. Says Ratner, I think we figured out this eminent domain thing and we can get this arena built in 2-3 years. I just want to make things right by the people of NJ. :)
by ispartan on Aug 12, 2010 1:05 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
Thorn screwed us.
His bad timing caused us to miss out on ALL the best free agents. Couldn’t he have kept his mouth shut and left AFTER the major free agency period?
If Rod executed his duties
With full care and concern for the Nets, in good faith(which I imagine he did), then I’m still and always will be cool with Rod
Only now, I believe the phrase should be:
“in Rod we dust!”
by Jron on Aug 12, 2010 1:41 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Not Sure Why Thorn Needs to Bring This Up....
Everyone loved him while he was here, but he had a decade to a win a championship and it’s becoming more clear now that Proky simply wanted new blood in the system. I don’t blame him. Thorn should just be content with his move and keep his mouth quiet…
"We aim above the mark to hit the mark." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson
"We're looking at hiring the Red Army choir to perform at half-time along with Russia's top dancing bear collective." -Mikhail Prokhorov
"Don't worry about my cap" - Lou Lamoriello
Not everyone love Thorn
There is a large contingent of fans that has loathed Thorn for years.
Please Prokhorov never again listen to the fools that told you it was a good idea to retain Rod Thorn
Guess he really wanted Evan Turner
now he got him
But the Big question is whether Thorn knew ha was likely going to Phila. at the time of the draft?
That would have been a conflict of interests as maybe Thorn would have tried to work a trade for the right to pick Turner.
As it turns out, Phila. might have been better off picking Cousins, since their fans want to win immediately.
Rod and Ed think alike
They’re accumulating talents … I mean, assets.
They’ll probably scheme a trade through the deadline to pick up what they need in the 4/5 position.
Sounds familiar?
"It's time", "I'll take my talent to ..." "Beat the Heat!"
This makes no sense.
Sorry I am utterly confused and as a Nets fan for almost 3 decades. This is one of the most confusing moves I have seen. Something must have happened with Proky, Low balled him? I don’t know.
I will say this. Thorn was good for us, but we don’t know the inner part of what really went down the last 4 or 5 years. Was Ratner really holding Thorn back? IS Thorn no longer on top of it? Some really questionable moves over the past 5 years (Not counting the Ratner factor if there was one).
Having said that, Why did he choose King? Why did he choose the Sixers? OF all teams he had to go there? To complicate things for us Fans. As if we haven’t been through enough in the last 2 years! THIS IS UNFAIR TOO US the FANS. I think we are owed an explanation and I think we should use Netsdaily to demand an explanation. We can tweet it till we are heard. We can send Peanuts like the fans of Jericho, or we can send Basketballs like the fans of One Tree Hill. But WE NEED an EXPLANATION. Don’t we?
Indeed a mystery.
In fairness to Rod, I would say Ratner can be blamed for most major missteps. Rod’s hand were tied. He can only do as much what he was allowed to.
He chose King, because he knows he’s a match for Avery. If that’s what the organization (read: Proky) wants, then Rod delivered. Proky is allowing Avery to have a say on personnel decisions, King is a fit.
Why the Sixer’s? He probably was recruited by Ed. They work together nicely, they complement. We can only speculate.
"It's time", "I'll take my talent to ..." "Beat the Heat!"
I'm happy for Rod and Ed
They can resume what they’ve used to do together … in the middle of the night.
Joking aside, he chose to be an enemy, thus he will be treated as such.
Respect is due, when he was here.
When the first leak came out that he’s retiring due to personal reasons, it seems believable. But when he changed his tone and not confirming anything about the alleged reasons, I knew something’s up.
I commend him for helping the Nets through the transitions, but the first order should have been hiring his replacement. But it seems he opened his option to see how the free agency will play out.
It would be interesting to know what he’s making in Philly. That’ll answer some questions.
Also, he probably is not on board on some of Proky’s principles in running the organization. One thing that comes in mind is Proky’s trust in Avery’s part in personnel decisions. He probably wants to have total control, which Proky won’t give him.
So if he think he can’t function the way he wants to … it’s really the time to go.
But the timing really sucks.
"It's time", "I'll take my talent to ..." "Beat the Heat!"
Please fill in the blank Rod...
I was not retired… I was FIRED. That much is so obvious yet still not acknowledged on this site.
Whether or not Thorn’s tenure ehre was perfect, he undoubtedly did more for this team than ANY other executive came close to doing in the NBA history of this team. He deserved better and is clearly too classy to call Prokhorov out for what he really is.
You may be right? But why? That’s the real question, are the Russians going to take over? Or does Proky thing Avery can run the show?
by kiddnets2004 on Aug 12, 2010 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
why 2004 in your name KiddNets?
that’s when the glory period of the Kidd era effectively ended as Ratner bought the team and we began our downward spiral to where we are now.
Haha
Great observation, that’s just when I started using a username to post on boards
by kiddnets2004 on Aug 12, 2010 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions
How can he be fired if he's not in contract?
OK, he was STILL in contract when he announced he’s leaving … but 2 weeks are really negligible.
"It's time", "I'll take my talent to ..." "Beat the Heat!"
fired not in the literal sense
Prokhorov offered him a garbage deal he knew he would reject just like when the Yankees finally got rid of Torre, they offered him an incentive-laden deal they knew he would not accept. Again, it’s a cowardly way of letting someone go.
he still would have been
the highest paid GM in the league, I believe, at $4 million per.
and coming off a 12-70 season…and four straight seasons where the team didn’t get over .500…he should have expected less. 41, 34, 34 and 12 wins.
Contract negotiations are always based on your immediate prior results
Thorn has not exceeded expectations in his last 4 years, so there is no way he could demand same salary or raise. No way is Phila paying him $4m per year. My guess is $2m/yr is max.
I don’t think Proky forced Thorn out, nor do I think Proky nudged Thorn out.
by 3ptChucker on Aug 12, 2010 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The Nets don’t owe Rod anything anymore.
So Rod is free to talk.
I wan’t to hear from the horse’s mouth that he got fired. Then I’ll believe he got fired.
So far, he’s saying that he retired himself from the Nets. The initiative came from him.
"It's time", "I'll take my talent to ..." "Beat the Heat!"
From Thorn himself:
He insisted the arrival of new owner Mikhail Prokhorov had no affect on his decision to leave. Thorn said he was offered a “very lucrative” deal to stay with the Nets.
There.
"It's time", "I'll take my talent to ..." "Beat the Heat!"
Pro didn't want Thorn, he wants a new fresh hip image
Thorn didn’t want a new owner egar to make noise looking over his sholder. They both wanted something else.
It just makes me nervous when a “lame duck” pres and GM is making draft picks, trades and signings weeks before he leaves.
Not to say he did something to mess us up on purpose, but I would think you wouldn’t analiyze a move as much when you are leaving the week after.
Since the face been revealed the game got real
If the Nets hired Pritchard
noone would care what Thorn does. As it is, King is a big question mark going forward. I do, however, like the Lee-Murphy trade
No one hired Pritchard
I’m not even sure anyone interviewed Pritchard. That should tell you something.
yeah I don't get the Pritchard Hype.
I really don’t understand that. Sure he had a few good drafts. but other than that what did he do?
by kiddnets2004 on Aug 12, 2010 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
It says he is being picky
He is still getting paid for next season
Please Prokhorov never again listen to the fools that told you it was a good idea to retain Rod Thorn
OK take Pritchard out of the equation
If King wasn’t such a questions mark, if we had signed someone like Presti (even though he’s not available) noone would care what Thorn does.
I feel betrayed by Proky
Thorn should have been publicly fired and humiliated
Please Prokhorov never again listen to the fools that told you it was a good idea to retain Rod Thorn
If that is the case?
I honestly think Thorn is the dirt bag here.
by kiddnets2004 on Aug 12, 2010 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions
How many more years
until Rod Thorn stops getting by on his good looks. It’s just not fair.
I think that is the thing
people and the media will look at it that we basically traded Thorn for King.
Which Thorn will always look the better choice.
Though I can’t complain King first move was great and made us a playoff team. King has said that his time off has made him look at a lot of his moves.
We are better than the 76ers right now.
Thorn has his work ahead of him. Brand Iggy and others.
by killa kadafi191 on Aug 12, 2010 2:52 PM EDT reply actions
I thought Rod wanted to be with a winning organization? This is so weird.
Consequences will never be the same.
high comfort level
Stefanski and not that far from his home in Rye, NY. Get a place in Center City and commute on weekends.
Eh.
Whatever floats his boat, I guess.
Consequences will never be the same.
by NetsMets4Life on Aug 12, 2010 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions
The timing of his original announcement
Looking back his decision to announce he was not returning before the free agent signing period looks like a little pay-back for not feeling loved.
Leaves me feeling like the “decision” saga – OK make your choice, but don’t be a jerk about how you do it.
I think it was the hiring of AJ and Rod's reluctance to share power.
I’m OK with that and I think Rod handled it professionally right to the end. No hard feelings. I don’t think he screwed us or that he was screwed. Just a parting of the ways. We’re fine. And he landed in a bed of roses, so there should be no hard feelings.
Now (as always) I wish the Sixers the worst of luck and hope to crush them at every opportunity..
not "that" Jersey Shore...Point Pleasant, 10 refreshing miles north of Seaside.
by John at the Jersey Shore on Aug 12, 2010 4:07 PM EDT reply actions
Phiily vs NJ
Cradle of freedom vs iron curtain
Rod vs Avery and the usurpers
Collins and his stolen gold medal vs Proky and the Russian sports empire
Both chasing the back of the playoff list
Turner vs Favors – who is the stud who is the dud
WHO CARES ABOUT THORN
i assume everyone is happy with the new younger roster – Murphy is the perfect PF to let Lopez have the low block to post up – and he actually gets rebounds! He will be best Net rebounder since…dare i say his name…#55 Jayson Williams(it hurts just to type this)-
King will not be making moves on his own – Marks & Avery making decisions with him-
I predict 30-35 wins this year and just outside of the playoffs – then if we stay mostly together – playoffs in 2012!!
Thorn's entire press conference is available on nba.com via the Sixers site
In watching today’s conference, Thorn and Stefanski constantly harped on how much everybody (including ownership) had winning as their ultimate goal. Stefanski even hammered home the point by conspicuously going off about how, "If you get into sports, ultimately the bottom line is to win. If you get into it for any other reason…(he shakes his head) I can’t imagine…)
IMO, they were sending clear subliminals to the media and fans about Ratner.
Nets = Global
Knicks = Local
Thorn:
“In my last two years with the Nets, we dismantled the team on purpose…It was a corporate decision.”
“I was offered a lucrative contract to stay with the Nets. I resigned, was not forced out.”
Nets = Global
Knicks = Local
I have no problem with this. He told the truth.
"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."
by MrDollarBills on Aug 13, 2010 2:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Thorn also
basically called b.s. on D’Alessandro’s report (perhaps among others, but he distinctly said “one report” but kept it anonymous) that Thorn’s wife urged him to spend more time with her.
Nets = Global
Knicks = Local
that picture of thorn laughing...
it’s taunting me.
Looks like NI owes Isaac an apology
after constantly shooting down the idea that Rod Thorn was not retiring
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