For Mitchell, Krystkowiak (and Frank) An Assistant Gig Is Half-Way Back

by Net Income on Aug 24, 2010 12:59 PM EDT

Avery Johnson is proud to have two former NBA head coaches as his assistants. Sam Mitchell, like Johnson a Coach of the Year, and Larry Krystkowiak, worked the sidelines for the Raptors and Bucks. And if you count Tom Barrise's 0-2 gig with the Nets last season (he'd probably like it if you forgot), the number rises to three.

What would get them (and Lawrence Frank, now of the Celtics staff) to move down the bench after coaching the likes of Jason Kidd, Chris Bosh, Michael Redd, etc. in the big chair? Steve Aschburner of NBA.com writes it's pretty simple: "[It's] a way to stay ready and visible and polished for the next top job that opens up ... well, there are only so many TV gigs to go around."

Former head men slide down bench to be ready for next gig - Steve Aschburner - NBA.com

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I'm actually really excited about Popeye.

He can turn Brook and Derrick into high level rebounders. Rebounding is a major factor in winning ball games. I’m very excited about this whole coaching staff.

Consequences will never be the same.

by NetsMets4Life on Aug 24, 2010 1:06 PM EDT reply actions

Frank is NOT an NBA head coach!

The man is an excellent asst coach as an X’s & o’s guy & that’s it! The guy is not a motivator! He’s good to have on your staff, but he simply isn’t a head coach in the NBA. He has never won a thing & only did worse with the same team B. Scott had.

by eopanther8 on Aug 24, 2010 2:32 PM EDT reply actions

he will be again

and he will be successful again.

he worked under an owner who SUCKED.

by Net Income on Aug 24, 2010 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Did you say successful AGAIN?

AGAIN? So he was successful in NJ? Seriously, I would love for an explanation of how. I’ll even accept you saying he wasn’t allowed to be successful because of ownership. Just don’t tell me he was successful.

Avery will be looking for a job in no time if he has as much “success” as Frank had in NJ!

by eopanther8 on Aug 24, 2010 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm not a big fan of Frank...

….but he did coach us to some decent records, although the records got worse and worse as the years went by

I do give him credit though for 2004-2005. He got the best out of one of the worst rosters I’ve ever seen, including last year’s.

"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 24, 2010 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions

He may get an opportunity in a few years...

But he never ever had any control of his star players. And between his small line-ups and cheerleading on the sidelines…I could not stand looking at him after a while.

by rundmc00 on Aug 24, 2010 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions

I couldn't agree more

This is a guy that will never command full respect from his players. Over the last couple years, I was pretty close to using the “hate” word when it came to Frank. I’m lying, I definitely used the word a few times. What sent me over the edge was after the 2008 season when Thorn said Frank had done a good job. I just felt he was getting a pass that he didn’t deserve & really, really disliked him for it.

Now I wish him the best. He’s not a bad guy, I just don’t want him coaching the team I love.

by eopanther8 on Aug 24, 2010 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Here here

Watching him scream and yell all game long, it must’ve been incredibly tiresome for the players. He was embarrassing at times, I was very happy when he left.

I would draw an analogy to a player that puts up good stats, but in the end just doesn’t make the team better. That was Frank… he would get the X’s and O’s but he didn’t have the ability to lead a team of grown men into battle.

Glad he’s gone, but wish him the best.

by eLonepb on Aug 24, 2010 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions

that is...

…why Kidd wanted him as the head coach. It’s become obvious to me that Kidd does not like anyone to tell him what to do, hence he got two coaches fired that will get in your face(Scott and Johnson) while playing under Frank, who would not get in his face.

Kidd got his preferred coach, and when things got rough, he quit on him. I love Kidd as a basketball player and for turning the Nets around when he came here, but as a person he leaves a lot to be desired.

"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 24, 2010 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Bingo

IF Frank ever gets control of his star players, he would be one of the best. The motion zone he played, was the best thing i ever seen.

by Zartan on Aug 24, 2010 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed...

But don’t forget his need to cut out the small lineup.

by rundmc00 on Aug 24, 2010 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions

How strange

that other than RJ, no one who played for Frank ever said a bad word about him.

He coached an unbalanced team that, in case you don’t remember, didn’t have much of a front line the last two, three or four years he coached…your choice. When you are faced with a choice between Josh Boone and Sean Williams on one hand and Malik Allen and Jason Collins on the other, you really have no choice at all. Not his fault.

Mikki Moore always came over to Frank after he left the Nets, knowing that he was able to devise schemes that permitted him to reach his potential. Stevie Jackson, who Frank recommended the Nets bring in back in 2000, always did the same.

I have several barometers I use to determine how knowledgeable fans are. One is whether they thought Frank was a good coach. Another is whether they thought CDR was good for the team.

by Net Income on Aug 24, 2010 5:58 PM EDT reply actions

HAHA

let me try and get a grade from net income .

CDR is easy i never saw the fascination with him he was real skinny and would have trouble guarding shooting guards forget about small forwards. didn’t have any 3pt shot or deep range on his shot. had some nice moves 15 feet from the basket. but was a back up player all the way in this league.

Frank i actually liked he always had his team well prepared he did stick with the vets to a fault even though he should of played some rookies to see what they had. he always try to protect the basket on defense. but good teams would kill us on the outside and the rotations on defense where bad because he’d pack it in on defense. and he’d love the small ball with simmons or hassell or hayes playin power forward. yuck.

in boston with thibodeaux gone and him as the x and o’s guys it’s going to be interesting how he sets up that defense with all those horses he has in the paint.

by Hollywoodnet on Aug 24, 2010 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow, and what does your barometer say about Nets fans who trash your boy Yi

NI, you were the biggest Yi cheerleader in the face of overwhelming criticism from 90% of us here.

by 3ptChucker on Aug 24, 2010 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

It's simple

Others have done more with less. Frank was not a good leader. He was a great play designer and strategist. That’s it.

by eLonepb on Aug 24, 2010 7:36 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

this is funny, because they guy you’re defending LOVES CDR. Dave D said Frank still LOVES the kid and said it’s a safe bet Skiles was sold on the kid after talking to L-Frank.

by Andres B on Aug 25, 2010 5:25 AM EDT up reply actions