|
|||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||||
 |
Forrester: Frank One of the NBA’s “Most Creative Strategists”November 12, 2009, 7:45 pmLawrence Frank has no wins and no luck, but he has endorsements. Rod Thorn still loves him. Doc Rivers and Eddie Jordan praise him. Now SI’s Paul Forrester has his say: “In talking to scouts, it’s clear Frank is one of the most creative strategists in the game, capable of fitting his schemes to his players’ talents — no small feat. What’s more, his players buy into his schemes and put forth the effort.”  Inside the NBA - 3 Seconds - Paul Forrester - Sports IllustratedPosted in Frank, Lawrence | 117 Comments » |
|
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.  117 Responses to “Forrester: Frank One of the NBA’s “Most Creative Strategists”” | |
November 12th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
um….what?
To Frank’s credit, the Nets defense over the last few games has been superb and his decision to start Josh Boone has a lot to do with that. Lets hope that continues when the rest of the guys return.
November 12th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
I agree this article
Frank is a good coach
I still believe him
Cheers….
November 12th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Still a Frank fan and hoping to see him back in 2010 with the team he deserves to have.
November 12th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
wow i hope we r like 10 n 72 so we can get john wallllll
November 12th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
HIRE BYRON SCOTT!
November 12th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Does this guy Mr. Forrester watch the Nets at all??????????
This is nonsense at its best. His players buy into his schemes? This guy (PREACHES) defense as much as the next guy, but do you see the players putting forth the EFFORT to play Frank’s schemes???? We’ll have 20 loosing seasons , and you blinded people will still have the same excuse for Frank.
And creative stratgey? Does having Alston thrown a pass to the Sixers qualify as a creative stratgey. You’re right; I never seen it! UGLY UGLY EXECUTION, and we call that creative strategy. American journalists certainly have a way with words and twisting reality.
November 12th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
He’s quoting scouts. if the Nets fire Frank, he will have a job much quicker than Scott…like immediately.
You should consider the possibility that you’re wrong.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Frank should seriously be considered for coach of the year just for this team being even remotely competitive lately!
Rafer Alston, Terrence Williams, Trenton Hassell, Josh Boone Brook Lopez, Eduardo Najera, Bobby Simmons… That’s a D league team!
November 12th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Finally, some wise words to silence the frank-o-fires. He is an extremely good coach and I am more impressed with what he is doing this year than any other. Imagine having T-Will as your go to guy! Imagine a crunch time line up of hassel, simmons, alston, T-will and lopez. And imagine that the refs swallow their whistles when Lopez is hit. To say he does not support young players is insane given his game on the line play to T-Will. Yes, his schemes are brilliant. We should have been blown out all these games. Look at the Knicks with a much better roster and losing without a punch.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
I love all the Fire Frank groupies out there. I got so many texts today about hiring Byron Scott to come back and fire Frank.
The guy just has not had that much talent the past few seasons. Face it – its a fact. And the fact that the Nets have hung in every last game for the past week or two – with 8 healthly players (of which only 1 is a sure fire starter at this point; TWill will become one in time) says a lot about his coaching acumen.
I still think that this team is going to continue to improve and will start stringing together victories. That said, I don’t see us making the playoffs – which is fine. I want a good prospect in the draft to add to this young core.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
Oh, trust me, Frank will not get a job other than here.
If he does, that owner will have a lot less patience with a loosing record. You guys can take 20 years of loosing and still consider him a “good coach”. I’ve had friends who’re loyal fans of other NBA teams, and trust me, this kind of tolerance only happens with some of these Nets fans.
You get a job because you make money (or PRODUCE), not because you’re not responsible for loosing money.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
So turnovers are now part of the coaching scheme? Do you realize how stupid that reads?
Gee, should I believe NBA scouts or some dope in the comments section of a message board who thinks a turnover is part of the gameplan?
And if you think the Nets did not play with maximum effort this week you have either not been watching or don’t have a clue what you are looking at.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
biggie,
this losing record is not on the coach. it is on the rebuilding (they knew they were a 25 win team) and then the injuries. How can you compete with 7 players? D’antoni has a lot more talent and has done nothing. He can’t get his players to compete and play with urgency. All I see from Frank’s team is energy and competing despite being under talented.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
@Biggie Skip said the play was originally ran for Trenton, Alston said himself that he should have ran the set that was planned.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
What has Frank done that would make other teams want to hire him?
He has no NBA finals, He has never took a underrated team over the top. He has no resume to back him up before taking the Nets. He has not develop any kind of talent besides Harris but everyone knows what Harris can do. Lopez hasn’t turn anything special.
We didn’t make the playoffs with 2 (20 point) players last year and we are 0-7 yet he is so wanted. I’ll take Scott in a heartbeat. Talk about being a company person.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
It’s not good enough to get close. Good effort, no doubt! Is it on players or the coach? You gotta choose. If you say bad players’ effort has nothing to do with the coach, then you cannot say it’s to the coach credit when players put up good effort. This kind of double-bind reasoning makes you nothing but a fanboy of coach Frank.
IN addition, why don’t you take a look at the Bucks’ roster and tell me why they didn’t get blown out every single game? Come on, it’s the NBA. Some so-called GOOD teams are not always on their top games. Celtics weren’t! DO not make it seem like we battled with the Celtics in their best form. Yes, we’re lacking in talent, but the criticism on Frank has been here forever. It was here during the JKidd era as well. Enough is enough. I don’t see one of you Frank’s fanboy responding to some of the detailed analysis of Frank’s idiotic strategies that some of our posters have laid out before. Instead, you keep throwing this double-bind statments out there.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
@Seeker – Lopez hasn’t turned anything special? Aside from the grammar not making sense that is a ridiculous statement.
The kid is 21 and is already a 20-10 guy. What more do you want from a 2nd year center? He is arguably a top 5 center already. If the draft were done over – he goes no lower than 3. Possibly is the top pick.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
yup, Frank is a great coach and a great strategist. In fact I’m sure that EVERY NBA coach would love to see him hold on to his job with the Nets, so that certainly speaks to his greatness.
Imagine how much WORSE than 0-8 we’d be without OUR GREAT COACH!
November 12th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Comedy Central at it’s Best……
November 12th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Do not take me as a typical Frank’s hater. I am not blaming him for all the losses. I am equally critical of Lee and Harris and Yi, all three starters who pretty much sucked when they were playing healthy for that few games.
There have been observant posters who pointed out over the years (not just this one) how Frank’s in-game decision had cost us many many bad breaks. Things like not being able to secure an (DEFENSive REBOUND) because he chose to play small ball in the most important part of the game. You know, strategy is not just something that works here and there. A good strategic scheme works throughout the game. I would not disagree that some of Frank’s plays were good design, but there were a lot of bad decisions as well.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Someone on here called the Nets an UNDERRATED TEAM!!
When was that??
And, BTW, smirking, flashing rings, standing crossed-armed, playing golf and throwing players under the bus are all traits of a fantastic coach, but I still prefer one that actually works for a living.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Since high blood pressure runs in my family, I decided against reading the SI article because I can’t fathom the idea of Frank being considered a good coach but one question…
Does the article justify the Bermuda Triangle of Productivity that Opie refers to as “small ball” or “frenzy offense”?
November 12th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
The beauty of sports is it’s all out in the open for everyone to see. However, everyone could see the same thing but interpret it differently. Some see Yi with potential, I see a disaster. Some see Harris as a “me first” PG who can’t defend, I see an all-star. The ultimate is Swat who most see as useless and I see as priceless. As far as our coach to really judge him imo you have to know what responsibilities are most important to make him good. To me, recognizing the talent it takes to win and putting players in a position to succeed is what’s most important. While he is a smart guy, a hard worker and a top strategist, it’s not as important as what I mentioned above and he is not good at what’s most important. You could have the best play set up but if you run it with the wrong guy what good is it. His bad style supersedes all of his positives.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
“Most Creative Strategists”?? Sounds like a great asst. coach if ya as me.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
fire frank bring back scott in a heartbeat come on thorn and kiki u need to save ur jobs
November 12th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
To be fair to Frank I look back at every roster we have had and really he hasn’t had that much to work with. He had the big 3 but really Rj was overrated
November 12th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
and stop this losing streak, how many loses will it take before frank is fired i feel like 0-13 before they think bout it
November 12th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
every day I go on here to find a report about the nets firing Frank
and I find this. Somebody shoot me
November 12th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
The guy has a .500 record (maybe lower now) in his time here with seasons that included Kidd, RJ, Kenyon and VC at different points in time. I don’t think he manages the rotation well. He has a dog house that is hard to get out of. I have never seen any semblance of an offensive system from him. He preaches defense for the past couple seasons and no one listens (last couple games excepted). the entire small ball thing just doesn’t work but we keep doing it. I don’t see him having a vision for the players to buy into.
I don’t agree that he would get another job quickly. As an assistant yes, as a head coach no. If he did, it would be just like here, streaky and .500 at best. I don’t hold him as responsible this year based on injuries but a new voice would be refreshing.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Re:
>>and stop this losing streak, how many loses will it take >>before frank is fired i feel like 0-13 before they think >>bout it
Have you LOOKED at the roster ONCE? Seriously, try it.
What do you think Phil Jackson would do with this group?
November 12th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Frank is a good coach. Do you think Red Auerbach would have this team in the playoffs? Realistically, this one of the least talented teams in NBA history. The fact that Frank is keeping them in these games is a testament to how good he is. He just has nothing to work with. I was at the game last night in some good seats and I could see how frustrated TWILL was getting with Frank though. I don’t think the players have alot of respect for him but he’s one of the best X’s and O’s guys in the business.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
this is an e mail i wrote a couple of years ago when Frank should have been fired, it will give you Frank supporters some perspective
im watching the nets game on my tv i think im going to puke!!! couldnt make it to the game tonight. heres the facts!
nov 2- 37 point loss at home toronto
nov 16- 25 point loss at home orlando
nov 17-loss at home!!! to last place miami now 8 wins 28 losses
nov 27 – loss at home to last place memphis now 10w-28L
dec 5- loss at home to last place new york now 11w-26L
dec 11- loss at home to last place clippers now 11w-23L
dec 15- loss on road to last place knicks
dec 18- loss at home to second to last place sacramento
dec 26- blowout loss to detroit at home
jan 14 26 point blowout loss at home to portland
tonight life or death with last place knicks again
fire isiah, we might be 0 and 3 against the knicks!!
we are 0 and 4 at home against 4 last place teams that have a combined record as of tonight 40 wins and 105 losses and without us 36 wins and 105 losses.
on the road these 4 teams have 15 wins and 55 losses with 4 of the wins against us.
throw in the sacramento home loss in the record is 19 -67 with 5 wins against us and 14 against the rest of the league. ugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the little generals time has come as the team just isnt playing for him!!! its time for him to go!!
no other coach in the league with our talent level would keep their job!!!!!! please the season is over.
or lets give up trade kidd and move on!!!
debbie please not this is no reflection of you or your hard work but we all deserve better
thanks for listening and your time,
November 12th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
If Frank is such a great coach, this mess must be placed where it belongs. Thorn is way overrated as a GM. Got lucky a few times, MJ, Kidd,VC, Lopez, but when forced to make a choice in, draft, free agency he has often been wrong
November 12th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
bottom line is that Frank is the worst coach in the NBA bar none. He makes no in game adjustments, pairs players terribly, runs about 5 offensive plays, has no respect from the players as far as i can tell. Please can someone tell me what his accomplishments are other then having the Nets dumb enough to give him a long term deal? He has zero chance of getting another job other then assistant if he gets fired. I keep thinking of the game I think against Toronto last year when they were getting blown out and then stormed home to win with Hill coaching. In the papers the next day the press praised Frank for lighting a fire under them but to me it was obvious, Hill is a way better coach them him. Please Nets management if your reading this fire this guy ASAP.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
How anyone believes any other coach could get any wins with this team is beyond me.
This is a bad team to begin with, and with all the injuries, we should be getting blown out by 30 every game…not just 3 games.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Since whoever is being planned to replace him is no different than he is, it’s better to just keep him instead.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
AGAIN, you cannot have it both ways!!!
When the players are fighting hard to keep themseleves in the game, you claim that this is a testament to how good Frank is. When the players are playing stupid and unmotivated, you say the coach is fine but the players are not listening?
You bright minds tell me what are the conditions when Frank would be responsible then? You Frank supporters are basically not allowing any possibility that this guy might not be that good of a coach. When the team played bad, it’s the players; when the team played good, it’s the coach. Are you listening to this?
November 12th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
i say keep frank as an assistant coach n let scott run the show again. he’s a great coach.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Are you people blind??? Even when we had some talent over the last 2 years we were terrible. We totally collapsed down the stretch those 2 years. I know we have no talent now but Frank is terrible. It used to be Franks end of the game play was to let Carter take whatever wild shot he wanted, now its just have the players not know the play and through the ball away. Still an any Frank supporters tell me what he has accomplished and why he deserved to be a head coach in the first place? Frank is the Eric Mangini of the NBA
November 12th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Hey why not Donnie Walsh?
He did very well in Phoenix. Oh wait, his team is worse than the Nets. Never mind.
None of this matters: I can’t see Ratner (or Viola) approving the firing of Frank in the last WEEKS of their ownership. If Prokhorov/Brooklyn works out, the Nets will have new ownership in six weeks or so. SIX WEEKS.
Once Prokhorov takes over, it’s possible that he will hire someone new NEXT YEAR to run the team.
If it doesn’t work out, Frank’s status will be the least of the fans’ problems.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
What talent? Clifford Robinson as our top bench player? Scott Padget? Oh, can’t forget about Jacque Vaughn and Travis Best. Those guys were just amazing.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
frank isnt being fired anytime soon if at all
the nets are bleeding money lets not forget
they arent going to let frank sit at home while they pay him 4 million this season…they cannot economically justify that
Until Prohkorov is approved nothing will happen, and nothing says he makes a change either…
November 12th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
You guy say like Lawrencen Frank never have players like Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, and Richard Jefferson.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Honestly, I don’t hear too many good replacements unless you guys are reffering to yourselves.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Someone on here said Frank coached KMart, Kidd and RJ so he is some kind of underachiever. Um, he was 33-18 with that group and took them to within one game of the EC finals with an injured Kidd. Great point that guy made.
Someone else said the Nets had “decent talent” the last few years. That’s absolute nonsense. Ridiculous.
Face it, people who don’t like Frank don’t like the way he looks. That’s it. Here you have people who know what they are talking about telling you the guy knows what he’s doing.
He’s spent years making this chicken crap look like chicken salad. Get over the way he looks, open your eyes, do a little research, watch a game or two and actually learn something about basketball so you know what you are watching.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
and every one forget the game1, we have CDR, Lee, Harris, Yi and we had 19-point lead, and guess what? the second worst T-Wolves in the league beat the Nets in the final second.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Frank would only get a job with teams like Memphis, OKC, or Toronto. Memphis and OKC dont know what winning is like anyway so he could do no harm and Toronto fans like him cuz Sam Mitchell was worse. Frank is not a great coach at all, he’s great at figuring out other teams plays, but he doesnt know how to get his team to execute to counter them anyway. He also doesnt know how to make adjustments during games or when to substitute and where to maximize his players. Those things have been true since he’s been here, not just THIS year. THIS year no one could win with this team, but he’s only had them show effort for like 2 or 3 games so that’s not exactly great either. He doesnt even know how to hold players accountable esp. stars. Yeah, Frank has never had any teams with talent, it must suck having guys like Kidd, Carter, Jefferson, and Krstic on your roster.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
someone please tell me
How did Frank convince his friend Thorn to give him such a huge contract?
November 12th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
If my competent is so bad, I would also praise him, too. Because he is not a threat. I don’t know it is that important if Eddie Jordan or Doc Rivers praised Frank. Because it’s none of their business, they just can get 4 wins from the Nets every season.
If you are Rivers, would you criticize Frank ??? It would only makes you a bad person, and you will have to cope with a better coach.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
Every one tells like we are only criticizing Lawrence Frank when most of the starters are down.
God, please knock on your head, we have criticized Frank since he had BIG 3, had healthy players (like game one). He blew up SO MANY GAMES!!!
Frank already proved he could lose games with good players, not only he is losing now with a D-League team, he just can’t win any game with ANY PLAYERs.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
The Nets losses would have been bigger without Frank.
That is because the players are motivated to help their coach win some games.
After each loss, clearly LFrank is the most upset inside.
Even BLopez’ scowl disappears shortly after defeat.
Everyone knows that although Frank won’t be fired at this time, he is in his last year.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
Re: jarkid
Great conspiracy theory!
Would be so kind as to point me to an article where they are actually praising a bad coach?
Have they ever praised P.J Carlesimo, Jim OBrian or Mike Dunleavy? How about Bernie Bickerstaff? How many coaches have praised them?
You’re totally right though, if they didn’t say anything, Thorn would immediately fire him and hire a clone of Phil Jackson, who would resign as a coach of this team after 25 games.
November 13th, 2009 at 12:02 am
The “Big 3″ was a highway billboard scam. There was little ‘big’ about it. Unless you mean 3 big egos that had little compatibility.
November 13th, 2009 at 12:03 am
I know the Nets don’t have enough talents, but if this team in the past can CREATE SO MANY LEADS, They can blow it out EVERY GAME… just amazing.
Yeah, you guy are saying the NETS didn’t have enough talents with Clifford Robinson or Scott Padget as our bench. BUT THAT TEAM was still LOSING against those few of the worst team in the league. Lost to Knicks, clippers, kings, bucks, and wizards …those team were TERRIBLE by then….
YEAH….
November 13th, 2009 at 12:05 am
then please tell me how this team keep losing against bad teams in the league?
how they keep giving up the lead every game?
how when frank plays small ball, they are gonna giving up the leads?
November 13th, 2009 at 12:11 am
The only thing keeping Frank is because he has a good contract. If he did not have a contract I am pretty sure he has been kicked out 2 or three years ago.
The money he is getting is unbelievable in millions. HIs service to the team is like for a win of let’s say average of 30 games/yr is a $130,000. Wow anyone here in the blog can make this NETS win games for less than that. You still think he deserve to get paid 130000 just to have a win.
And now it looks like NETS will win only 15 games that makes his winning more costly at 260000. Wow unbelievable.
November 13th, 2009 at 12:13 am
This is an 82 game season. Every world champion every season lost to a terrbile team.
One of the main reasons those teams lost is because they ran out of gas, since they were basically 3 good players and a bunch of scrubs.
Also, please visit the forum. Pegs researched the so called “3rd quarter collapse” that New Jersey is infamous for amongst fans. His findings proved that this is a myth.
November 13th, 2009 at 12:15 am
What talented roster are you guys talking about?
Go look at the rosters each year since he’s been our coach an you’ll be amazed at how many aren’t even in the league anymore. It amazes me how some of you choose to turn a blind eye to te actuall reasons franks team have been incosistent. I’m not saying he is perfect but not even Phil Jackson would Not have done better with the players and bs cheap ownership frank had to deal with.
November 13th, 2009 at 12:43 am
What are you talking about? Dollars per win?
November 13th, 2009 at 12:48 am
Ha ha. I love it. This must be getting under the skin of all the Frank haters with an agenda. Yes, he’s still a good coach trying to make his best out of this putrid joke of a roster. Yes, he’s still the all-time Nets wins leader. No small feat with this pretty sad franchise over the years. And, yes, he will get another job, probably a better one, real soon once his time here is done. Now you can go back to talking about how we would have won some games if he played Sean Williams.
November 13th, 2009 at 3:28 am
Byron Scott will be Lakers’ new coach once Phil retires… book it.
Frank will be lucky if some losers in Memphis are stupid enough to hire him. The only reason why he has a job right now is because of that albatross contract Thorn signed him to, and because Ratner didnt want to eat all that money, PERIOD.
November 13th, 2009 at 3:58 am
Indeed, I love how the Frank’s keep repeating the same double-bind statement without addressing some substantial arguments against Frank.
1) Motivating players is not something that Frank has done consistently in his career. If you want to give him credits now for this past few games, then you have to suck up the criticism on his inability to do the same thing throughout his career. No double bind here!
2) NBA is a 48 min game. What good does it do to keep your team competitive for 42 mins when it is your in-game decisions and (non)adjustments that handicap their chance to ACTUALLY pull it off–you know, something like, getting a defensive rebound in crunch times. I can vividly recall so so so so so so many of key offensive rebounds that we gave away in tight games in the last min or two over the years, due to things like the small lineup and stuff.
Fans in the stadium booed Frank (not the refs) last year when that control freak stole away a gamewinner by Vince. Those fans include kids, women, elders, and minority; Frank’s flaws are NO MYTHS!!!
This reminds me of how many people insisted that Marcus Williams was going to be great if we ever traded him. The evidence was written all over the place, and people just kept finding reason to ignore it. You will see in five years or so how calling Frank a GREAT COACH would sound in the sports world.
November 13th, 2009 at 4:03 am
This also reminds me how people insisted C. Lee would be a star averaging 15ppg and “DOMINATE”. I predicted that if the PPG was to reach 15, his FG% would take a big hit. Guess what? DEAD ON! People keep insisting that Lee is gonna be the great one behind Harris and Lopez, when in fact all the evidence is pointing to the fact that CDR might be a lot more “SPARKLY” as far as the star discussion goes.
November 13th, 2009 at 4:03 am
This also reminds me how people insisted C. Lee would be a star averaging 15ppg and “DOMINATE”. I predicted that if the PPG was to reach 15, his FG% would take a big hit. Guess what? DEAD ON! People keep insisting that Lee is gonna be the great one behind Harris and Lopez, when in fact all the evidence is pointing to the fact that CDR might be a lot more “SPARKLY” as far as the star discussion goes.
November 13th, 2009 at 4:35 am
@Ast
This team doesn’t lost to bad teams seldom, they lose to bad teams constantly.
Yeah, just keep saying this team is not talented but they lost to the teams that are much more not talented.
November 13th, 2009 at 4:43 am
@Ast
Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar, and Mbenga looks good, because they are playing under Phil Jackson, not because they are really that good.
Jacque Vaughn sucks? Yeah, but he was a solid PG after Tony Parker, and they win the championship.
OK, keep giving a lot of excuses, we can have 10000 excuses for a bad guy, but the truth is, he can’t let a bad team become better than what they are.
November 13th, 2009 at 5:11 am
frank is asst coach material. after prohky replaces him next year, frank will not get a head coaching job on a winning team. he’ll likely get asst coach (where he belongs) or head coach of washington, memphis, etc..
November 13th, 2009 at 6:30 am
One of the NBA’s “Most Creative Strategists”
November 13th, 2009 at 6:50 am
Wow, love when everyone’s prejudices stop them from seeing what is really there. Yeah, you all are prejudiced against short red heads. There, I said it. It’s out in the open. Even your girl friends and wives only watch the Nets for LFrank – he’s so cute! – and that’s why you want him fired.
November 13th, 2009 at 7:07 am
I don’t want him fired, Joe. And hey, at least I still have more hair.
November 13th, 2009 at 7:41 am
FIRE FRANK! AND HIRE BYRON SCOTT!
November 13th, 2009 at 8:09 am
@Andres
You are on point!
Byron Scott will be Lakers coach next year
November 13th, 2009 at 8:14 am
if frank is fired, he’ll be hired as an assistant somewhere else very quickly. i don’t see that happening with scott.
November 13th, 2009 at 8:25 am
i don’t think scott would come back but i wish he would. the problem with frank isn’t his knowledge of Xs & Os, it’s the fact that he’s not a leader and shows no confidence. The SI reporter calls it versatile, i call it wishy-washy. even with the team healthy frank will change game plans night to night making it impossible for players to have defined roles
November 13th, 2009 at 8:31 am
“FRANK HAPPENS”
November 13th, 2009 at 8:40 am
Let’s do a visa commercial for our coach. We’ll assume he gets paid per win.
Money earned after 2 games, zero dollars.
Money earned after 4 games, zero dollars.
Money earned after 6 games, zero dollars.
Money earned after 8 games, zero dollars.
Reading the lame excuses supporting him, Priceless!
November 13th, 2009 at 9:29 am
yes yes yes…we know Frank is a bad coach…no arguments the results speak for themselves.
But why do the same people who yammer on and on about how bad the coach is never criticize the talent level on the roster? Is it because they wear the colorful jerseys and have tatoos and the boy/man-love sets in? Please. When the team sucks the team sucks an dteh payers shpud not be let off the. Bash everybody.
November 13th, 2009 at 9:47 am
These pro Frank excuses are pretty lame
When the Nets win, it’s because of Frank’s genius
When the Nets get beaten within an inch of their lives, it’s because the roster sucks
You can’t have it both ways
Frank is a mediocre to average coach who lacks the ability to make suitable in game adjustments and he often makes horrible rotation decisions with his small ball nonsense.
November 13th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Frank is a good coach? He maybe the most demonstrative NBA coach there is running up and down trying to manipulate the game but good? How about mediocare or overachiever. Is he taking a cue from above starting Lee because they got him for Carter? If he is a good talent evaluator and a good coach he must have appreciated already the talent of CDR even from last year. He should have been the starter and allowed to develop. Now he is putting TWill ahead of this guy. Personality conflict? Blindness to talent? Who knows.
November 13th, 2009 at 10:40 am
L.Frank should be demoted to assistant coach and practice coach to a new head coach now. Cannot get rid of him based on that $4.5 million salary. Ouch! Wow! There are coaches out there doing great jobs making less. He is not a good gameday coach just a practice coach and it has shown since he took the job over. Suggestion Christian Laettner would make a great coach because he knows how to win. He understands game day platooning of players based on having solid coaching and learning from you guess it Coach K. Coach K would be great choice only if he wanted to leave Duke. I think he is not interested in NBA for the most part.
November 13th, 2009 at 10:56 am
Hey, maybe Frank will become a late bloomer, but to call him a good/great coach, at this time, is ridiculous. Since we have no other options at this point, Frank is our leader. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get another contract for next year. I always thought that Thorn kept Frank around because he didn’t want to deal with a “strong” head coach. It’s called job security.
November 13th, 2009 at 11:11 am
Frank is going to finish out this season and then we should look in a new direction. He’s an OK coach who will certainly get another head coaching gig in the league, but it’s time for new leadership. Scott, Van Gundy, Fratello, and most of the other usual suspects would be worse than Frank. The guy we should be considering is Tom Thibodeau, and then hire Ettore Messina as an assistant.
November 13th, 2009 at 11:20 am
I dont know what you guys are talking about 0-9 is a good coach? Any other team would fire him he is horrible. He belongs in High School basketball. He is the worst excuse of a “coach” ive ever seen in my life. If you guys want a losing team then by all means pray he gets an extension.
November 13th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Edd:
First, Terence started one game total – when CDR was injured. I have no idea where you’re getting “putting Twill ahead of this guy” concept from.
Second, Lee has a vastly more impressive resume than CDR does. CDR got bench minutes on a 34 win team, while Lee started on an NBA finalist. Even Isiah would start Lee without thinking about it.
And lastly, are you seriously implying that CDR has vastly more talent than Terence?
November 13th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Frank is not going ANYWHERE y’all complaining ain’t gonna send him packing. So you just better get use to him now or oh well cause frank is not going anywhere! The staff loves him if Kiki and thorn is still here which y’all want them to stay here then Frank is gonna stay here he is loved by management what don’t y’all understand!
November 13th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Frank is an excellent coach. Read the article folks. He is a creative strategist. His out of timeout calls are awesome. His schemes to limit teams are effective. His ability to build an offense around his players (think Harris) is second to none. Yes, he will be hired in a heart beat if we are stupid enough to let him go. Look across the river. D’Antoni is thought of as this great coach. I don’t see half as much of what I see from Frank. If Frank had those horses, Harrington, Lee, Nate, etc. he’d have 4 wins right now.
November 13th, 2009 at 11:50 am
“You say yes, I say no
You say stop and I say go, go, go
Oh, no
You say goodbye and I say hello”
November 13th, 2009 at 11:56 am
I havent read the article, but as the saying goes: “Don’t believe everything you read”. Frank will stay for the rest of the season because of money issues. (I think even Thorn was ready to fire him after last season. but held back because of his contract. Of course Thorn signed him to that rediculous contract in the first place but Thorn is another subject) Frank talks the coach talk very well, seems like a nice sincere guy, but does not have a clue about what it takes to succeed in the NBA. His only concept is to to play small in every situation. Not once in his Nets coaching career has he ever tried to counter an opponent by getting bigger, longer, hence rebounding better or shot blocking.
Whether he has talent or not, he only ever ever tries to play one way, as small as possible in any situation. I cant take it any more. Maybe he is right and this is great strategy, but did anybody ever look at any or the top NBA teams. No small ball there. BTW did you see what the Lakers size did to the Suns last night, without Gasol.
Frank has always played his players out of position to the extent that Nets should declare a total moratorium on evaluating any players until he is gone.
I can’t take it any more. Let SmallFrank finish out the year and lets get on with it in 2010 with 2 no 1’s and a new coach.
And sorry Nets Income, but no way he gets another head coaching job in the NBA after this year.
November 13th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
and as @ Pawley astutely pointed out: Can’t get by the huge tie knot either. I cant take it any more.
November 13th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Frank coaches the team ok but there is no excuse for the large size of his tie knots. Maybe on a taller guy it would be less glaring, but i think that knot means LF walks the plank.
On another note (how cute he is) remember when he took over from Byron and an interviewer asked RJ if LF is too small to coach in the nba? He said “No, it’s great! He is just so darn cute!” Who else is versatile enough to be coach AND mascot?
November 13th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Just another reason why he’s OPIE.
November 13th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Maybe it’s a suicide prevention tie.
November 13th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Point is, Frank’s contract is done after this year. No way a Wade, Bosh, or Lebron is playing for Lawrence Frank.
November 13th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
The only thing I have to say is:
why is when players get hurt the guys the have been riding the bench and hardly gets playing time suddenly play better?
Is it because they step up? Or is it they have always been contributors but Frank just doesnt know how to use them?
WoW!!! How many people have been screaming forever for Boone and Lopez on the court together? WoW!!!!!! I guess Frank is a genius for FINALLY pulling that off.
November 13th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
In any sport the bottom line is winning. It doesn’t mattter if the coach is a nice guy or a jackass. It doesn’t matter whether anyone “thinks” someone is a good coach.
I certainly didn’t think BScott was a good coach but he won. For all the people that say BScott had much better players you are saying that in hindsight. Absolutely nobody, thought the Nets were contenders prior to them getting to the Finals. The winning happened under BScott watch.
L.Frank as head coach has steadily led this team to the point we are now. Regardless of what anyone thinks of LFrank he doesn’t win and that’s what it is all about.
November 13th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
It just keeps getting worse. When he had a team he couldn’t win the big games. So the management started making moves and he still can’t win, only now he can’t win anything.
Is it entirely his fault – no. Is he a great coach – no. Does he have basketball knowledge – yes. Can he motivate a team – no. Does the team fear him more than losing – no.
Its not about Xs and Os – its about results. How many of us out here have lost our jobs through no fault of our own.
If he keeps losing – he’s gone.
November 13th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
@ Mike Maybe it’s a suicide prevention tie.
best line of the week…
November 13th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Here is my opinion on the thing, and maybe it has been said already, but Lawrence Frank’s basketball knowledge is unquestioned. At least by me, when you hear him talk in the pregame, postgame, or at practice you hear that he knows what he is talking about. He just doesn’t have the “feel” in-game. Like who to put in and take out, when to switch to zone and when to stay in man. Remember when he took Yi out in Minnesota for the last play of the game, replacing him with T-Will when you need a rebound? Of course the ball sailed over T-Will’s head and the buzzer beater happened because of it.
November 13th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Well, in basketball, winning is 90% players, 10% coaches.
Frank puts the team in a position to succeed. Sometimes they do something with that, sometimes they don’t.
This guy isn’t a miracle worker. He’s just a good basketball coach.
November 13th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
@sebastian
We do not disagree with you that Frank has the Knowledge in his head, but as the laymen say, it’s the difference between talking it and walking it. You know, the scientists who study human movements in the lab are not actually the best people in moving their bodies??? Frank is a great talker, I’ll give you that. Is that what defines a GREAT COACH?
November 13th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Have you ever noticed that Opie never gets thrown out of any games. He’s afraid if the team wins without him he won’t be called back to coach any more.
November 13th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Those who can’t do, teach.
Opie would make a great college coach. But on the pro level teaching is like preaching, nobody listens.
November 13th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
@biggie – I totally agree with you, I am not a Lawrence Frank fan at all, I guess I was just trying to explain why the scouts would call him a great strategist though he is obviously a poor coach. Like you said, it is one thing knowing what to do in situations, it is another thing to implement it correctly.
November 13th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
pegs Says:
November 13th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
“Frank puts the team in a position to succeed”
Was having the 6′6 Simmons on the 6′10 Speights with the game on the line one of those positions. LOL. He couldn’t put this team in a position to win if he had 5 Hall of Famers.
November 13th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Too bad that’s trivial and didn’t cost us the game
At the end of the game, it was Rafer, Williams, Hassell, Boone, and Brook against Ivey/Green, Iggy, Young, Speights, and Dalembert.
Then, Dalembert was replaced by Kapono and Boone was replaced by Simmons. Boone and Simmons were subbed in and out depending on who was in the game and depending on whether they were playing defense or on offense.
For one minute, Simmons was in the game against Speights, and Speights didn’t even score.
All inthe play-by-play. http://www.nba.com/games/20091111/PHINJN/playbyplay.html LOL. You’re reaching.
November 13th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
I see Frank make the same mistakes that all coaches make. He has over-thought a few situations and lost us some games here or there. It has been said before- the guy clearly knows his stuff- somehow it is not being implemented.
It is my opinion there is a lack of respect for Frank by some of the players, not just this season but in the past as well. He talks a lot and they tune him out. This is one of the reasons I have had so much venom for Harris, Alston, and a few others, though. They don’t listen. They are supposed to be an extension of the coach on the floor and they are not. They don’t trust their teammates and they think they can be the savior. Frank might have to be fired because these players don’t respect or listen.
Do you keep the coach that no one listens to or trade the terribad players that don’t listen- quite the conundrum.
I vote we sit back and watch the train wreck.
November 13th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
@Molskin; They sound like they all deserve each other. Till death do they part?
November 13th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Bottom line Frank is a poor closer. This was his history even when Carter was here. They lead most of the game but comes the last 2-3 minutes of the game, the other team beats them.
November 13th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Is ANYONE who thinks BYRON SCOTT should be our coach a fan from back when we were in the Finals? Did anyone sit in stunned disbelief as we let a certain game 6 victory slip away without any timeout or adjustment from Mr. Scott? Does anyone remember that night?
November 13th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Good call @ Mike. I am going to the big knot in my tie when I watch the Nets. Should be helpful when I want to choke myself when Frank goes small sub in the last minute and the other team gets the big O rebound…
November 13th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Good call @ Mike. I am going to the big knot in my tie when I watch the Nets. Should be helpful when I want to choke myself when Frank goes small sub in the last minute and the other team gets the big O rebound…
November 13th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
No one will come to the team with Frank as coach
imagine Thorn signs him to an extension?
Thorn with 8 players played only 7 like seriously no rest for the players? Great way to get them hurt too!
Frank nice guys finish dead last you arent a coach you dont know how to be a coach you never monivate or have a voice. I bet the team just boss’s you around and doesnt let you talk. Frank you are an embarassment to BASKETBALL!
November 14th, 2009 at 1:24 am
@ Pegs
“For one minute, Simmons was in the game against Speights, and Speights didn’t even score.
All inthe play-by-play. http://www.nba.com/games/20091111/PHINJN/playbyplay.html LOL. You’re reaching.”
At 1:10 Spieghts scored and was fouled by Simmons. After Speights hit the foul shot for the win, Boone came in. Check your source. Figured an Opie supporter.
November 14th, 2009 at 8:56 am
Not a huge fan of Frank or the coaching staff in general. 4 Seasons of RJ VC and Kidd and horrible offensive performance not to mention being out coached in the playoffs consistently. (I’m mainly referring to the Miami 2nd round loss). I realize that is the year they won the championship but we had a very good team that could have won more than one game. Being a season ticket holder and watching Frank on the side with his ridiculous time outs, third quarter Droughts, and his behavior alone brings to question his professionalism. The guy runs onto the court almost any chance he gets sometime you think he is a 6th player or is going to double team someone. All seriousness I don’t think right now there are many options for coaches last year we should have made our move and gotten a new coach. Byron Scott is not the answer he pisses players off along with Avery Johnson you can only deal with that so long. But to both coaches credits they did make some trips to the finals and win coach of the year.
Once we change our Coaching staff we should see a turn around in our team, I haven’t seen one spectacular play from this team in years especially late in the game that made me say wow I’m glad we have that strategy put in place. Look at all the late game collapses and horrible offensive trips, yes you can say it was poor execution (which it was) but poor execution starts with poor planning.
I’m n
November 16th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
@ jabez – I’m not sure there is really any good way to replace Frank UNLESS we get Bosh NEXT summer. I don’t think that Thibodeau would work well with this team.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
@ TheMann – In their previous incarnation O.K.C. had plenty of experience with winning, so your argument is false.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
@ itsaduck – he actually went 32-19. If they had won game 7 of the Pistons series, then they would have gone something like 33-22.