The Aftermath – Loyer? Harris?

November 29, 2009, 5:21 pm

With Lawrence Frank out, the Nets are more likely to choose a successor from the ranks of his assistants, possibly John Loyer, than move Kiki Vandeweghe to the bench. Rod Thorn said he’d also consider outside candidates with former NBA and Team China coach Del Harris among those rumored. The decision to fire Frank got mixed reviews, with most blaming ownership. Mikhail Prokhorov had no comment.

Nets fire Frank (UPDATE) - Ken Berger - CBS Sports
Thorn is the last reason to believe in Nets - Steve Politi - Star-Ledger
Analysis: Next NJ Nets coach - whoever that is - has a tough job ahead of him - Dave D'Alessandro - Star-Ledger
Firing Can't Erase Frank's Fantastic Voyage - Ian O'Connor - The Record
Alston: Quite Frankly, onus is on Net players, not coach - Julian Garcia - The InterNets
Unlike friend Frank, Rambis sitting tight - Jerry Zgoda - Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Frank becomes cap-space casualty - Ken Berger - CBS Sports
Frankly Speaking, Frank Takes the Fall - Lisa Olson - FanHouse
As New Jersey Nets owner Bruce Ratner works on cheap, Lawrence Frank gets booted - Mitch Lawrence - New York Daily News
Carter no comment on Frank - Steve Adamek - The Record
Franks for the memories - Fred Kerber - New York Post
Ewing eyes Jersey gig - Marc Berman - New York Post
D'Antoni gets free pass, unlike Frank - George Wills - New York Post
Karl: Frank, fired by Nets, was dealt a difficult hand - Benjamin Hochman - Denver Post
At 0-17, Nets’ season falls to new depths - Jonathan Baum - Yahoo! Sports
Nets look to move on without Frank - Arash Markazi - Sports Illustrated
Net games are simply Net losses - Mark Heisler - Los Angeles Times
Frank fired, but failure isn't fatal - Jon Lane - YES Network
The Nets And You, You Big Loser - Barry Petchesky - Deadspin
Boki Nachbar on twitter - - Twitter.com
If Firing Frank Is Wrong, Do We Have to Be Right? - Bethlehem Shoals - The Sporting News

Posted in Barrise, Tom; Coaches-Scouts; Frank, Lawrence; Loyer, John; Overton, Doug; Thorn, Rod; Vandeweghe, Kiki | 73 Comments »

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73 Responses to “The Aftermath – Loyer? Harris?”

  1. Jack Says:

    Wouldn’t it be a better idea to get a coach with experience to lead a rebuilding team like this?

  2. mr. omG Says:

    Wow finally, Frank is no more. i look foward to see this team put some more effort on Offense.

    i want them to bring avery johnson, he knows harris well.

    No more frank :D :D :D

  3. Jon Says:

    Avery Johnson would be terrible for the Nets, as he keeps a tight leash on his point guards. I’d rather see Kiki than any of the assistants though…

  4. mr. omG Says:

    No more frank!!! yey!!!

    :D :D

    no more frank

    P.S if you dont like johnson, who youll sugest ???

    don nelson? wow

  5. BigEd Says:

    Its a players league. You want to do it right get a former player.

  6. superb Says:

    I AM POPPING OPEN A BOTTLE OF HENNESSY RIGHT NOW!!!

    sorry for the caps!

  7. diehardNFFLbarnone Says:

    @ BigEd – Not always. Did Mike Brown play before he became a head coach? No. Did Stan Van Gundy? No. And those are two of the best coaches in the league.

  8. dr. horrible Says:

    Get Jeff Van Gundy on the line

  9. Isaac Says:

    This is outrageous!!! There is absolutely no point in firing Frank now if you are going to replace him with one of his poor excuses for NBA assistants. Kiki was the only logial choice from within the organization since they obviously weren’t going to spend from outside of it. This is sad and truly pathetic.

  10. calling all toasters Says:

    Brooklyn instead of Izod, Proky instead of Ratner, someone else instead of Frank…. SOMEBODY PINCH ME!!!

  11. Wells1580 Says:

    I think they should really look at Mark Jackson for next season or Van Gundy.

  12. netsfan Says:

    FRank gone!!
    yayy!
    lets celebrate!

  13. 1sparks1 Says:

    Yayyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!

  14. NiceBull Says:

    Heard that Michael Ray Richardson and Chocolate Thunder are the new coaches on the radar. Plus, rumor has it that Duncan is back – Sly is out.

  15. Dan the Fan Says:

    Woohoo!!!! Happy New Year !!!!!!!!
    Who’s this guy Lawrence Frank that everyone keeps talkin about anyway.

  16. drmagoo Says:

    next year, patrick ewing

  17. joe Says:

    What happened to this classy orginaztion? To fire a coach like this is disgusting. Can’t it wait till they return or do they actually think this will shake up the poor rich kids into winning? Why not let him ride back with the troops? Frank has been nothing but a great member of this team for many years, but this new Nets just lets go everyone from RJ to VC and everyone in between. Loyalty? Kiki does not want to get near this bunch to coach it, b/c he realizes they are an ill-fitted, talentless, crooked shooting bunch. Maybe when Hayes come back and Dooling…. Till then it is more loses b/c we just don’t have the talent to compete. Even without Kobe and Gasol they would beat us. Who is the next to go? Kiki? Harris?

  18. diehardNFFLbarnone Says:

    @ NiceBull – I would much rather NOT go there.

  19. Randy Oreens Says:

    Lets talk about the time we were down by 20 and frank got thrown out and then we won the game.
    I am smiling and Frank is crying!

  20. Andy Says:

    Jeff van Gundy

  21. Isaac Says:

    at nicebull:

    who is duncan? The previous mascot was “Super Dunk”

  22. Barry Popik Says:

    Mark Jackson?

  23. SmartNetsFan Says:

    Isaac

    Relax man – in the meantime, have an assistant take over for tonight – let the team come home, have some meetings tomorrow and by Tuesday/Wednesday we’ll know who will be the HC…Kiki or an assistant.

  24. JuliusIrving Says:

    Yes, I’m so very happy. Yes Mark Jackson please, I believe I have to wait till next year. With a good coach we will see a real basketball team.

  25. NiceBull Says:

    @Isaac:

    Duncan was the mascot in the 80’s. I was at many a Byrne arena game with Duncan at the helm.

  26. dr. horrible Says:

    from his wikipedia page:
    On May 12, 2009, Van Gundy expressed his desire to eventually return to coaching on ESPN writer Bill Simmons’ podcast, stating he would even consider being an assistant coach.

  27. supernetsfan Says:

    It doesn’t matter when…home or here. Most franchises would have done it weeks ago if not months or years. The Nets gave him every chance, even if they are hurt they are not playing for him. There is no better time than now to continue the rebuilding process.

    No matter who takes over GUARANTEED T will and S will both will get more playing time. As will different combos that benefit their future. They are done playing Hassell 40 minutes a night. Look for Swat to start alongside Lopez and really respond to the freedom.

    I look for vastly improved games from Swat, Harris, Lee and Twill to start….also a couple of wins soon…go NETS!

  28. KJV Says:

    I think it is a great idea that they will not let Frank ride with the team back to NJ. He is getting millions of free dollars from the Nets! Why not let him pay for his own plane ticket! Fly economy, Frank!!! You will not be getting another coaching gig anytime soon.

  29. Isaac Says:

    “Duncan was the mascot in the 80’s. I was at many a Byrne arena game with Duncan at the helm.”

    Thanks my time with the team really started with Super Dunk – who I will take over “Sly” any day. As much as I like John Calipari – the “culture change” he ordered including the hideous uniforms we have been stuck with since he came on board still leave a bad taste in my mouth. Of course that problem only got worse when Yormark replaced our half-way decent blue “New Jersey” road unis with the hideous red “Nets” ones that belong in a pee-wee league somewhere.

  30. Nets in 2010 Says:

    I don’t want anybody on Frank’s staff. It really makes no sense to plug somebody in there that has a connection to him. It’s either Kiki or bust.

  31. geo Says:

    @KJV

    He will get another and better job. He is one of the top coaches in the game. He may take some time, but the offers will be there. I don’t like the animosity here. Sad to kick a man who is down. I will say, he, unlike Kidd, held his head high and gave 100% No migraines. He earned every penny they paid him. This messed up roster was his best work. I can see them going 0 – 25

  32. Mr Dollar Bills Says:

    “Jon Says:
    November 29th, 2009 at 5:47 pm

    Avery Johnson would be terrible for the Nets, as he keeps a tight leash on his point guards. ”

    With the way Harris plays, he’s exactly what we need.

  33. MIKE2RED Says:

    fred kerber looks like he knows what hes doing lol
    they’re not bringing in anybody new, due to the fact the new owner is going to fire everyone and this team is going to be led by russians

  34. Andy Says:

    I was looking foward to kiki…but it also appears that the players have a lot of respect for Doug overton

  35. Ballagurl Says:

    No way Avery Johnson will coach this team–dude is a damn control freak. Furthermore, there’s a curse on him: always comes close, but never good enough. Besides, DH’s confidence will plummet to the floor.

  36. JAYZ Says:

    They should bring in Byron Scott. The only reason Byron Scott was taken out was cuz of JKIDD. Byron revitalized the hornets and he can at least make the nets slightly respectable

  37. LetsGoNets Says:

    I don’t mind having van gundy or byron scott as the coach. Are there any good college coaches that might want to coach for us?

  38. pawley Says:

    Why would they have Tom Barrise be the acting head coach tonight against the Lakers, if they plan on appointing one of the other assistants the Interim Head Coach within the next few days? It doesn’t make sense. I they plan on giving the job to an assistant, they should have done it immediately.

    This tells me they wanted to wait until Monday and have a few meetings in house. Somebody within the Nets organization leaked it to the media that Frank was getting the axe and once the Wire ran Woj’s story it was too late. Thorne has too much respect for Frank than to let him coach a game when the decisions already been made.

  39. KJV Says:

    People keep saying that Frank was fire with the most wins in franchise history, can someone tell me who has more losses than the 241 that Frank has?

  40. NetsDaily Says:

    KJV, after they moved to the NBA, Kevin Loughery went 129-234, so Frank passed him in the loss category after Game 10 this season. He passed Byron in the win category a long time ago.

  41. Kevin Says:

    Good, id like a guy who actually is a coach to be the head coach.

    What makes anyone think a GM can coach?

  42. jerry25 Says:

    The point guards NEED a tight leash. He teaches Defense.
    Avery Johnson is what the Nets need.

    However, in the interim, Kiki wouldn’t be afraid to shake up the lineup as needed. I think Kiki has cold feet for fear of losing his GM job when Proky takes over, if Nets continue losing badly.

  43. djheavyduty Says:

    Lfrank
    225 wins
    241 loses
    this streak puts LFrank under .500
    poetic justic!

  44. BigEd Says:

    I hope they look at Kiki after tonight. I am sure they will bring in a big name and new staff save Walsh after new ownership takes over. and @diehardnflbarone Mike Brown did play

  45. joet Says:

    i am very serious
    why dont we get MJ as our coach

  46. diehardNFFLbarnone Says:

    @ BigEd – You’re thinking of a different Mike Brown. The one you’re thinking of was born in 1963 and God only knows where he is now. The one I’m thinking of was born in 1970 and essentially became a video guy straight out of college.

  47. Nets318 Says:

    “superb Says:

    November 29th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
    I AM POPPING OPEN A BOTTLE OF HENNESSY RIGHT NOW!!!”

    Amen to that brotha, AMEN!

    His replacements should be either

    A. Byron Scott

    B. Mark Jackson

    C. Stan Van Gundy

    A or B are my hopes

  48. JK Says:

    Yo, is anyone else watching the game? I know its rough, but Marv Albert and Mike Fratello are going at it. Crazy.

  49. Tim Says:

    Whats the point of appointing one of Franks assistants? Wouldn’t that be like he never left?

  50. Nets318 Says:

    The asst. are a temp. replacement until they interview the candidates and appoint them. I’m guessing, I hope they have already placed calls to Scott & Jackson.

  51. mr. omG Says:

    80-54 3rd Q

    nets worst modern start in NBA history, next game will make us worst in history old and recent.

    :(

  52. Nets318 Says:

    Good news is, Frank is gone.

  53. Isaac Says:

    Kiki is the ONLY logical choice from within – so of course the buffons running this team will blow that too and stick us with one of the only three people LESS QUALIFIED than Frank to coach this train wreck – one of his assistants.

    Amazing, every time you don’t think it can get worse for this franchise, it somehow always does.

  54. Jad Says:

    I wonder what they can do now….will Pochorov give any direction to Thorn.? or are we stuck with Barise?

    Get Byron Scott Back

  55. Tim Says:

    @Nets318

    Well from what I understand, the Nets wont spend for a coach… which would mean its an assistant….. which again, means more of the same.

  56. asdf Says:

    YESS
    Frank and Carter are gone. Took them long enough. Now if only they can have some sense to kick off Yi

  57. MrT Says:

    As bad as we have been, it makes no sense to get a new coach until we address the lack of offense-abled players. Defense wins championships, but offense wins games and we don’t have nearly enough of it.

  58. superb Says:

    imagine if we brought in patrick ewing. imagine the progress lopez would make with a real coach he can look up to.

    ewing demands respect.

    get ewing in here and oakley as our pf coach.

    mark jackson on the bench too.

    awesome! talk about media attention!

  59. halwas Says:

    You’re forgetting the primary requirement for the new head coach – he has to cost NOTHING! So its someone you’re already paying. There is a short list – pick one.

    Once the Russian gets it – all hell will break loose. You won’t recognize the management a year from now.

    And all this talk about not getting any free agents. Baloney. Money talks and these guys are in it for the money. You may have to get two of them at the same time. Waive the money and they will come.

    And they should flat out release Simmons. He obviously doesn’t care, doesn’t play hard, can’t or won’t shoot straight. He has got to be the worst $10 million player in the NBA.

  60. Eugene Says:

    The next coach should be Bill Laimbeer. He has won Championships as a player in the NBA and as a coach in the WNBA. He would bring a toughness an attitude to this team, which has been lacking. Most of all, he would command respect in the locker room.

  61. drmagoo Says:

    kiki must go next. yoday. jefferson for yi? carter for lee? t.williams and his 35% shooting? give me a break

  62. jirohkanzaki Says:

    Ettore Messina is the next Nyets coach… :)

  63. Net Income Says:

    Ah yes, Ewing. We have all seen the remarkable progress with Howard…his new post moves, his nice 12 foot jumper, his improved foul shooting. Oh wait, we haven’t seen any of that. Ewing is overrated as a coach…but as a denizen of mob-run strip clubs, well, there he has a record of great success.

    Lopez is averaging 18 and 9, 27 and 12 the last three games…against Greg Oden, Spencer Hawes and Andrew Bynum, three contemporaries. Roy Rogers has done a nice job with him. Too often, we find posters pushing the most obvious choices, the ones with the hype.

  64. mt57 Says:

    “That’s probably as little talent as I’ve seen anybody put on the floor in the long time,” Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy told reporters Sunday night.

    Whoa! Dis-re-spect! I guess we don’t play them again this year?

  65. matt Says:

    patrick ewing: ” i would love to coach the nets,i still live in nj” he would help lopez out alot

  66. jirohkanzaki Says:

    What disrespect? Stan was telling the truth and was even making an excuse for the sorry Nets’ winless start. What will he say? These guys are soooo talented why are they not winning? I dare you to find a team who can field worse players.

  67. Ryan243 Says:

    I think firing Frank was totally classless while the team was on the road in LA. The one game that was an absolute lock for a loss on the West Coast Trip was last night. Why fire the guy then? Makes no sense.

    Frank was not going to be here next season anyways. But he has done a good job with the development of DH, Brook, CDR, Ryan Anderson (who absolutely pains me to watch play now). Jury still out on Yi and Lee was never healthy and TWill just beginning his career. Point being that this is a rebuilding year – we were never making the playoffs. A different voice is not going to change the season for them. So if you now replace him with an assistant coach – what have you accomplished? Its the same regime and the same roster = the same losses.

    As for making Kiki the head coach – as GM he can be at every practice helping with player development – and has been discussed in the past that he spent much time with Yi. But again – the roster is still the same – the results are not going to be much different. Maybe we win 20 games this season – we are not making the playoffs so what is the difference. We should have only focused on developing young guys all year – which is what Frank was mostly doing. Injuries played a big part in minutes for Hassell and Simmons.

    Also – this is the most important summer for this franchise. Kiki should be focused on improving this team thru the draft, free agency and the trade market – not on game planning.

  68. Net Income Says:

    The team is being sold in a matter of weeks, most likely to Prokhorov, but if that falls through, then to someone else.

    I don’t think any of these guys will be around, which makes one wonder about how much they will be focusing on ANYTHING between now and July when their contracts run out.

  69. SIC Says:

    To all the people that say what the Nets did was classless. Blame the person the leaked that they were going to fire him. What would have been worse? Everyone looking at Frank like Man, the team made you come to work just to get fired.

    What would you rather? Come in to your 9-5. Do your regular routine. Then at 5 get your pink slip.

    OR

    Get a phone call from home from your boss right when you are about to get up – You dont have to come in today. We are firing your ass.

    Stop with the Classless BS. I really doubt Thorn wanted to can him in LA, but I think he had no other choice. Clearly He should have been fired before the West Coast Trip, but Thorn was giving him another chance to win 1 GAME!!!

  70. Dziedzic Says:

    Why cry over L.Frank? He makes $4.5 million dollars and he doesnt have to go to work. No pitty for the foolish. Now make Kiki coach the year out and bring in only two potential former players to coach for the long run. Karreem Abdul Jabbar or Christian Laettner would be perfect for the next year and the future in Brooklyn. Both of these guys are more then capable to make this work for the long run in Brooklyn. Keep Overton because he really does his job well with the players. GO BROOKLYN NETS! GO BROOKLYN NETS! GO BROOKLYN NETS!

  71. Dziedzic Says:

    @Ryan243 Says:

    Hey Ryan Kiki is the right choice for the remaining year. As far as trades/free agents don’t sweat it because the draft is going to be good to us next year. Priority is to get a long term coach ready for next year along with a solid draft and getting rid of our last year contracts of this year. R.ALSTON/E/NAJERA/B.SIMMONS/T.BATTIE/T.HASSELL This is $28.3 savings for the future when needed. As far as the draft as you know whom I am going to mention. G.MONROE/PF C.ADRICH/C and with our money cap savings buying another high draft pick for W.JOHNSON/SF.
    Wow! Great 2010 Year! Shovel in the ground in Brooklyn/New Ownership/Partnership/Solid Draft/Changing the name from NJ to Brooklyn/2010-55 Wins. GO BROOKLYN NETS! GO BROOKLYN NETS BROOKLYN NETS!

  72. Paolo Says:

    Lol – a lot of wishful thinking in this board for a named coach and personality only coach – the reality is that the team does not have the money and talent to win. This is a rebuilding team and just hoping that the deal with Proky goes through, and that is the only hope right now to get this team back in track. Not a new coach. Even Phil Jackson said that no money in the world will make him coach this team with no fan base and in the swamps.
    L Frank is not the one to blame, the management is the one, and also just these bad luck on personnel injury. Don’t feel bad for him, he is a good coach and he will be back. I feel that they owed him a favor to get out gracefully so that they let him go without being a part of this losing streak.
    Let’s just hope that the Proky deal will go through and Brooklyn will come through. Then continue with the rebuilding.

  73. netsnuts Says:

    Frank. It had to be done I guess but still don’t see what it will accomplish. Debate about interim coach is pointless except that it would be nice to get a few more details on the Kiki throwing Frank under the bus. If so, Kiki should coach BTW Jason I guess someone did let go of the rope.
    Real debate should be: Is Thorn the man to make the pick in 2010 and if so who are the candidates. Don’t like Monroe or Aldrich, both too soft and we have enough soft big men.
    Forget FA. Pick in 2010 could determine direction of franchise for next 10 years