Thorn: "I Was Never Retired. I Retired From the Nets."

The 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.”