Postseason President Address

Here is the Cliff Notes version of Rod Thorn’s postseason meeting with beat reporters today:

• Vince Carter “very probably” will have surgery on his right ankle.

• Kiki Vandeweghe will have his contract extended and his title changed to something along the lines of general manager.

• The Nets want to re-sign their three free agents (Bostjan Nachbar, Nenad Krstic and DeSagana Diop). But all three are expected to have plenty of suitors.

• And the Nets need a lot of improving – defensively and with their shooting - from within and from the outside.

This is stuff most of us knew. But plenty of things were discussed in the 40-plus minute sit-down. The coach’s name didn’t come up once because Thorn has said everything that needs to be said about Lawrence Frank.

Among some interesting things Thorn said were he wouldn’t be “surprised” if the nucleus remains the same and would be “comfortable” if Carter, Richard Jefferson, Devin Harris and Krstic are back next season.

Thorn has to say that because he knows anything is possible. He and Vandeweghe are going to try and make moves, some of them involving core players, but what if someone doesn’t want Jefferson or Carter? Then they’re back and the Nets and Frank have to make the most of it.

“There’s a lot of talk about Richard and Vince,” Thorn said. “Those guys are pretty good. If we were a little better at other spots, I don’t think those guys would be a big problem.”

Thorn also said the Nets don’t want to take a “massive step back,” to free up money for later in life (2010 when LeBron, Wade and Bosh are available). He said the Nets want to be good now, which makes sense.

His season-ticket holders and sponsors don’t want to hear the Nets are going to have a couple of more seasons like this past one. Plus, as I wrote on Sunday, why would LBJ or the others even look in the Nets’ direction if they’re not competitive.

To return to competitive and do it with the core they have – OK, I would be surprised if they’re back - Thorn said the Nets have to do a better job of “identifying” good players in free agency, a better job of “developing” young players and that they will try and remain under the luxury tax unless there is a playing there that they identify as someone who makes them better.

“What we have to do is identify around the edges some people that can come in and help us in spots that we need some help,” Thorn said.

“I don’t think we need to use all of those things,” he added, referring to the midlevel, lower-level and two trade exceptions. “Maybe there are some trades we can do where the money will go another way and we’ll take in some. Around 25 teams are operating under the same system. They don’t want to be a luxury tax payer. We’re one of those. But you have plenty of tools to do what you need to get done. You just have to identify the right people.”

A major topic was the Nets’ defense and how they’re not good on the perimeter or on the interior. What else is there? To me that would mean they need to change something up.

Thorn agreed saying it’s got to be a little of both. The guys who are here are capable of being better, but they also have to get those players elsewhere.

“I think we have some guys that are certainly capable of being better defenders, certainly capable of being more physical, more of a force on the court,” Thorn said. “I think we need to add to it also.

“I think Richard is certainly capable of playing better defensively than he did this year. “I think Carter the last part of the year was one of our better defensive players. Devin Harris should be a very good defensive player. With him, it’s more concentration because with his lateral quickness and speed there is no reason he shouldn’t be a very good defensive player. I think there’s some improvement that needs to be done with players who have the athletic ability to do it in those particular spots.

“At the rim is a little bit different question.

“I think we need to be more physical near the rim, challenge more than we have and just be a better presence. For instance, with Nenad, before his injury, he was first or second on our team in taking charges. After his injury he hasn’t done it. I’m sure subconsciously there’s probably something, ‘I’ve had this major injury here and I don want to have another one right now.’ I think that will be out of his mind come next year. With Boone, he’s certainly athletic enough. He just needs to gain more strength and be a physical presence.”

As for the Williams’ kids:

Thorn said he hopes Marcus works out here, but stressed he needs to improve his defense and conditioning because his shooting and passing ability are “well above average.”

Sean, Thorn said, needs to continue to work and get stronger because he complained a few times that his “legs felt heavy,” probably from playing more games and having a longer season than he ever has.

Comments

[Adam.y]

Thorn can do whatever he wants but the fact still remains that this team will still be going nowhere with Frank here.

[Ed Tristram]

Adam -- Did they get to the finals twice DESPITE LFrank?
Still, i was surprised they didnt play better than they did after the trade. The currect team has a lot more hops than the record indicates. Rod's right - Vince did a pretty fine job since the trade, and since we had lots of pieces, why didn't we WIN SOME MORE GAMES?

[Mr. Dollar Bills]

I agree with Rod, Vince gave a solid effort on the defensive end for most of this season. RJ on the other hand looked more like a bullfighter than a basketball player with his horrible defense. I dunno what happened to him, he was never a lock down guy but he was always aggressive defensively and would check the best perimeter player, now, i'd rather have carter on the best perimeter guy because its obvious Jefferson doesn't give a crap who uses his jersey for a urinal!!

[JR]

Quote "i'd rather have carter on the best perimeter guy.." Mr. Bills

You are delusional. VC cant guard and of the top SG or SF. The guys defense sucks. Thorn just said he was one of the better. He didnt say he was the best. He could have been the fifth or sixth best defender.

[ben]

Jr i remember vc held kobe to 6 points earlier this year so yea

[Killer Khalsah]

When Vince wants to play D he can play good man to man D. Its his help perimeter D that has always been a problem.

[Adam.y]

Actually Ed Tristram | it was Byron that got us to the finals not Loser Frank.
And Im sorry that came out wrong we have a great chance to be a solid Playoff team but with Frank a championship or any hopes to contend are minimal to non- existant/

[kaki]

next year core must be VC and Harris. trade RJ and nenad, if you cant fire frank then trade him as well..get a defender alongside carter and a post defender and scorer alongside boone.get a shooter. let nachbar go. he's not consistent enough. i dont see him a shooter.

do this thorn..and you wont regret it.and youll thank me too.

[owner finance contract]

Fatigue can kill your weight loss progress. Being tired makes you hungry and stressed. This causes you to eat more calories. Being tired also decreases your energy. This makes you workout with less intensity and decreases the amount of calories you will burn. If you want to lose weight and keep it off, you must sleep at least 7– 9 hours EVERY night. To get a better night sleep: