Day Four: The President Is In

The familiar face standing in the doorway of the Nets’ training room, the one wearing a big smile as he watched the team false start a few times on sprints was Rod Thorn.

It was the first time we had seen Thorn since one of the Nets’ press conferences introducing new players and first time we had spoken to him since Nenad Krstic decided to sign with a team in Russia.

Most of us left Thorn alone because things slowed down at the Nets. Also because we knew he underwent right-knee replacement surgery last month. It was later learned he had a heart scare. But the president is down about seven pounds, looked good and said he won’t scale back his duties after the procedure and subsequent health concern.

“No, I’m ready now,” Thorn said. “I’m ready to go.”

That’s good on so many levels because Thorn is a great man – there is not a nicer team executive in sports - who has done wonderful things for the Nets franchise.

Think about where they were before his arrival. Think about the trades he’s made – with the help of Ed Stefanski and Kiki Vandeweghe. We have to see how the Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons for Richard Jefferson deal works out, but Thorn hasn’t made a bad deal yet, in my opinion.

Anyway, Thorn won’t be going to Europe with the Nets next week. He’s going to stay back and rehab. Thorn plans to do his usual amount of traveling once the regular season starts, though.

As for the team, Thorn hasn’t seen that much yet, but he likes the attitude and enthusiasm this group has shown. And despite low outside expectations, Thorn expects the team will grow and mature into a playoff team.

“I don’t think there’s been a year here since my second year that we weren’t expected to make the playoffs if not have a really good team,” Thorn said. “And I would think this year most would say we are probably not a playoff team. We still think we can be. But we have a lot of proving to do.”

Yeah, but you hate losing. So how do you deal with it?

“Well, I think I’m reasonably competitive,” he said. “Like I said, I like the attitude, I think we’ve got some talented kids here and I think we’re going to play well.”

So you expect to make the playoffs this year?

“Yep,” he said.

It’s always good to see and talk to Rod.

***
You know the deal: the Nets have 15 guys with guaranteed contracts and would like to add a third point guard. Thorn was asked if that still is what the Nets plan to do.

“I think we’ll have to see as we go along,” Thorn said. “We’ve got Julius Hodge and Eddie Gill, point guards who have both played in the league, both had some success in the league. We’re going to take a long look at them and then we’ll see what’s available otherwise.”

Of course, the Nets would need another roster move. But there’s plenty of time.

***
Everyone practiced in full at the morning session. Devin Harris returned after missing the end of yesterday’s practice with back stiffness. Jarvis Hayes and Stromile Swift – who banged knees Sunday – went the whole session.

Yi shot at the end of practice, but still isn’t ready to test his sprained left ankle. He’s doing pool work and other things to stay in shape and get ready.

***
We knew the answer, but had to ask. Six practices in, is coach Lawrence Frank ready to divulge his rotation yet? Of course not.

“Oh yeah, we got it all figuredout,” Frank said. “We don’t need training camp.”

Yeah, but we do.
“I know,” Frank said. “I read in the paper today – [Bobby] Simmons is starting. Tell me who’s at four.

Yi.
“OK, he’s practiced a lot. Who’s at five?”

Josh.
“OK. Discount the fact that Sean [Williams] has been playing probably better than anyone.”

You want us to do the bench too?
OK.

***
Frank said the first word that comes to mind when he hears the name Chris Douglas-Roberts is “competitive.”

Comments

[Adam.y]

XD Despite what I think about his coaching skills Franky boy is a very funny guy.

On the subject of Thorn this is excellent news that he's ok you know forget about the fact that its always good that a human being is healthy and is ok after a surgery when people think about who turned this franchise around they think of Kidd, its a valid point but at the end of the day the real reason this franchise was turned around was Rod turning this ship around into a contender in 1 season!

[Johnny T]

How about an update on Vince and his play coming off the ankle surgery. Four days in and no discussion of VC's contribution.

I think this team has more weapons and upside than anyone is giving credit for. Go Nets!!!