Frank's Future

We're expected to know by tomorrow morning when Rod Thorn gives his end-of-the-season state of the Nets' address about the future of Lawrence Frank.

Thorn will meet tonight with senior management and owners about business and basketball, not just Frank. But Frank is the big topic, of course.

You already know how Bruce Ratner feels. There will be some in the room that are expected to be anti-Frank. Ultimately, the two people that will hold the most weight are Thorn and Ratner. They'll take input from everyone, but Ratner trusts Thorn's recommendation - as he should.

As we've said numerous times, money is a factor.

There have been a few waves of layoffs in the Nets' offices. About 10 were let go from midweek on. Also, the Nets won't have a summer league team, per se. They're joining forces with the Sixers for summer league to help split the costs. The Seventy-Nets or Nexers or whatever they will call themselves will play in Orlando once again.

More teams are expected to do this. Then there also are rumblings that - throughout the league - coaching staffs may be consolidated . Many teams are struggling financially. Not just the Nets.

All of that said, it's hard to eat $4.4 million when all of this is happening and then commit money to someone else.

Money aside, Frank didn't do a bad job this year. In fact, he did everything asked of him except make Yi Jianlian a future star. The argument for and against Frank is laid out right here.

I've gone back and forth on whether he will be back and should be back. There have been times I've leaned toward won't be back because of the lame-duck status, but I also can make a strong case for his return.

My guess is he's back. But whatever happens, no one should be surprised.

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Comments

[Adam.y]

I cant believe Im saying this but I think Frank deserves just one last shot...
Why?
3 reasons:

1)Because this is actually the one year where the man (well sorta) actually did his job pretty well and we as fans do not feel extremley dissapointed with the quality of our team.
Going into the season critics and actually most of us Nets fans as well thought we'd be a 17-20 win team in the first half of the season the team looked great.
What Im saying is that if we didnt fire him after last season's abysimal coaching firing him after an ok season makes no sense.

2.Money, Rathner has been great for this team as far as Im concerned he definately opened up his wallet for this team as far as Im concerned (the refusal to move the team to the Rock till we get to Brooklyn is mind bogling but thats a subject for another day) but the team is still loosing money I'd much rather spend the money on improving our talent level than spend that money on what will really be a high risk high reward.

3)The players have made it clear that they want Frank, we as fans can cry and moan all we like but at the end of the day a coach will get sooo much more out of his team if the team respects him.

So there you go 3 reasons I think Frank deserves to stay until his contract runs out.
But really now this is the final chance as far as Im concerned one more lottery bound year and this guy's a goner as far as Im concerned.

[alex m]

yo al i really think frank should go theres just way to many times when this team doesnt play motivated and i dont like hearing the same thing every post game " hey look we need to improve defeensively and we will (which they never did)" also his old "unacceptable effort" and he doesnt explode? man we just need a coach with more fire who will explode on players not giving effort
text or call me wen you find out wether frank gets fired ( i will be so happy if he does) 607-221-7007

[Mike]

Frank should stay for one more year. He did a decent job this year and bringing in a name coach next year will not make much difference with the current roster. I would rather they put the 4 mil towards a small forward. :)

[dan]

Frank will prob not be fired strictly because of the money factor. as stressed in the article it is cheaper to keep frank, and that’s why i think he is going to stay.
It is the same reason that RJ was traded to Milwaukee for Yi. They thought they would get more money from chinese fans.
and it is the same reason they want to move to brooklyn
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[Jason]

Frank deserves little to no credit for Brook Lopez, who should have had an even better year but was froze out. Selfish, pseudo-point Harris responsible as well. FIRE THIS LOSER. It is years overdue!!!

[Junior]

I am with jason.

People give Frank credit for Harris and Lopez. They are both very good players.

Harris was given cart blanche to do whatever he wanted. Then we complain that he plays no D. The coach didnt pull back on the reigns when the coach noticed the lack of D. Now we understand why Avery restrained Harris. He needed to learn how to be humble and a better PG. IMO Frank actually has hurt Harris then help him.

As for Lopez, if Frank had pull back on Harris and used Lopez the right way, Lopez would have won ROY. The BS pick and roll plays every possession was a waste. If, I HOPE NOT, Frank comes back, he is only going to change the offense again. That will lead to a slow start. Underachieving. Finally Frank getting FIRED only to pass the buck to Hill. Then another year wasted.

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[Sandra]

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