ESPN Reports Frank Officially On the Hot Seat
ESPN’s NBA Senior Writer Chris Broussard reports on this morning’s NBA 411 segment during the Mike and Mike in the Morning simulcast on ESPN2 that Lawrence Frank is on the hot seat and could lose his job if the Nets don’t earn a playoff berth. Broussard mentions how both Bruce Ratner and Rod Thorn like Lawrence Frank, but says winning has become a priority and will take precedent over personal feelings.
Broussard first reported that Larry Brown is interested in returning to coaching, at almost any cost, before his segue way into the Frank story, though he made sure to mention that Brown would not fit in New Jersey. One look at the Nets record, compared to the pre-season expectations, and Frank on the hot seat does not come as a shock. Fans have lit up message boards calling for the coach’s head during this dysfunctional, disappointing season, though this marks the first public report from sources close to Ratner and Thorn that a change may be on the horizon.
Ironically, this report comes a day after possibly the most disappointing loss to date this season, a 16-point defeat to Chicago, with a potentially season defining game against Atlanta tonight. The rumor will not serve as any distraction, only a reminder of how far the Nets are from where they expected to be.
If Frank goes, who should be next in line?
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Tags: firing, Lawrence Frank, New Jersey Nets, Rod Thorn
6 Responses
eLone March 19th at 1:40 pm
Mark Jackson would be a great replacement.
Anonymous March 19th at 3:46 pm
Hmm, i do agree with the fact that Frank probably has to go if they don’t earn a spot. Not neccesarily because he’s done a poor job this year, but the way it is is if the team does much worse than they are expected to do, the blame first comes onto the Coach, no matter if it is a fair thing or not. Yes Krstic was injured and Carter has majorly underachieved since inking the 62 million dollar contract,and Kidd didn’t seem to have much interest in the Nets, but some blame deffinitely does have to fall onto Frank. If i had to think of a replacement I’d say Larry Brown, or Jeff Van Gundy, or even the Nets very own Bill Cartwright.
Mrlewel March 19th at 4:50 pm
I agree with you anonymous on everything but the Carter thing. VC hasn’t underachieved, have you seen the games or the stats. Only his scoring and shooting is down and that’s due in part to an offense that makes it impossible for any shooter to get a rhythm. His rebounds and assists are up, his stat line this year is 20pts 6r 5a. Career line 24pts 5.5reb 4a. I understand we want Vince to score 30pts a night, but he doesn’t take nearly enough shots nor have a supporting cast (offensive system, spot shooters, rebounders) that allows this to happen.
Joanne March 19th at 7:08 pm
Please, anyone but Larry Brown!!
Michael March 20th at 6:39 am
Carter has definitely underachieved. If you watch, he has games like last night, then he has games like he did in Chicago - jump shots, terrible FG %, no offensive flow. Its inconsistency.
Frank deserves some blame, but how much. It’s not all his fault, but do you want him in control of the future?
Do you go with a big name (Van Gundy, Brown) or take an unproven commodity (Jackson, Greg Anthony), or an up and coming assistant (like Frank was)?
Anonymous March 20th at 8:59 pm
I’d take not an up-an-coming assistant but a coach that has proven he can be a head coach. Sure Cartwright had poor succsess, but he was with a horrible team. i think Carterwright is the Nets most qualified, and best suited for a Head Coaching job of all the Nets’ assistants. Im by no means a fan of Brian Hill.