Nets on the Net: 3/17/10 Edition
Mar 17, 2010 Devin Harris, Keyon Dooling, Nets on the Net, Nets vs. 72-73 Sixers, Rod Thorn, Terrence Williams
In his game recap from last night, Julian Garcia talks extensively with Dale Schlueter, coach of the 72-73 Philadelphia 76ers.
Dave D’Alessandro captures my sentiments perfectly about the end to last night’s game: Terrence Williams waited until there was 13.9 seconds left in the game to show that he had had enough. Of course, the Hawks were asking for it: They were up 23 and pressing in the backcourt with 34 seconds left, which is a good way for winners to announce that they don’t care much about basketball decorum.
Dave D. also talks to the players about the importance of 10: “I want to get three wins more than anything,” Courtney Lee said. “We don’t talk about it, but I think it’s on everybody’s mind. You can see there’s a sense of urgency about it, because it comes up a lot. And it’s going to come up a lot more if we don’t get some wins soon.”
Rod Thorn is watching lots of college basketball: “I have watched more games than I normally would,” Thorn said. “I watched all the tournament games last week until the power went out.”
Would Knicks forward Al Harrington be interested in coming to the Nets?
Keyon Dooling wants another chance with the Nets after this season.
Devin Harris talks about Avery Johnson coaching and John Wall at PG over at Hoops World.
Nets on the Net: 3/5/10 Edition
Mar 5, 2010 Courtney Lee, John Calipari, LeBron James, Nets on the Net, Nets vs. 72-73 Sixers, Newark, Rod Thorn, Terrence Williams, Vince Carter
Ben Couch gives a nod to us, so let’s nod right back and mention his great piece on Courtney Lee, who was really settling into a groove recently until he injured his ankle: “Once you start getting back to your normal self and playing well, something always pops up. I just look at it as adversity, and I can overcome it: just continue to work on my game and just work myself back into shape and being healthy and go from there.”
However, Kiki lists Lee as “doubtful” for tonight’s game against his former mates.
Make sure you check out njnets.com at 1 p.m. as the live stream their press conference from the Prudential Center.
Rod Thorn, meanwhile, is unsure of the impact Newark will have on this year’s free agent class: “It’s hard to say,” Thorn said when asked if the Nets will have an edge because of their arena situation. “I think Newark will be a good place to play but I don’t know what it means for free agents.”
Kentucky coach, and former Nets coach, John Calipari talks with Al Iannazzone and pays a compliment to the current Nets roster, while naturally saying how bad the roster he took control of was in the 90s: “You got other guys that are legitimate NBA players,” he said. “I go back and look at our team my first year [1996-97], and whew. You look at our roster … when we won our 10th game I had a celebration because I thought we were only going to win nine. The team I had, I couldn’t believe it.”
Terrence Williams has been playing better lately, but as Colin Stephenson of the Star-Ledger captures, it hasn’t been easy for him this season: “I really didn’t know what to expect,” he said Thursday. “I tried to come here and use the same game that I used in college, but my shot wasn’t falling. I had to re-evaluate myself as a player and change my game to more so going to the hole, but still do the other little things that I do and love to do, as far as, like, passing, playing ‘D’ and rebounding.”
Al Iannazzone looks at whether or the not the Nets miss Vince Carter’s leadership.
Dave Markowitz of the Daytona Beach News Journal assures Nets fans that the 72-73 Philadelphia 76ers were worse. Meanwhile, the Orlando Sentinel looks at the worst team’s in sports history and mentions an NJIT team I believe Sebastian is familiar with.
Another “Buckeye” argues against LeBron bolting for NYC.
Nets on the Net: 2/28/10 Edition
Feb 28, 2010 Bobby Simmons, Brook Lopez, Courtney Lee, Nets on the Net, Rod Thorn
Brook Lopez is thinking what all Nets fans are thinking after yesterday’s shocking victory against the Celtics: “To finally break through against a good team like this shows us what we’re capable of,” Brook Lopez said after leading the Nets with 25 points.
Kevin Garnett, on the other hand, is saying what all Celtics fans are saying after last night: “I’ve got nothing to say,” Kevin Garnett said. “I feel disgusted.”
Speaking of Celtics fans, Zach Lowe of CelticsHub has some fun with video entitled how to lost to a five-win team.
Fred Keber of the New York Post, talks with Courtney Lee about his ankle injury: “It’s stiff right now because I just iced it,” said Lee, who hit one of the game’s biggest shots — a jumper in the third quarter when the Celtics were charging and the crowd was roaring. “Usually, when I sprain my ankle it’s something I can get over real quick.”
Bobby Simmons is one of the most expensive benchwarmers in the league, but he at least has a good attitude about it during an interview with the Daily News’ Julian Garcia: “It’s not really embarrassing because it’s out of my control,” says Simmons, who plays less than any of his teammates.
Rod Thorn remains coy about his future with the organization, according to Al Iannazzone: “Not a thing going on,” Thorn said. “Nothing at all. We’ll just see if and when Mr. Prokhorov takes over, he’ll do whatever he’s going to do. But until, as you’ve seen me quoted, I have nothing to say about any part of ownership. Period.”
Nets on the Net: 2/27/10 Edition
Feb 27, 2010 Courtney Lee, Keyon Dooling, Nets on the Net, Rod Thorn, Tony Battie
The Nets had a hard time dealing with the snow, including Keyon Dooling, who was involved in a minor car accident.
Courtney Lee was equally miffed by the weather, according to Fred Kerber: “This is pretty brutal,” guard Courtney Lee said. “I’ve been in snow situations all my life, growing up in Indianapolis and then in Kentucky and this was probably the worst. [In Indy], we got snow like this once a year.”
Is Tony Battie a buyout candidate?
Nets fans disappointed by the team’s lack of activity at the trade deadline last week should hear what Marc Spears of Yahoo is reporting: Thorn said most of the teams talking to the Nets were focused on acquiring center Brook Lopez(notes) or guards Devin Harris(notes) and Courtney Lee(notes). Thorn considers all three to be key pieces of the Nets’ future – regardless of whether Thorn is around to call the shots after the team’s sale is completed. The New York Knicks, meanwhile, made deals to allow them to potentially sign two top-tier free agents.
Nets on the Net: 2/17/10 Edition
Feb 17, 2010 Coaching, Mikhail Prokhorov, Nets on the Net, Rod Thorn, Terrence Williams
Mike Krzyzewski sounded pretty definitive on the Michael Kay show yesterday when asked if he would consider leaving Duke to coach the Nets: I would not. I was asked over the weekend about that after the game. First of all, I have a lot of respect for them. I think it’s a good job, it’s just not a good job for me, and the Nets haven’t offered that. I hate to comment and make it appear that the Nets have done something that they haven’t done. They haven’t done that.
And Rod Thorn sounded pretty definitive about the chances for activity before tomorrow’s trade deadline: “I’d say probably nothing,” Thorn said when asked what the Nets would do. “But you never know. Somebody could call looking for an expiring contract and then we’d be in business. But right now, I don’t see anything of any importance that we have out there.”
Dave D’Alessandro shares his conversation with Mikhail Prokhorov while the two were in Vancouver. Prokhorov still can’t talks basketball until he is officially approved by the NBA.
Is his annual trade deadline list, ESPN’s Bill Simmons lists Brook Lopez as the 14th most untouchable guy in the NBA.
Terrence Williams should have been in this year’s Slam Dunk competition, but when asked about his participation next year by Al Iannazzone, he sounded unsure if he would do it.
The Nets are getting into the pizza delivery business.
TrueHoop’s old friend Kurt Helin talks about the Rod Thorn situation over at his Pro Basketball Talk blog with NBC Sports.
Nets on the Net: 2/16/10 Edition
Feb 16, 2010 Coaching, Kiki, Mikhail Prokhorov, Nets on the Net, Rod Thorn
A Dave D’Alessandro report makes it sound pretty convincing that Rod Thorn will keep his job in the Mikhail Prokhorov regime.
Al Iannazzone examines how the Nets can get six more wins to avoid all-time infamy: The breakdown is: they have 30 games and 17 are at home; nine are against West teams, four of which are at home; 13 are against teams below .500 at the break and six are at home.
Kkii Vandeweghe throws cold water on the idea that the Nets will make a trade before this week’s trade deadline.
Mike DeCourcy of the Sporting News advises John Calipari to steer clear of the Nets.
Fox Sports includes the Nets as part of their all-star break round-up, “six teams with questions” down the stretch.
Nets on the Net: 2/15/10 Edition
Feb 15, 2010 Jay-Z, Kiki Vandeweghe, LeBron James, Mikhail Prokhorov, Nets on the Net, Rod Thorn
Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that Rod Thorn will likely not fire Kiki Vandeweghe for the alleged under the table deal he made with Del Harris to become head coach of the Nets. Meanwhile, Tom Barrise, is headed to coach Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Rod Thorn is on his way to Vancouver to meet with Mikhail Prokhorov, while those back in New Jersey are working on getting the Nets to Newark next season.
Jerry Colangelo told the Daily News he is interested in a return to the NBA under certain conditions: “I would have to have full autonomy,” Colangelo told the Daily News. “I’m not looking to become a general manager. But if the right job came along I’d be willing to talk to anyone. Life is all about opportunities.”
Jay-Z and LeBron James threw an after party during All-Star weekend which Rod Thorn attended.
Looking at the business side of basketball, the New York Times reports that it’s unlikely that LeBron James would help the stock of MSG, a recent spinoff of Cablevision owners of the Knicks, trading on the NASDAQ.
Nets on the Net: 2/13/10 Edition
Feb 13, 2010 Coaching, Mikhail Prokhorov, Nets on the Net, Rod Thorn
Al Iannazzone writes that Rod Thorn’s future hinges on his meeting with the new incoming owner, Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov. During the meeting, the two could discuss the firing of Kiki Vandeweghe after the trade deadline in February.
Newsday reports that Jerry Colangelo is apparently very interested in Thorn’s job.
Meanwhile, Fred Kerber reports that Thorn is likely to keep his job: “(Prokhorov) knows what he has in Rod,” said one rival team executive.
John Calipari addresses the coaching rumors: “For all of our fans: My name will be bandied about for every job that opens, including AAU jobs,” Calipari said. “High school jobs, supposedly I’ll be taking my son with me. Different college jobs, pro — it’s happened. I just say, ‘Whatever.’”
How about Patrick Ewing for head coach?
The Circus in the Swamp
Feb 10, 2010 Del Harris, Kiki Vandeweghe, Opinion, Rod Thorn
As if watching the Nets chase all-time infamy wasn’t bad enough for fans, those working in the front office appear to be emulating the comically inept and embarrassing play on the hardwood – to the point that the resignation of an interim assistant coach has seemingly exposed the complete and utter chaos that has swallowed this organization.
The recent and unexpected resignation of Del Harris as assistant coach has produced somewhat conflicting stories regarding the circumstances behind his departure. The Star-Ledger’s Dave D’Alessandro reported earlier this week that Harris’s agent asked team President Rod Thorn about Del becoming the next head coach, returning Kiki Vandeweghe to the GM spot, an idea which Thorn rejected. A Peter Vescey report from Tuesday, says that Kiki, Harris and Harris’ agent allegedly concocted a plan behind unbeknownst to Thorn where Harris was promised the head coaching spot later this season, moving Kiki back to GM, where he could hypothetically prove his worth before the house cleaning that is certain to commence when Mikhail Prokhorov takes over as owner.
This morning, Al Iannazzone reported that Thorn is now investigating the details from the Vescey report. If a side deal was made behind Thorn’s back, Kki could get the axe.
All of these stories contain elements that are both plausible and outrageous. Regardless of who’s got the story right here, what ties all of these accounts together is the reported lack of cohesion in the front office.
Nets on the Net: 1/28/10 Edition
Jan 28, 2010 Chris Douglas-Roberts, Devin Harris, Mikhail Prokhorov, Nets on the Net, Rod Thorn, Terrence Williams
If you want to see a master at work, check out Kevin Arnovitz’s recap over at Clipperblog, complete with a terrific use of the “Benny Hill Theme.”
Filip Bondy of the Daily News is celebrating the victory: Who’d have expected this, even against a slumping road team with an inglorious history? The Nets forged ahead by 16 points in the second quarter, grabbed their first halftime lead of 2010 and then steadied themselves after a scary third quarter.
Rod Thorn says he won’t trade his lottery pick this season, so don’t ask.
Al Iannazzone writes that Mikhail Prokhorov probably won’t take over as owner until the end of the first quarter, aka, March.
Iannazzone also questions if Chris Doulgas-Roberts is wearing out his welcome?
Terrence Williams on last night’s performance: “I think the game was indicative of the way I played in college — not really scoring the ball, not really needing to,” Williams said. “Just facilitate and pass the ball and still have some control over the game. I was just fortunate enough to do it tonight with the passing ability and defense — that’s what kept me on the floor.”
The Washington Post may have mistimed this column this morning – a piece talking about how the Nets may be the worst-ever.
Devin Harris talks about some of his favorite cars.