All things considered, Frank has done an alright job with the Nets. He certainly hasn't had the kind of success the Nets hoped for when they hired him. After two straight Finals appearances under the guidance of Byron Scott, Frank has failed to lead the Nets farther than the second round. This season especially has drawn on the patience of Nets fans. The Nets traded Jason Kidd amidst his clear displeasure with the organization. On top of that, it appears as though Vince Carter has decided to give up on his team again. The Nets finished in the bottom third of the league, tenth in the Eastern Conference, and out of the playoffs for the first time since '00-'01.
I don't have any thoughts or ideas of replacing him at all. He's done a good job for us, and I'm sure he'll continue to do so in the future.We've had a really tough year, on a lot of levels. The Jason Kidd situation made things difficult. We had injuries like everybody else. This hasn't been an easy year for anyone on our team, particularly for coaches, with all the stuff that's gone on around here.
I don't see anything that can transpire that would change my mind. I got a call from a writer the other day who said he's writing a column that the coach should be fired. So I know it's out there in the media, and from fan e-mails. But that's not going to influence me one way or the other. I know the job Lawrence does for us.
That said, it isn't uncommon to hear fans in all sports to disapprove loud and clear after disappointing seasons. The most common targets of these complaints are star players or coaches (see: Thomas, Isiah).
The Nets, however, think this practice is unfair. As a matter of fact, they've got some gentlemen in suits to "take care" of those who wish to disrespect Frank.
Now I don't know about you, but I've seen some signs with more bite than that before. Never have I seen them taken down and the bearers removed. Even IU is less sensitive about Bring Back Bobby T-Shirts. All I ask, dear readers, is if you don't hear from me in the next few days, send out the search party, I'm probably somewhere just off the Jersey Turnpike in a shallow grave, wrapped in the Fire Frank banner.
2 comments:
As a Nets fan I have to agree, Frank has been quite disappointing. However I think you have to put some things in context:
1) He wasn't being led out of the building by Rod Thorn. The Nets are not the owners/controllers of their arena as the Knicks/MSG are. That said, maybe there was some directive issued by the Nets brass, but who knows. I'm not sure what motivation the Meadowlands Security people had for removing that fan, it seems extremely outrageous, but not sure it can be traced back or blamed on the Nets. They are only tenants of Izod Center.
2) The whole "Vince Carter quit on his team" thing is played out. I read this over and over and over. When Jason Kidd was traded, Vince was the person who stepped up and took on more of a leadership role. Read anything by D'Alessandro (Nets beat reporter) and he'll concur that Jefferson's defense was the big problem for the Nets down the stretch.
1. Certainly it wasn't Rod Thorn directly but like I said, I've seen signs with more teeth that haven't got people removed. Someone upstairs makes the rules for sign response etiquette.
2. Yeah, it is a bit played out but I won't say it didn't happen here. He was rejuvenated in Jersey when he got there but again has started to have the "do I have to be here?" look on his face.
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