Let's Be Frank, Lawrence Had to Go

Nets Fire Coach Lawrence Frank

Sunday Morning the New Jersey Nets surprised no one when they "Relieved" Lawrence Frank of his coaching duties. The Nets started at oh and 16 (before Sunday's Lakers game) and you knew the writing was on the wall. Before his firing, Frank was the longest tenured coach in the NBA's Eastern Conference. He won more games than any other Nets Head Coach (225) but he also lost more than any other (241). Frank started his Nets coaching career with 13 straight wins and ends it with 16 straight losses.

Now that you have all the numbers, here's the skinny on coach Frank. He was very well respected around the league, known as a tireless worker who was always super prepared. I heard interviews with a couple of other coaches who said that this year's Nets disappointment wasn't Frank's fault. I agree. This Nets team was picked to finish last WITH their full compliment of players. But as luck would have it, the Nets found themselves to be basketball's version of the 2009 Mets. They were ravaged by injuries, sometimes dressing only 8 players for games. So a 25-30 win team without their players is not going to look too good, and the Nets don't look good. Frank couldn't get any wins with this team... I doubt Red Auerbach would be able to win with this team.

I think Frank should have been fired a long time ago. When that Nets team with Jason Kidd, Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter underachieved, that's when he should have been let go. That team should have challenged for the Eastern Conference crown but they made quick exits in the playoffs, then started missing them altogether. That's when Frank should have been fired. Firing him now is doing him a favor. He can relax for the rest of the season and cash his checks. Maybe he gets a TV job. So while I feel badly for Lawrence Frank the person (he was really a super nice guy), I am glad they made a change, finally. I got tired of watching loss after loss after loss, watching Frank say: "It was my fault" or "I didn't have the team ready." I know that some of that was him taking the bullet for his players, but he took the ultimate bullet today.

I think Nets fans (all 3 of us ) knew that the team would struggle this year, but this is ridiculous. The Nets have visions of landing a big time free agent this pivotal summer. But if I'm a free agent, would I want to come here to a team like this? I would hope the team has a little bit of a foundation and my presence would help move the team to a different level. It might be too much for one star player to have to overcome.