News Archive for New Jersey Nets

Can The Nets Lure Rick Pitino?

Saturday, February 13th, 2010

There have been recent rumors that Rick Pitino is considering leaving his current position as head coach for Louisville.  Pitino has denied any interest in the job.  Rumors have been swirling especially since Louisville has struggled this year and are coming off a embarrassing loss to St. Johns 74-55 on Thursday night.  The question in question is can the Nets lure Pitino back to the Pro game?

Can the Nets lure Rick Pitino?

Pitino is 57 and is in his ninth year at Louisville. He has had success at Louisville taking them to the final four in 2005 ,and they are current Big East champions.  Louisville has not played to potential this year and have no real quality wins to mention.

Right now they stand at 15-9(6-5) are on the bubble at best for a bid to the tournament.  They need to make a good run the rest of the season and have a good showing in the Big East tournament to get to the big dance in March.

Pitino does have eight years Pro experience.  He knows the difference between coaching a Pro and College athlete.  The Pro athlete is much tougher to coach now as the money has changed the player and game forever. Pitino would be crazy to take any job in the pros at this point in his career.

The Nets are on pace to have the worst record in the history of the NBA. They are currently 4-47 and need some massive rebuilding.  How much patience does Pitino have for that? He thinks that the Louisville coaching job is as good as any job out there.  Add the fact that they are building a new arena in Louisville, and you see that he is most likely staying put no matter how much money is thrown at him.

Pitino is a great College coach and is great not only for Louisville  but for the college game.  Players respond to him ,and he loves all that comes with the college game.  To me the question is answered, the Nets cannot lure Rick Pitino.

What The New Jersey Nets’ Futility Says About The NBA

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009
Lawrence Frank Got The Hook Unfairly

Lawrence Frank Got The Hook Unfairly

As a basketball fan it pains me to watch the guys on the highlights.  After watching the New Jersey Nets lose for a 18th consecutive time last night, setting a new NBA record that they will likely extend in their next game…it got me thinking.

Coaches can’t play the game for these guys but get the blame. Lawrence Frank, the recently fired coach of the Nets, was actually doing  a relatively solid job.  The players were hustling and the team showed no signs of quitting, it was just the talent wasn’t there to execute the plays and get the ball in the hoop.  Regardless, Frank got the boot.

The New Jersey Nets  need to make some trades and spend some money to get some true leaders on the floor.  The team has one bonafide quality star in Devin Harris and the rest of the team is barely worthy of bench status on the lowly New York Knicks.  Allowing such behavior by senior management that pillage the team for a sale to a Russian billionaire contributes more gasoline to the fire that  has made the NBA joke.

Beyond the debacle that we call the New Jersey Nets, the officials are marginal at best and cater to superstars. Of course, this is when they are not betting on the games that they are officiating.  Here is a suggestion. Lets call some legit fouls and lets make superstars earn that status.  If we can make the officials accountable for their actions and perhaps the fans will get to watch a fairly officiated well played game that allows the best team to win.

And in the middle of all this, maybe the New Jersey Nets will get off the snide and win one for the Gipper…er….Rod Thorn.