As I have mentioned, Simmons, Hassel and especially Najera are unmitigated disasters, they aren't worth more than 5 minute plug-ins or for fouls. They are not only terrible liabilities on the floor, they inhibit the PT and growth of our youngins. So, Lil Lawrence...Please realize that it was no coincidence that no Najera and limited Hassel and Simmons translated into our best game of the season. (and yes, it was instrumental that Harris returned, but this was equally key).
Lawrence Frank BADLY outcoached Mike Woodson last night...BADLY. His substitution patterns and overall strategy was as important as anything else in that game. At the end of the game, the Hawks were exhausted. Nets scored 64 points in the second half, 42 in the final quarter and 20 in the final five minutes. What should that tell you? Even WOODSON admitted it after the game, talking about how well Frank had prepared the Nets. I keep asking this simple question: What young players has Frank supposedly destroyed? What players has he ruined that have gone on to greater glory in the NBA, players who "fans" have claimed would thrive if they had a better coach? Tamar Slay? Zoran Planinic? Antoine Wright? Mile Ilic? Marcus Williams? Hassan Adams? Three of those great, hyped picks are not in the NBA and the other three cannot get off the bench in Dallas, in Golden State and in Toronto. And yet, NO ONE gives him credit for the players he did develop, including two taken in the mid-20's: Nenad Krstic and Josh Boone and two young players who the Nets acquired in trades and who have done much better in New Jersey: Devin Harris and (so far) Yi Jianlian. In the case of Krstic and Boone, he brought them along slowly, just as he is with Lopez and Anderson, and wound up with two solid NBA players. In the case of Harris and Yi, he gave them free rein, Harris to run the team and Yi to shoot whenever he is open. Lopez and Anderson have had one good NBA game. I hope it continues but no one is going make major judgments on their career development based on last night. It's silly to suggest otherwise. (And by the way, did Frank repeatedly run plays for Lopez in the first quarter to get him into the game, to get him acclimated.) Sean Williams' future is uncertain, but I do not see teams beating down the Nets door to get him. We know of one offer: Matt Carroll and his four year $22 million contract for Williams and Hassell. That's a salary dump...and the Nets turned it down. Williams started playing organized basketball the summer before his senior year in high school. He had played 100 games of organized ball in high school and college before being drafted. That's it. He may be a special talent, but he needs a lot of development and it may take years. Frank may have his faults...like not putting in a simple enough offense, but as the record CLEARLY shows, he has not yet blown the career of any young player...period.
yes good post NI. Don't you think the frank hater posters here should maybe wait a day or so after the nets and coach Frank had such a great win last night against one of the toughest teams in the east. Only boston beat them before us. That game wasn't a fluke, just what happens when the nets superstar and up and comming superstar have great games, and one or more of the rookies turns in a good performance the nets can be dangerous. The problem with rookies is you always can't bank on them night in and night out. Thats when usually the vets of hayes, or simmons, or dooling have to bring something to the table. Last night dooling and hayes did. I mean how many games is Frank allowed to figure out the best combinaitons with a team that has like `10 new players on it from the beginning of last year to now? Give the coach a break here he's doing just fine... oh yeah, go nets!!!!
He hasn't blown any young players. But this isn't about the past, it's about the present and the future. He did not trade for Hassell, Simmons or sign Najera -- but that doesn't mean they have to have significant minutes, either. We're not winning the title this year. Let's use it to develop our young talent. Some of the guys may or may not be the answer. Let's find out.
kinda off topic but after seeing wat NI posted about williams i actually thing as of late he doesn't look as lost on the offensive end i see a little improvement. 4 a guy whos only played a little over a 100 games
The present, my dear child, is eight games old and is confined to two or three players none of whom are older than 22, not the universe of Nets basketball. The future remains unclear. And again, how about Harris and Yi? Are they not better, MUCH better, than they were on their previous teams, under coaches who were control freaks? In other words, your post is meaningless.
Najera has been hurt virtually the entire time. Frank knowing he has value, particularly on defense, played him to get him into the flow of the offense. This is seen in some quarters as a crime against humanity, an execution order for the Youth of America. He has said REPEATEDLY that the rotation will shift and change. Thorn and Vandeweghe have admitted the roster is top heavy with 4's and 5'. Rather get all crazy about who starts and who doesn't, who's better and who's worse, get excited about what these kids can do. Jesus, after last night, there shouldn't be complaining. There should be at least a sense of relief.
I realize that and did not need you to tell it to me. What about my post implied that I believed otherwise? Please provide a specific example. What about my post suggested that Harris and Yi are not better? If read my post correctly, you would have recognized that I did NOT blame Frank for the past. The part where I said. "But this isn't about the past" supports that. Again, it's about the present and future and not wasting significant minutes on re-treads like Hassell and Simmons going forwards. Please refer to what I actually say, not what you want me to say. My post is meaningless because you say so? Sorry, doesn't work that way. Try to post without personal attacks. I know you can do it.
Najera is great. Nobody gives more effort. He has made himself an NBA player through sheer will and determination. Everywhere else he has played he has been extermely popular because he is so fun to watch. Last year, Denver was a significantly better team when he was on the floor. This is exactly the kind of guy you want young players to be around. If he is healthy, he'll play and it will be up to Anderson and Williams to forcibly take his minutes away.
good point, and that will only make anderson, williams and even maybe brook develop much better. You can already see the effect of najera from summer league to now. He has made all three play more physical since then. Najera is a keeper and thats why thorn and frank and kiki wanted him here for 4 years. He's also like an on court assistant coach out there, plus a leader in the locker room. Someone has to keep the kids in line.
Then give him lots of time in practice to break our young bigs in. When it comes to the game, let the kids play. And if we need him that much as an instructor, maybe we should take a look at our coaching staff. It shouldn't be the player's job to keep others in line
The title of this thread sucks. I'd like to see any of you disrepect this guy to his face. Frank may not be perfect, but he is one of the classiest and hardest working coaches in the league and has done an outstanding job representing the Nets during his time here.
The kids are playing. What is the problem? Does everything have to happen instantly? What's wrong with asking young players to earn something? The season just startes for chrissake.
He does help in practice thats what he did all summer. His role is invaluable and was brought here on that premise. Thorn , kiki, and frank aren't so stupid as to have like 5 players all in their early 20's and not bring in some leadership. And, Najera knew that when he was signed. He's doing what he was brought in here to do, and by the looks of last nights performance has had a good effect. Maybe he will consider a position on our coaching staff when his 4 year deal is over. I'm glad he's on our team. Everybody has a role.
WHOA.... STOP tHE FREAKIN' PRESSES! I started this dang thread, and y'all are too sensitive. First of all, this thread was not meant to be critical of Frank. (Najera, Simmons, and Hassel, yes.) Secondly, I have always called L.F., 'Lil Lawrence.' I have used it to defend him and to criticize him.(and I have defended him much more than criticized him) Thirdly, Najera shouldn't be playing if he is hurt. (I too, hope this is him working 'back into shape,' but from what I have seen, if this is anymore than 80%, he is DONE as an NBA player). Lastly, Ghoti, work on your double posts before you call for someone's thread title change. Go Nets. Go Lil' Lawrence. Heck, go Eddie Nachos.
Agree. Frank is no Pat Riley and he doesn't have to be him. He's Lawrence Frank with his own coaching methods and approaches. He is known as one who would take a bullet for his players. You all saw how he runs to give his fallen player a hand during the game. And for him there is no difference whether this fallen guy Vince Carter or Brook Lopez. I remember when Mavs were on a rise with Avery, everybody on Nets forum was praising him, downgrading our own coach as much as possible. Why now nobody gives credit to Frank for what he's done to Devin Harris by simply not getting into his head all the time he has the ball?
Obviously, those are not my fault. I didn't call for a change. I can change thread titles. I just think it's disrespectful and my opinion remains that it sucks.
