Outlet Pass: Frank Fired, 0-17 Nets, + T-Wolves Win
Hooped Up | November 30, 2009
The winless New Jersey Nets have fired coach Lawrence Frank with immediate effect. The Nets announced the move Sunday shortly after ESPN.com’s report that Frank would not coach the Nets in Sunday night’s road game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Despite playing hard for assistant coach Tom Barrise, the Nets matched the worst start to an NBA season with their 17th straight loss as the Lakers overwhelmed New Jersey 106-87. The Nets’ announcement said that Frank’s permanent replacement has not yet been chosen.
“I want to thank Lawrence for more than a decade of service to the Nets, first as an assistant coach and then as the head coach for the past six and a half seasons,” Nets president Rod Thorn said in a statement. “Lawrence always approached every day with a passion for his craft that was infectious, and his dedication to the game as well as his work ethic are to be both admired and appreciated. I wish he and his family only the best of good fortune in the future.”
Nets assistant coach John Loyer and general manager Kiki Vandeweghe are considered the internal co-favorites to succeed Frank for the rest of the season, although neither has ever been an NBA head coach
ESPN
NBA ignominy, you have a new co-leader. It wasn’t fair, but it’s never been about that for the Nets this season. They lost again Sunday night, lost like they have every time this season, falling 106-87 to the Lakers to leave them 0-17 to start the season.
That matches the 1988 expansion Miami Heat and the 1999 Los Angeles Clippers for worst start to an NBA season.
The Nets can set the record when they play Dallas at home on Wednesday.
The Star-Ledger
From the precipice of lasting infamy, the Timberwolves on Sunday plucked a stupefying 106-100 victory at Denver that ended their losing streak at 15 games, one loss away from tying a franchise record.
Until Sunday, the Wolves hadn’t won since opening night, 32 days earlier.
Until Sunday, the previously 12-4 Nuggets hadn’t lost in their past 17 home games, a streak that dates to last March.
Star Tribune
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