--Coach Lawrence Frank's job security is in question. With the Nets headed for a second straight losing season and a second consecutive trip to the lottery instead of the playoffs, Frank did not receive the customary vote of confidence from team president Rod Thorn, who always administered one in the past. But nothing is certain and Frank very well could return. This was a season of rebuilding, plus Frank has one year at $4 million-plus remaining.
"After the season, all of us get graded and rated," Thorn said. "All of us. We look at everything at the end of the year." Frank, who went through similar in-season scrutiny last season, praised Thorn for all his past support.
"Rod, to me, is the premier executive in sports because he's very honest," Frank said. "I'll take Rod Thorn any day of the week, not because he's supported me, but because he's always been honest with me. Everyone gets evaluated every year so this is no different than in the past. I don't need a vote of confidence. What we need to do is play as hard as we can, compete and try to win as many games as possible. Then when the season is over then we're all evaluated."
--G Chris Douglas-Roberts is a product of John Calipari's Memphis system and he wishes his former coach success and luck at his new Kentucky address. While some knock college coaches for walking out on contracts, Douglas-Roberts gave a different take.
"It was an opportunity for him to pursue his dream job, so he had to do what he had to do," Douglas-Roberts said. "You can't be against him for that. That's like me going there and not being there for four years. He was there nine seasons, turned the program around and had to leave."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's things we can't control. The things we can control are on the floor. Our effort, the things we do on the floor. And that's the things we have to focus on. We can't worry about that. It's not a decision we make." -- G Devin Harris, on the recent speculation of Lawrence Frank getting fired after the season perhaps affecting the team.
