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<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Rod Thorn, New Jersey Nets
Pluses: Thanks in large part to Thorn's acquisition of Jason Kidd for an unhappy Stephon Marbury, the Nets made the NBA Finals in 2002, his second season in charge. He smartly passed on paying Kenyon Martin a maximum contract in '04 -- an unpopular move at the time -- and moved him to Denver for draft picks that would help bring Vince Carter to New Jersey in late '04. Entering the '02 draft, Thorn knew he'd have to wait for skilled 7-footer Nenad Krstic, but chose him anyway and the wait paid off (the center debuted auspiciously in '04).
Minuses: With Kidd rumored to be considering San Antonio's contract offer in 2003, Thorn let the point guard make some ill-considered personnel suggestions, which included bringing an uninsured Alonzo Mourning into the fold. Mourning played 30 games with the Nets over two seasons before serving as the linchpin of the deal that brought in Carter. Thorn has been unable to build any semblance of a bench since '00, swinging and missing with both lower-rung draft picks and minimum-salary vets. The lone exception was Mikki Moore in '06-07.
Bottom line: With Carter eligible for free agency, the Nets are at a crossroads. Thorn can keep him and maintain the status quo, but that may only ensure 45 victories in an ever-improving East. As with the Kidd and Carter trades, he may have to get lucky again to improve things, perhaps by turning Richard Jefferson (a nice but limited and oft-injured swingman) into Zach Randolph this summer.</div>
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Pluses: Thanks in large part to Thorn's acquisition of Jason Kidd for an unhappy Stephon Marbury, the Nets made the NBA Finals in 2002, his second season in charge. He smartly passed on paying Kenyon Martin a maximum contract in '04 -- an unpopular move at the time -- and moved him to Denver for draft picks that would help bring Vince Carter to New Jersey in late '04. Entering the '02 draft, Thorn knew he'd have to wait for skilled 7-footer Nenad Krstic, but chose him anyway and the wait paid off (the center debuted auspiciously in '04).
Minuses: With Kidd rumored to be considering San Antonio's contract offer in 2003, Thorn let the point guard make some ill-considered personnel suggestions, which included bringing an uninsured Alonzo Mourning into the fold. Mourning played 30 games with the Nets over two seasons before serving as the linchpin of the deal that brought in Carter. Thorn has been unable to build any semblance of a bench since '00, swinging and missing with both lower-rung draft picks and minimum-salary vets. The lone exception was Mikki Moore in '06-07.
Bottom line: With Carter eligible for free agency, the Nets are at a crossroads. Thorn can keep him and maintain the status quo, but that may only ensure 45 victories in an ever-improving East. As with the Kidd and Carter trades, he may have to get lucky again to improve things, perhaps by turning Richard Jefferson (a nice but limited and oft-injured swingman) into Zach Randolph this summer.</div>
Source
