SportsLine.com Report
June 13, 2000

1999-2000 in review

The Nets got one hire done, but still are searching for a coach in the wake of the Don Casey firing that followed another disappointing season.

New Jersey hired Rod Thorn as president of basketball operations, signing the NBA's head of basketball operations to a reported five-year $7 million contract.

Thorn took the job with the Nets less than one year after he declined it. "Last year, the timing wasn't right. This year, the timing is perfect," Thorn said.

Casey coached the Nets to a 31-51 record and 44-68 overall mark that includes his interim stint last season taking over for John Calipari in March.

In the waning days of the regular season, some players, notably Kendall Gill, ripped Casey for not being tough enough. Yet it was the same players who lobbied to get him the job at the end of last season. What might have happened if Phil Jackson had decided to take the job?

SEASON HIGHLIGHT: After that terrible start, the Nets redeemed themselves with a 10-win December during which they began an eight-game home winning streak. Point guard Stephon Marbury shot less and passed more. During a 9-7 March, with Keith Van Horn finally emerging from a season-long funk, the Nets were within three games of the eighth seed but it was all a mirage.

SEASON LOWLIGHT: You can take your pick. Would you like to try the start when the Nets reeled off a 2-15 record, immediately putting Casey's job in jeopardy. Or their oh-for-April playoff push. The Nets finished the season losing 11 straight games -- 10 in April.

KEY STAT: Take a look at a Nets' huddle in the final minutes of games and you'd see that confusion reigned. The Nets wound up 10-24 in games decide by five points or less. Casey was unable to control the huddle at times and when the club took the court, it looked like they forgot what play to run.

The Personnel File

MVP: Marbury clearly was the team's best player following the first month when he made them worse by shooting too much. Marbury finished averaging 22.2 points and 8.4 assists and singlehandedly won a dozen games.

BIGGEST SURPRISE: Reserve Johnny Newman still has his long-range shooting stroke. He was the lone Net to play in all 82 games. Quiet but steady, the veteran averaged 10 points and rarely got in shooting slumps. If all the Nets were as consistent as Newman, they would've contended harder for a playoff spot.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Jayson Williams never played this season despite a million reports of his impending return. Just when he was legitimately about to return in March, Williams broke his ankle during practice. All the speculation of Williams' return was a constant distraction to the club.

Williams and Kerry Kittles led the way in the Nets logging 272 games lost to injury. Kittles' disappointing injury-plagued season was a close second in disappointments. Kittles missed 20 games with recurring knee problems and has become a major worry. Williams recently told The New York Post that his career could be in doubt because of the injuries.

COACH: Nobody expected the Nets to bring Casey back for this past season but he won by default, getting just a one-year contract. Casey proved that he may be a fine assistant but he's no leader and the players sensed it in the huddles.

Offseason tinkering

DRAFT: The Nets are looking for a center and might find him with the No. 1 pick. Texas 7-footer Chris Mihm appears to be the guy.

FREE-AGENT MARKET: The Nets have no cap room but should sign another veteran power forward with their $2 million exception. The Nets may not re-sign free agent Kendall Gill. Their other free agents are Newman, whom they will re-sign, center Gheorghe Muresan; and Scott Burrell. The latter two are no locks to return.