Le Basketbawl

The “Associated Press“; “The Bergen County Record” and “ESPN.com” are all reporting that the New Jersey Nets have fired head coach Lawrence Frank after the team started out the season with an 0-16 record. Reports are that Frank was told by Team President Rod Thorn Sunday morning that he was being dismissed.

The Nets play the last game of a four game road trip Sunday night against the Los Angeles Lakers. Though rumors were consistent that Frank would be getting fired it was assumed that he would coach the game against the Lakers and that the dismissal would come once the team got back home.

Ironically Frank’s coaching career with New Jersey started and ended with streaks; just the opposite kind. He won his first 13 straight games after taking over for Byron Scott in the 2003-2004 season; and would end his tenure with the 16 game losing streak. Another bit of irony is that Frank has now been the second NBA coach that has been fired this season. The first coach terminated was the man that Frank replaced as the New Orleans Hornets fired Byron Scott earlier this month.

There has been no word on who will replace Frank as the bench boss; however New York Vinnie believe it will be the team’s General Manager Kiki Vandeweghe.Vandeweghe has never coached before but he was the General Manager with the Denver Nuggets before being brought in house by New Jersey. Frank was in the last year of his contract with the Nets and had a record of 225-241 during his tenure.