Not Sure How I missed the Lawrence Frank-Nenad Connection: But I Did

[Neurotic Guy]

I guess I wasn't able to read as diligently as I normally do after the Perk trade.  And I guess I just never put 2 and 2 together -- Nenad and Lawrence Frank both from the Nets organization.  But, it wasn't until the broadcast last night that I became aware that Frank Coached Kristic in NJ (for 4 seasons).

Isn't that a huge plus in the 'why trade Perk for Kristic/Green' rationalization party?  I mean Frank must have been consulted about this and and must have given DA/Doc some reason to be assured that Kristic would be able to provide not only offense but perhaps equal rebounding and energy -- and could possibly play some adequate team D on this team -- somewhat mitigating the loss of Perk's biggest strength.

Perhaps this has been discussed ad nauseum, but I've missed it.

[ScoobyDoo]

TP...

Great point - I also knew that Nenad played in Jersey and was actually pretty good while there. I also, obviously, knew that Frank coached in Jersey for quite some time...

But, like you, hadn't put Nenad / Frank together until you mentioned it.

This is a very important point you've brought up. Lawrence Frank has long term and very inside information on:

1. What Kirstic is like as a player
2. How hard he works
3. How intelligent he is in terms of basketball
4. What his strengths & weaknesses will be realtive to Boston's offesnive and defesnive schemes
5. What kind of person he is and what kind of locker room guy he is and how he would likely fit in with the guys on and off the court...

Great, great point you've raised. This fact answers alot of what would otherwise be pre trade unknowns.

If Frank knows that Kirstic will at least work very hard as a seven footer and be a great locker room guy, half the battle is already won.

If I'm not mistaken, doesn't Doc Rivers also know Jeff Green quite well perosnally. Wasn't Green a good friend of the family or friends with his son Austin?

I recall Doc saying at the time of the Ray Allen trade that involved Jeff Green with the 5th, that Doc said Seattle had received one helluva a player and person in Green because he'd seen the kid grow up or something.   

[BudweiserCeltic]

You missed it because you're not following my posts closely. Which is a shame since I'm full of insightful gems :p

[rutzan]

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=45004.0

Krstic - Frank

how about a tommy point...

lol...

i do agree wholeheartedly...

[ScoobyDoo]

TP as well them to Bud Celt

Then I'm going to keep my eye on your posts from now on...


That's a very important piece, very imortant indeed.

[ScoobyDoo]

I'm in....TP for Rutzan please.

[Surferdad]

TP...

Great point - I also knew that Nenad played in Jersey and was actually pretty good while there. I also, obviously, knew that Frank coached in Jersey for quite some time...

But, like you, hadn't put Nenad / Frank together until you mentioned it.

This is a very important point you've brought up. Lawrence Frank has long term and very inside information on:

1. What Kirstic is like as a player
2. How hard he works
3. How intelligent he is in terms of basketball
4. What his strengths & weaknesses will be realtive to Boston's offesnive and defesnive schemes
5. What kind of person he is and what kind of locker room guy he is and how he would likely fit in with the guys on and off the court...

Great, great point you've raised. This fact answers alot of what would otherwise be pre trade unknowns.

If Frank knows that Kirstic will at least work very hard as a seven footer and be a great locker room guy, half the battle is already won.

If I'm not mistaken, doesn't Doc Rivers also know Jeff Green quite well perosnally. Wasn't Green a good friend of the family or friends with his son Austin?

I recall Doc saying at the time of the Ray Allen trade that involved Jeff Green with the 5th, that Doc said Seattle had received one helluva a player and person in Green because he'd seen the kid grow up or something.   

I think Jeff Green to Georgetown so Doc saw him often since his son Jeremiah was there.

[rutzan]

tks for the tp...

as much as i loved perk as much as anyone else...

and...

it may be too early to jump on the bandwagon after just one jump...

in retrospect...

i think we will look back at this trade as a great trade...

for a lot of reasons...

it will help us now...

and...

it will help us in the future...

i think at some point DA will get acknowledged as a genius and innovator...

when we look back at his body of work...

drafts, trades, stockpiling assets, etc...

but...

most importantly...

the guts to pull it all off

ala...

that guy named Bill down the road...

[wiley]

Pretty sure the identical trade would have gone down were Thibs still the assistant......Even so, I like this thread

[Neurotic Guy]

THanks for the TP Scooby, and sorry I missed the others who had previously discussed this.  I knew I must have missed discussion on this topic as it's an obvious connection.

Wiley -- you may be correct that this trade goes down even in the absense of Frank, but I think it gives some immediate credibility to the trade when the assistant coach who took over Thibs' role had coached the 7-footer for 4 seasons.

Kristic has career highs of 16 ppg and nearly 7 rebound per game in 32 minutes (Perk's highs are 10 ppg and 7.6 rebounds in 27 minutes).

Nenad also had an ACL tear repaired a few years ago and had a littel struggle returning to form.

Frank must have signed on to this and must have provided input as to Nenad's work ethic and capabilities.


 

[wiley]

THanks for the TP Scooby, and sorry I missed the others who had previously discussed this.  I knew I must have missed discussion on this topic as it's an obvious connection.

Wiley -- you may be correct that this trade goes down even in the absense of Frank, but I think it gives some immediate credibility to the trade when the assistant coach who took over Thibs' role had coached the 7-footer for 4 seasons.

Kristic has career highs of 16 ppg and nearly 7 rebound per game in 32 minutes (Perk's highs are 10 ppg and 7.6 rebounds in 27 minutes).

Nenad also had an ACL tear repaired a few years ago and had a littel struggle returning to form.

Frank must have signed on to this and must have provided input as to Nenad's work ethic and capabilities.


  

Yes, I'm sure he helped with regards to Kristic's intangibles, quirks, habits and potential under this or that system, playing environment.....whether or not any particular negatives can be lived with or not, etc.... The deal was about Green, but I agree that if Kristic was a dud the deal wouldn't have happened....  So Frank probably assured everyone he wasn't a dud.... I think everyone knew how good he was pre-injury, but Frank probably helped anyalyze the post-injury package....

edit:  I hadn't thought of the connection either and didn't see any other threads about it....I still think it would have happened regardless of Frank being here, but it's interesting nonetheless and certainly helped or at least eased many minds during what Ainge called an "agonizing" process....

[jdub1660]

I remember 2 things of Kristic

1. him being to supposed big man corner piece next to JKidd back for the Nets

2. him throwing a chair after a "hissyfit" in a game against Greece this past summer lol