Nets in mourning

NEW YORK CITY — After two consecutive Finals finishes, the New Jersey Nets appear to be nowhere close to reaching the Promised Land in the National Basketball Association (NBA) this season.

Ironically, coach Byron Scott has been assured by Nets president Rod Thorn his job isn’t in jeopardy. But the former Los Angeles Lakers guard must be wondering if Thorn is just playing mind games. Remember that Scott’s contract wasn’t extended at the end of last season–something you would’ve expected considering he took the Nets to back-to-back Finals. Scott’s contract ends after this campaign and from all indications, it doesn’t look like he’ll be back.

In fact, Scott was almost sacked after his pathetic showing in the Nets’ six-game loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the Finals last June. Scott was clueless in trying to figure out a way to attack Spurs coach Gregg Popovich’s stifling 3-2 zone and wound up licking his wounds like a lame dog.

Star guard Jason Kidd threatened to leave the Nets unless Thorn did something dramatic to take the team to the next level. There was talk that Kidd asked for Scott’s head on a platter. But Thorn eventually appeased Kidd, signing him to a six-year $103 Million renewal and recruiting seven-time All-Star Alonzo Mourning to take over Dikembe Mutombo’s spot at center. Scott’s job was saved in the process.

Taking in Mourning at such a high price was a big gamble considering he didn’t play last season because of a kidney problem. But Mourning’s nephrologist Dr. Gerald Appel cleared him to play this year, paving the way for his big leap to New Jersey. To get rid of Mutombo whose contract hadn’t expired, Thorn paid out $27 Million. Then, he inked Mourning to a guaranteed four-year $23 Million deal.

As it turned out, Thorn blundered on both moves. Mourning, 33, was a bust and after 12 games, announced his retirement from the game last week. He averaged eight points, 2.3 rebounds and only 17.9 minutes as the Nets got off to a lowly 5-7 start. Dr. Appel advised Mourning to hang up his sneakers because of progressive renal failure called glomerulosclerosis. Big Zo’s life is not in immediate danger although he will require a kidney transplant in the next few months or else undergo continuous dialysis.

Former San Antonio cager Sean Elliott was in a similar situation and got a kidney from younger brother Noel in a 1999 transplant operation. Elliott returned to action seven months later but was never the same again.

To make matters worse for Thorn, Mutombo isn’t playing badly for the New York Knicks who rescued him from limbo. Deke is averaging 5.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocked shots and 22.8 minutes for the Knicks. In New York’s 94-88 win over Boston last Nov. 24, Mutombo compiled 13 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots as a starter–numbers that surely added a few more wrinkles on Thorn’s face.

Mourning’s retirement came five days after he nearly scuffled with teammate Kenyon Martin at practice. The incident was an indication that things aren’t right in the Nets backyard. The altercation was triggered by Martin and Richard Jefferson laughing at the end of a team sprint where Mourning finished last. Mourning admonished Martin and Jefferson for their lack of professionalism. Jefferson needled Mourning for coming in last and Martin heckled him for his recent lackluster showing in games. Martin also poked fun at Mourning constantly blaming his kidney condition for a poor start this year. Cooler heads prevented fisticuffs.

Now, the Nets are stuck with paying Mourning the full amount of his contract. Kidd is obviously unhappy because his decision to stay in New Jersey was predicated on Thorn acquiring Mourning. The presumption was the final piece in the Nets puzzle to win the championship was a respectable big man. "Zo felt like he had let me down because we didn’t do what we set out to do," moaned Kidd in the New York Daily News.

Scott isn’t optimistic about the future. "Our foundation is a little shaky," said Scott, quoted by Colin Stephenson of the New Jersey Star Ledger. "We’re not doing all the things that we used to do."

If there’s anyone in line to lose his job in the Nets organization, it’s Thorn. The Nets are not on course to make it to a third Finals this year. Far from it. Thorn’s decisions to dump Mutombo and sign up Mourning were completely out of whack. He’s blown $50 Million on two centers who aren’t even playing for the Nets. And guess what? The Nets are still looking for a center.