By Madhuri Dey
Nov. 30, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Coach Lawrence Frank was fired by the New Jersey Nets following an almost record loss of the team. The New Jersey Nets have set a record of 0-16 losses, only one loss away from matching the record for the worst loss in the history of the National Basketball Association. The record for the most number of consecutive losses was set by the expansion Miami Heat in 1988-89, a feat matched by the Los Angeles Clippers. Obviously, the New Jersey team has no wish to break the record, and have apparently made a decision that seemed the best, especially keeping in mind that they have come dangerously close to setting a new milestone.

The monstrous loss does come as somewhat of a surprise from the coach who made a brilliant start with the team. In the beginning of his career as a coach with the New Jersey Nets, the team had scored 13 straight wins, thus setting a record for any first time coach. Frank had been with the team for over a decade now. The decision of the team has been forthcoming for quite some time now, considering the below average performance of the players. For the time being, Tom Barisse has been appointed as the coach. The Nets will decide on a replacement for Lawrence after the next four games.

The center for the team, Brook Lopez, admitted that choosing to replace Frank had been a tough decision as he was admittedly on of the hardest workers in the team. The president of the team, Rod Thorn, thanked the former coach for the dedication and passion that he brought to the game. Barisse, confessed that it was tough for him to be separated from a friend of 10 years.