LOS ANGELES — The Lawrence Frank Era is over. The losing is a whole different matter.
Frank was fired as head coach yesterday, sparing him from being at the helm of the Nets’ 17th straight loss that tied the record for the worst start in NBA history. But the players, under interim coach Tom Barrise, couldn’t save themselves from being part of that fate as they were annihilated by the Lakers, 106-87, last night, ending their torturous Thanksgiving Week trip.
Unfortunately, the Nets’ season must go on. Last night they joined the 1988-89 inaugural-season Heat and the 1998-99 lockout-shortened season Clippers as the only teams to start 0-17. A new futility record could be awaiting in the Meadowlands Wednesday when the Mavericks and Jason Kidd visit.
“It was a tough day,” Barrise said as the Nets established a franchise record for losing streaks. “We’re struggling and you lose your coach at 10 o’clock in the morning [PST]. Guys are human. You lose a little bit of that focus.”
“We had flurries where we played hard, but this is a great basketball team. We have to be perfect, and they have to be a little imperfect for us to have a chance.”
The only way the Lakers, who got 30 points from Kobe Bryant and 20 from Pau Gasol, were imperfect was in trailing, 8-5. So they ripped off a 9-0 run, seven points by Bryant, as the Nets missed seven straight shots and tossed in a couple turnovers. It was 14-8, Lakers.
By halftime, the Lakers led 59-34. They led by 34 in the third and completely lost interest in the fourth.
“The one thing we can control is our effort,” said Devin Harris (16 points, 6 assists). “Offensively we were a little scattered and defensively we didn’t bring our best effort . . . We have to have better habits as a team, play better defense. If we don’t change the habits, it doesn’t matter who the coach is.”
Last night, Red Auerbach with John Wooden and Red Holzman as his assistants would not have helped matters. The Nets were inundated as they established a three-fold negative landmark: tied the worst start ever, established their worst losing streak ever and also finished their worst month ever, 0-of-14 for November.
There was an 0-10 April in 1999-2000 and 14 losses to end January in 1978 — but the Nets won the first game that month. Last night, this was a case, basically, where the ball went up and stinkage ensued.
“It was a rough situation as is without everything else,” said Brook Lopez, who had a good night with 26 points and 12 rebounds for his eighth double-double and third straight. “We had to make some adjustments. It doesn’t come down to plays or coaching. It was effort, or lack thereof. We didn’t have a presence at the beginning of the game. Or middle. Or end.”