Nets Name Rod Thorn President

Rod Thorn, the NBA’s head of basketball operations, has been named president of the New Jersey Nets.

The announcement Friday ended a pursuit of Thorn by the Nets that began almost a year ago. Talks between Thorn and the Nets began in August and Thorn signed with the team in October, then backed out a few days later.

“Last year, the timing wasn’t right. This year, the timing is perfect,” Thorn said.

Thorn was an assistant coach with the Nets in their ABA glory days in the 1970s, then general manager of the Chicago Bulls before joining the league office.

Thorn’s duties with the NBA included schedules, officiating, game conduct and discipline.

The Nets have missed the playoffs the last two years and only have made it 10 times since joining the NBA in 1976-77.

“This franchise is not bereft of talent,” Thorn said. “There is a tremendous opportunity here to get better very quickly.”

Thorn also will get to pick the team’s new coach.

Don Casey was fired after the Nets finished their season at 31-51. Then president Michael Rowe, who had run the team since October 1995, resigned, and the team also started a search for a director of basketball operations, a new position.

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NBC’s Doug Collins will miss Sunday’s Laker-Portland game to attend his daughter Kelly’s graduation from Lehigh in Bethlehem, Pa. Bill Walton and Steve Jones will work with Bob Costas.