Nets Notes: Frank, Kidd, Garnett

A strange season in Brooklyn continued yesterday, as the team lost at home to the Nuggets by 24 points to fall to 5-13. Prior to the game, head coach Jason Kidd told reporters that top assistant Lawrence Frank had been “re-assigned” due to philosophical differences. While there had reportedly been some friction between the duo, the move still came as a shock, considering Frank signed a lucrative six-year deal this summer, and was viewed as an experienced right-hand man for Kidd, a first-time coach.

Here’s more on Frank’s demotion and a reeling Nets team:

• Sources told Marc Stein and Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com that the friction between Kidd and Frank began when Joe Prunty, rather than Frank, was chosen as the Nets’ interim coach for the first two games of the season. Frank appeared to be hurt by the decision, according to the ESPN report.
• Nets players tended to side with Kidd, and felt that Frank was overcoaching early in the season, team sources told Stein and Youngmisuk.
• According to the ESPN.com duo, Frank’s six-year contract is worth $1MM in years one and two, then increases to $1.65MM in the third and fourth seasons. The deal includes a position within the organization for the final two years.
• Speaking to Newsday’s Rod Boone, Kevin Garnett acknowledged that Frank’s re-assignment may not be the last of the team’s shake-ups, especially if the team keeps losing.
• Here’s Garnett on the Nets’ situation: “I’m sure management will do what they feel is best for this team and organization, and every guy here has to understand that, and that’s the business part of this. You have to expect that and you can’t think that that’s not going to happen or that it does not exist. That’s just the reality and part of the NBA and sports.”
• Despite all the drama in Brooklyn, the Nets remain the top pick to win the Atlantic Division, according to last night’s Hoops Rumors poll.