Jerry Colangelo a candidate to replace Rod Thorn in New Jersey

[Griffin]

Nets president Rod Thorn is reportedly retiring and the Nets are planning on replacing him with Jerry Colangelo.

The Nets already have undergone a major facelift this offseason with a new owner and coach. They will be looking for a new president, too.
Rod Thorn is retiring, according to sources close to the team.

Thorn, 69, has been in charge of the Nets’ basketball department since 2000. His current contract expires June 30, but he has yet to sign a new deal. Thorn has been telling people close to him, “I’m here until I’m not here.” A source said, Thorn told some staffers he is leaving in the next few weeks.

Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov wants Thorn back. But Thorn will help the Nets through the free-agent process, which starts next week, but won’t be around much longer.

“I have no comment,” Thorn said.

Former Suns chairman and current USA basketball director Jerry Colangelo is the leading candidate to replace Thorn, who will be involved in picking his successor.
Prokhorov wants a big name and likes the job Colangelo did with the U.S. Men’s Olympic team. Colangelo also has relationships with the top free agents in the upcoming class, which could help the Nets in recruiting them as well as ease the transition from Thorn’s reign.

A league source said Colangelo will be offered a three-year deal for roughly $12 million to $15 million.

But Thorn will lead the Nets through the start of free agency, which includes a major sales pitch to LeBron James. Seeing the Nets through this will be Thorn’s last act as team president.

“It will play out very quickly,” a source said.

http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/inthezzone/comments/colangelo_leading_candidate_for_thorns_job/

 

[carey]

Holy ****. Did not see that coming.

 

[slinslin]

Come on Jerry you can sign and trade Favors/Williams for Amare, no problem!

 

[Irish]

Is every "rumor" out of the New York area rubbish? Has JC spent the entire $400 million he got for the Suns and thus NEEDS the money?

It may be true that Thorn would like JC, but why would a guy focused on getting out of being a GM over a decade ago want the headache?

 

[Tyler]

I will shower naked online at UStream if JC ever becomes a GM again,

On a side note, why cant we find another GM that loves this team he purchases the majority??

 

[mojorizen7]

(sigh)

 

[cly2tw]

That'd be perfect situation for my idea of building the NJ Suns in one stroke!

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/f7/swapping-rosters-with-nj-153953.html

 

[az jam]

JC will graciously turn it down. He has all the money he needs and enjoys his work as the USA basketball team director. He has also said that he would never work for anyone again.

 

[SunsTzu]

He has also said that he would never work for anyone again.

No he didn't. Just a few months ago he expressed interest in running a team but said he would only do so if given complete autonomy.

Is every "rumor" out of the New York area rubbish? Has JC spent the entire $400 million he got for the Suns and thus NEEDS the money?

I doubt he needs the money but he was only the head of the ownership group that sold the Suns and didn't pocket anywhere near that much.

 

[Mainstreet]

JC has never gotten basketball out of his blood since he left the Suns. It wouldn't surprise me he might want the challenge to turn the Nets around. He loves being around basketball.

 

[TBaslim]

This would be a surprise, but not cause Jerry would be involved with bball. I always figured he would stay involved in the league (like with USA Basketball), but figured it would be in the league offices in NY at some point. Maybe even commissioner some day if Stern decided to call it quits.

Working for the Russian gazillonare in NJ, then Brooklyn? That's interesting and unexpected.

Conspiracy Theory: JC has always been tied in closely with the power brokers who run the NBA - he was Chairman of the Board of Governors for awhile, IIRC, which is an elected post (by the other owners).

I wonder if they are a little nervous about the new Russian dude that folks know so little about, and want Jerry there to make sure the team runs smoothly and the new guy learns how to behave in the American sports business. Especially if the Russian guy and JayZ convince LeBron to sign there.

In 3 years that puts LeBron in Brooklyn, next to the media capital of the world, with more money and temptation and possible trouble floating around then anyone will know what to do with. A steady hand in that environment would certainly be in the league's best interest.

 

[Covert Rain]

I did see this coming. JC has expressed returning to basketball. What I can't fathom is him having a hand in another team. I would do anything to trade Sarver for Jerry at this point. There has to be some sign and trade that will work.

 

[Mainstreet]

I did see this coming. JC has expressed returning to basketball. What I can't fathom is him having a hand in another team. I would do anything to trade Sarver for Jerry at this point. There has to be some sign and trade that will work.

I so agree.

 

[Bufalay]

If this is true then it puts to rest all those rumors about the Nets having a desire to win a championship.

 

[Mainstreet]

If this is true then it puts to rest all those rumors about the Nets having a desire to win a championship.

Remember JC is the one that bought the Diamondbacks a championship with the acquisition of Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling. JC would have bought the Suns a championship before he retired if the CBA had allowed. The rules changed on him.

 

[BC867]

Remember JC is the one that bought the Diamondbacks a championship with the acquisition of Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling. JC would have bought the Suns a championship before he retired if the CBA had allowed. The rules changed on him.

As much as I resented Jerry's endless 50-and-fade approach for decades, I really believe that the D'backs championship made him realize how much it hurt that it wasn't the Suns.

I do believe that if he ever returns as a basketball GM (and especially having a short window age-wise), getting an NBA championship would have a whole new meaning for him.

In an ideal world, he'd have a second chance at doing it right here in Phoenix. But $arver $tands in the way. If not, as critical as I was of him as a GM (he was a great promoter), I would welcome Jerry back for that 2nd chance.

It could have been interesting. It's too bad that won't happen. Or, could it? Hmmm!

 

[Mainstreet]

As much as I resented Jerry's endless 50-and-fade approach for decades, I really believe that the D'backs championship made him realize how much it hurt that it wasn't the Suns.

I do believe that if he ever returns as a basketball GM (and especially having a short window age-wise), getting an NBA championship would have a whole new meaning for him.

In an ideal world, he'd have a second chance at doing it right here in Phoenix. But $arver $tands in the way. If not, as critical as I was of him as a GM (he was a great promoter), I would welcome Jerry back for that 2nd chance.

It could have been interesting. It's too bad that won't happen. Or, could it? Hmmm!

Good post. If only time and circumstance would give JC a second chance with the Suns.

 

[az jam]

Colangelo is interested in Nets job

By Ian O'Connor
ESPNNewYork.com
Archive
Jerry Colangelo will listen to New Jersey Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov about replacing Rod Thorn as team president if Prokhorov chooses to reach out to him, Colangelo said in a phone interview Sunday.

"If I did get a call I'd certainly take the call," the head of USA Basketball said. "I still think I have some juice left. I don't need to do anything, and I'm not seeking anything, but if the right situation presented itself and met my criteria, I would listen."

Colangelo repeated his contention in a CBSSports.com report that he'd had no contact with Prokhorov or any Nets officials to date. But with Thorn set to retire on July 15, and with the Russian billionaire said to be enamored of Colangelo's gold-medal showing in Beijing, the former owner of the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks is favored to be a candidate for Thorn's job.

"I've been following the Nets' situation for a long time, just from my years in the NBA," Colangelo said of the move to Newark and scheduled move to Brooklyn. "It's been an ongoing saga, and at some point they've got to get to the finish line. There are all kinds of hills to climb, and they've been hemorrhaging for years, but there's no reason all of that can't work itself out so the Nets can turn into a very successful franchise very soon."

With a World Series title, Olympic gold medal and Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame induction already on his resume, the 70-year-old Colangelo wants one last shot at the NBA title that eluded him in Phoenix.

"We got to the Finals twice with the Suns," he said, "but never got the ring. That's the one thing that's still out there for me."

Colangelo was a candidate for the Knicks' presidency before Donnie Walsh was named to the position. Colangelo said in the early Eighties, before he bought the Suns, Madison Square Garden boss Sonny Werblin met him in the Waldorf-Astoria and offered him control of the Knicks and Rangers.

"The timing wasn't right for me," Colangelo said, "but I've always loved the New York area."

Colangelo was first linked to the Nets over the winter, when Prokhorov was preparing to complete his purchase of the team from Bruce Ratner. Colangelo and Thorn came across each other over All-Star weekend in Dallas, and their exchange was described by one source as awkward, and by another as heated.

"I didn't think it was awkward," Colangelo said, "because I thought our relationship was strong enough to deal with the situation. I wasn't behind any of that. I felt badly my name was mentioned, and I told Rod I wasn't soliciting his job and that I had no idea where it all came from in the first place.

"My relationship with Rod goes way back, and I have great respect for him. I think he's done a terrific job with the Nets, with a lot of adversity to deal with. Again, I've had zero contact with the Nets. It's total speculation. All I've said is that if some team did call me, I'd certainly take that call."

 

[chickenhead]

What I would give to have JC and BC back with the Suns. But any change is fantasy unless Sarver & Co. are interested in selling.

 

[BC867]

What I would give to have JC and BC back with the Suns. But any change is fantasy unless Sarver & Co. are interested in selling.

Bryan was clearly more owner's son and less GM for most of his time with the Suns.

I'm sure he's gained much experience on his own.

I don't think he'd be on his own if he were, once again, the Phoenix Son under Jerry.

 

[Irish]

For whatever it is worth, JC was born November 20, 1939.