Lawrence Frank has yet to win a playoff game, but he has already won over his players and bosses.
Three Nets sources said that the interim coach will have that tag dropped next season, no matter how the Nets do in the playoffs. One source said Nets CEO Rod Thorn is expected to negotiate a new deal and extension for Frank after the playoffs.

Frank replaced Byron Scott as coach on Jan.26, with the Nets holding an option to bring him back for next season. Thorn has until June 30 to exercise that option.

"As I said before, that will take care of itself," Thorn said yesterday. "At this time I'm only thinking of the playoffs, not worried about anything else. I think that is how he looks at it too."

"Everybody wants to see him back," Nets' leader Kidd added. "His record is unbelievable, what he has accomplished, winning 13 in a row as a head coach - his debut. Anybody would dream of that situation to come true. It shows how good he really is."