76ers boss has seen it all before

A change in ownership also probably led to Kenyon Martin getting away, and Martin was never replaced, Thorn said. That was the probably the biggest reason, he said, for the Nets' slide toward their current position, where they had the worst record in the league last season.

Drastic changes?

What does any of this mean for the Sixers? Thorn made it clear that he has opinions about Sixers players, but opinions from afar aren't always accurate, he said.

"I like some of the pieces we have here," Thorn said. "I think we have nice depth on the team. I think we've got some pieces, particularly the wing-type players, that are good players. I think obviously with us we need our fours and fives to come through for us."

Is Thorn promising dramatic changes with the Sixers? He can't do that, obviously.

"We're a capped team. We're over the [salary] cap," Thorn said, so any big deals would have to be trades.

Thorn has never had a problem pulling the trigger on deals, large or small.

"Ascertain exactly what you have, see what you need, and try to get it," Thorn said. "I think in a period of time, we'll know what we need and attempt to go get it. You can't always get what you want, but if you understand what you need, you have a much better chance of being successful."

Contact staff writer Mike Jensen at 215-854-4489 or mjensen@phillynews.com.