YOU MIGHT remember Eminem's movie "8 Mile,'' which was set in Detroit.

These days, New York director Spike Lee could craft one called "30 Miles'' in the Big Apple.

Lee's beloved Knicks just hired Mullens native Mike D'Antoni as their coach. And the New Jersey Nets are relying on president and Princeton native Rod Thorn.

It's 30 miles from midtown Manhattan to East Rutherford, N.J. It's 30 miles from Mullens to Princeton.

Kind of funny, really. All those hillbilly jokes. Then New York puts its NBA fortunes in the hands of two Mountain Staters. Guess we can make it there, huh?

Anyway, Thorn is ready to rebuild the faltering Nets, beginning June 26 with the NBA draft. He and special assistant Kiki Vandeweghe retained coach Lawrence Frank after a 34-48 record left the team 32 games behind Boston.

"This is a big draft for us," Thorn said in a Tuesday interview. "We had a poor year. We need depth. We need to get two players who we can develop.''

Thorn isn't used to losing. Now 67, he was an All-America selection at WVU and was the second player taken in the 1963 NBA draft. When he went into coaching, he was an assistant to Kevin Loughery when the Nets won the 1974 ABA title - led by Julius Erving. As a general manager for Chicago, he drafted a guy named Michael Jordan.

Perhaps forgotten by most, though, is Thorn was the head coach of an ABA team named the Spirits of St. Louis back in 1975. When he coached D'Antoni.

"I just had dinner with Mike last week,'' Thorn said. "He's thinking of buying a house in Rye, N.Y., where I live. I think he's going to do a great job [with the Knicks]. He's a good coach and a bright guy. Been a friend of mine for a long time."

The twist to this draft is Thorn may have a shot at a couple West Virginia players: WVU's Joe Alexander and Huntington High grad O.J. Mayo.

"Obviously, Alexander is going to be a first-round pick," Thorn said. "I haven't worked him out yet, but will Friday.''

Thorn, though, likes what he's seen and heard so far.

"[Alexander's] athleticism is electric," said the Nets president. "He can really get off the floor and he can run. He's an inexperienced player, but he seems to be a tough kid. All I know is every team that's worked him out likes him.''

The Nets have two first-round picks: No. 10 and No. 21.

"We've got to consider [Alexander at No. 10] with that skill set and competitive nature," Thorn said.

YOU MIGHT remember Eminem's movie "8 Mile,'' which was set in Detroit.

These days, New York director Spike Lee could craft one called "30 Miles'' in the Big Apple.

Starring two West Virginians.

Lee's beloved Knicks just hired Mullens native Mike D'Antoni as their coach. And the New Jersey Nets are relying on president and Princeton native Rod Thorn.

It's 30 miles from midtown Manhattan to East Rutherford, N.J. It's 30 miles from Mullens to Princeton.

Kind of funny, really. All those hillbilly jokes. Then New York puts its NBA fortunes in the hands of two Mountain Staters. Guess we can make it there, huh?

Anyway, Thorn is ready to rebuild the faltering Nets, beginning June 26 with the NBA draft. He and special assistant Kiki Vandeweghe retained coach Lawrence Frank after a 34-48 record left the team 32 games behind Boston.

"This is a big draft for us," Thorn said in a Tuesday interview. "We had a poor year. We need depth. We need to get two players who we can develop.''

Thorn isn't used to losing. Now 67, he was an All-America selection at WVU and was the second player taken in the 1963 NBA draft. When he went into coaching, he was an assistant to Kevin Loughery when the Nets won the 1974 ABA title - led by Julius Erving. As a general manager for Chicago, he drafted a guy named Michael Jordan.

Perhaps forgotten by most, though, is Thorn was the head coach of an ABA team named the Spirits of St. Louis back in 1975. When he coached D'Antoni.

"I just had dinner with Mike last week,'' Thorn said. "He's thinking of buying a house in Rye, N.Y., where I live. I think he's going to do a great job [with the Knicks]. He's a good coach and a bright guy. Been a friend of mine for a long time."

The twist to this draft is Thorn may have a shot at a couple West Virginia players: WVU's Joe Alexander and Huntington High grad O.J. Mayo.

"Obviously, Alexander is going to be a first-round pick," Thorn said. "I haven't worked him out yet, but will Friday.''

Thorn, though, likes what he's seen and heard so far.

"[Alexander's] athleticism is electric," said the Nets president. "He can really get off the floor and he can run. He's an inexperienced player, but he seems to be a tough kid. All I know is every team that's worked him out likes him.''

The Nets have two first-round picks: No. 10 and No. 21.

"We've got to consider [Alexander at No. 10] with that skill set and competitive nature," Thorn said.

The Nets have three fine wing players in Richard Jefferson, Vince Carter and Devin Harris. They have a decent center in Nenad Krstic, who had a fine start to his career before struggling this past season after an injury. They have former Connecticut standouts Josh Boone and Marcus Williams.

"We're looking for help on the front line and another shooter," Thorn said. "We just need talent. We're looking at the best players we can find.''

And he wouldn't mind landing Mayo.

"O.J. will go no worse than fifth," Thorn said. "He'll go between the second and fifth [overall picks]. Miami has worked him out. He's just a terrific all-around player. He's been a star since the sixth or seventh grade.''

Thorn has an interesting take on Mayo. He was asked if the former Highlander could be a star in the league.

"A lot of people think he can," Thorn said. "I think he has the potential. A lot are looking at him as a point guard. If he can be a point, he's got nice size at 6-21/2. If he's a [shooting guard], he's at the low end size-wise.''

Thorn restarted.

"I've never talked to [Mayo]. But what's impressed me is his personality. He carries himself well. He acts like a pro. He has so much confidence.

"He's not a great shooter or ball-handler, but he can get off the floor. He's not the quickest, but he's quick enough.

"He's just a basketball player. I know if he's there at No. 10, he won't get to No. 11.''

It will be interesting to see how the Nets handle this draft. Will they trade their first-round picks and move up? Thorn wasn't tipping his hand - much.

"I think it's a deep draft," he said. "I don't know about great players, but there are a lot of pretty good ones. You might get the same at No. 5 as No. 18.''

Read into that what you will. But one thing is certain: Thorn, the Princeton half of the Big Apple connection, isn't ready to slow down any time soon.

"At 67, I'm three years behind Jerry [West],'' he laughed. "But with my personality, I don't know what I'd do if I retired. I guess as long as somebody wants me, I'll keep going.''

While he waits for that call from Spike.

Reach sports editor Mitch Vingle at                    mitchvin...@wvgazette.com                     or 348-4827.