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TRENTON, June 24 (AP) — Fritz Massmann, who was the head trainer for the New Jersey Nets for more than 20 years and was with the team during its heyday in the American Basketball Association, died Sunday at his home in Babylon Village, N.Y. He was 80.

His death was announced by Jim Lampariello, the team’s former executive vice president. Before starting a 22-year tenure with the Nets in 1970, Massmann was a trainer at the collegiate level for nearly 20 years. He was inducted into the National Athletic Trainers Association’s Hall of Fame in 1984 and held leadership positions with the organization for several years.

The Nets, then known as the New York Nets, won A.B.A. championships in 1974 and 1976. The locker room at Continental Arena, where the team has played its home games since 1981, was later named in Massmann’s honor, said Gary Sussman, a team spokesman.

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Florida State forward Al Thornton, who is considered a serious candidate by the 76ers if they don't trade their No. 12 pick in Thursday's NBA draft, will be in today for a predraft workout.

Thornton was supposed to work out last Monday, but he postponed the visit after spraining an ankle.

He had been scheduled to work out with the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, but he postponed that visit until tomorrow. The Bucks have the No. 6 pick.

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TRENTON, N.J. (AP) _ Byron M. Baer, a longtime proponent of open government and a champion of the underdog who served in the New Jersey Legislature for more than three decades, died Sunday. He was 77.

Baer, a Democrat who represented Bergen County, died from complications from congestive heart failure at the Lillian Booth Actor's Fund of America home in Englewood, his wife, Linda, said.

Baer served 11 terms in the Assembly from 1972-1994 and then was elected to four terms in the Senate before his declining health forced him to resign in September 2005, midway through his final term. He held numerous leadership positions in both houses.

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TRENTON, N.J. (AP)—Byron M. Baer, a longtime proponent of open government and a champion of the underdog who served in the New Jersey Legislature for more than three decades, died Sunday. He was 77.

Baer, a Democrat who represented Bergen County, died from complications from congestive heart failure at the Lillian Booth Actor's Fund of America home in Englewood, his wife, Linda, said.

Baer served 11 terms in the Assembly from 1972-1994 and then was elected to four terms in the Senate before his declining health forced him to resign in September 2005, midway through his final term. He held numerous leadership positions in both houses.

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