From Long Island, to New Jersey, to Barclays, the Brooklyn Nets have enjoyed an illustrious ABA/NBA history. Who’s their all-time five?
By Nick Amadruto
Despite these appearances, a season-by-season realization that low seeds in the East have virtually no shot is a very real one. Additionally, the Nets have made some rather questionable moves recently. One, for example, was trading for both Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Another surrounds the departure of of star point guard Deron Williams.
[mc4wp_form id=”11262″]Their career franchise mark stands at 1,713-2,181. While this looks bad, they have been around since 1967, and recently have have made the conscience move to become younger and better. While admittedly there have been ups and downs, the Nets as a whole haven’t been that bad. With the 24th pick this year the Nets got the best available player in Chris McCullough out of Syracuse. So the future looks very bright for this young Nets squad.
With that said, let’s get on to our all time Nets starting five:
Honorable mentions:
- Deron Williams
- Vince Carter
- Richard Jefferson
- Darryl Dawkins
- Billy Paultz
Jason Kidd, Point Guard
Nets great Jason Kidd possesses every Nets point guard record aside from made threes in a season (which is held by former point guard Deron Williams). He is a first ballot Hall of Famer for sure, and played the role of leader with the best Nets teams in history
He played around Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson and Alonzo Mourning. As their coach sadly he didn’t do so well, barely making the playoffs and leaving on bad terms, but let’s not forget the guy had 12,091 assists (which, if you’re wondering is top three in NBA history) and he had 17,529 points with the Nets – the Nets PG record.
For those very few who’d consider Stephon Marbury to be the point guard for this squad, if you don’t have Jason Kidd in your Nets starting-five of all-time then you should have your head examined.
Drazen Petrovic, Shooting Guard
Sadly, Drazen died at the tender age of 28 in a fatal car accident during the same exact time he was just starting to make a name for himself as a three point shooter in the NBA with the New Jersey Nets.
The man averaged a whopping 51.7 field goal percentage and a 43.7 three point percentage in his three years with the organization. He averaged 16.7 points in 1992 and had he stayed alive and played his entire career, he could’ve ended up top-five three point shooters of all time.
While a stretch, all Nets fans would’ve loved to see him and Jason Kidd play together. That would’ve been special. Drazen also has quite the resume outside of the NBA as well, having two silver medals and one bronze for his efforts in Olympic basketball.
In 2002 he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame and was voted the best European player in history by his peers. His No. 3 jersey was retired by the Nets in 2003. The only other player at this position that someone could make a debate for is Vince Carter. Still though, Drazen Petrovic was the best shooting guard in Nets history.
Julius Erving, Small Forward
Julius Erving didn’t play his entire Hall of Fame career with the Nets, but he did start it off in Long Island with the franchise. He revolutionized the “slam dunk” in basketball, and wasn’t nearly as big of a deal before he started the “double clutch” dunk.
Although he played just three years with the Nets, he established them as a force to recon with in the ABA. Bringing the Nets to two straight ABA finals and winning one against the Utah Stars. He has won an NBA championship, an ABA championship, multiple dunk contests, an NBA MVP, 11 time NBA All-Star, as well as a five time NBA first-teamer.
He has one of the best resumes in basketball history, not just Nets history. That’s why there is no question he’s the best small forward in Nets history. Not to mention making the case as the best No. 3 man in NBA history.
Buck Williams, Power Forward
Of all the things he accomplished, there’s one side-note that sticks out with Buck Williams. He was one of the first players in his era to wear protective goggles.
The big guy averaged 11,7 rebounds and 16.7 points per game in 1983 which landed him on the All-Star team. He accumulated 16,784 total points and 13,017 total rebounds which averages out to 12.6 career PPG (points per game) and 10.0 RPG (rebounds per game), which means he averaged a career double double.
He is a three-time NBA All-Star, NBA Rookie of the Year, and a two-time NBA All Defensive first-team player. His No. 52 was retired by the Nets in 2005. Averaging a career double double, how could this guy not be on your all-time Nets team?
Brook Lopez, Center
Brook Lopez is the only player in this starting five that has played his entire career with the Nets. In 2013 he averaged 19 points and seven rebounds per game, which that landed him on the NBA All-Star team.
The only thing keeping his career stats so low is how injury prone he’s been. His career stats currently stand at 13.6 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. He splashed onto the scene quickly as Rookie of the Year in 2009.
Some could make the argument for Billy Paultz instead of Lopez, but Lopez’s career isn’t even close to being over and has showed immense promise the last few seasons. He’ll remain a huge part of the Nets organization which is the final piece to the puzzle for why he is my starting center on this all time Nets Squad.