As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of the
game being in constant change, conventional wisdom suggests that
players from different eras cannot be compared. However, I have
decided to defy those odds.
The Brooklyn Nets were established in 1967 as a charter franchise of
the NBA’s rival league, the ABA. They played in New Jersey as the
New Jersey Americans before relocating to Long Island, New York,
one year later to become the New York Nets. In 1977, the ABA and
NBA merged with the Nets joining along with the Denver Nuggets,
San Antonio Spurs and Indiana Pacers. The franchise returned to New
Jersey and became the New Jersey Nets. In 2012, the franchise moved
to Brooklyn, thus developing its current name.
The franchise has had its share of fallow seasons but the zenith was
winning ABA championships in 1974 and 1976 along with reaching
back-to-back NBA finals in 2002 and 2003, losing to the Los Angeles
Lakers and San Antonio Spurs respectively.
Today, I put together a Nets Dream Team. There are some rigid criteria
in making this team. First of all, the player needed to have played for
the Nets for a minimum of four seasons -- no exceptions. That means no
Julius Erving, who played just three seasons with the Nets. Since the free
agency era began 30 years ago, that standard needs to be in place. Two-
year rentals don’t make this list. This roster is all-encompassing from all
eras.
Personality or legal flaws are not a deterrent to making this team. This is
basketball, not the Boy Scouts. Being in the Hall of Fame is the first
consideration coupled with impact on the franchise. The number of All-
NBA seasons are a top consideration with longevity also helping
immensely. While I understand it is hard to compare eras, I’m not going
to convolute this discussion.
Generational reminders
Being on the Nets during a season of being a championship contender does
not get you a hall pass on this team. However, being on the Nets during a
bad season is no deterrent to getting a spot on this team. Winning or losing
eras, all high-level performers get considered.
To further the challenge, the modern game has evolved into positionless
basketball. The roster will comprise 15 players encompassing all eras. The
starting lineup will be position specific, after that it will be the best of the
rest with four years playing for the franchise being the first requirement.
So, if you want to make a case for a player being on the team, don’t just
tell me he should be there and why, tell me who you would remove. Before
you make a case to put someone on the list, ask yourself, “Who do I take
off the list at that position?”
Starting lineup
Point guard: Jason Kidd
Kidd has widely considered one of the best point guards ever to play in the
NBA. Kidd was the hub of the wheel that led the Nets to consecutive NBA
Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003 along with two more division titles
thereafter. Kidd’s ability to rebound and pass as well as score made him a
genuine threat to record a triple-double on any given night.
Kidd spent seven seasons with the Nets with seven All-Star appearances
with the Nets. Also on the way to a Hall of Fame career, Kidd was a six-time
All-NBA selection (five is a first-teamer). He was also a nine-time NBA All
Defensive choice (four as a first-team), he was the NBA Rookie of the Year
in 1995. Kidd led the NBA in assists five times. As a Net, he averaged 14.6
points, 7.2 rebounds, 9.1 assists and 1.9 steals.
Shooting guard: Vince Carter
Carter has three nicknames: “Air Canada,” “Vinsanity” and “Half Man/
Half Amazing.” Carter is the only player in NBA history to play 22
seasons and in four different decades. Carter is widely viewed as the
best dunker in NBA history. Though Carter played for eight different
teams, much of his prime was spent with the Nets.
Carter was an All-Star and four of his five seasons with the Nets and
helped the franchise won two division championships. Also during his
five seasons, Carter averaged 23.6 points per game, 5.8 rebounds, 4.7
assists and 1.2 steals. Carter is likely headed for a Hall of Fame induction.
Small forward: Richard Jefferson
Jefferson helped the Nets reach consecutive NBA championships in 2002
and 2003. While he did not earn any All-Star recognition during his
seven seasons, Jefferson was both a productive and popular player. He
also ranks in the top 10 in franchise history in several categories including
career scoring, career rebounding, career assists and free throws made.
Jefferson was a versatile player. He was NBA All-Rookie second team in
2002. During his time with the Nets, Jefferson averaged 17.4 points, 5.4
rebounds and 3.0 assists.
Power forward: Buck Williams
Williams is one of the most popular players in franchise history and was
also a highly productive and underrated player while being one of the best
power forwards in the 1980s. Williams is the Nets all-time leader in
rebounds, games played and free throws made. In his nine seasons with
the Nets, Williams only missed nine games.
All three of Williams’ All-Star seasons came with the Nets. He was All NBA
second team in 1983 and four-time NBA All Defensive (two as a first-teamer),
and was NBA Rookie of the Year in 1982. In a Nets’ uniform, Williams
averaged a double-double with 16.4 points and 11.9 rebounds per game.
Center: Brook Lopez
Lopez, who is now a Milwaukee Buck, is also one of the more underrated big
men of his generation. Lopez's time with the Nets overlaps both the New
Jersey and Brooklyn eras. Lopez played nine seasons with the franchise and
is the all-time leader in points scored as well as blocked shots. He is also
among the franchise leaders and rebounding and games played.
Lopez's lone All Star season was 2013 and he was NBA All-Rookie first team
in 2009. During his time with the nest, Lopez averaged 18.6 points and 7.1
rebounds along with 1.7 block shots per game.
Bench (alphabetical order)
Kenny Anderson:
Anderson was the No. 2 overall pick in the 1991 draft and while he never
lived up to the value of the pick he did enjoy five productive seasons with
the Nets. Anderson was like a magician with the ball in his hands. He ranks
among the franchise leaders in assists despite his limited time with the
franchise. Anderson was an NBA All-Star in 1994.
Otis Birdsong:
Birdsong spent seven seasons with the Nets after a four-year stint with the
Kansas City Kings. Birdsong’s best season was 1984 when he earned an
All-Star berth. During his time with the Nets, Birdsong averaged 15.9
points and 3.6 assists along with 1.1 steals.
Derrick Coleman:
Coleman was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1990 draft, similar to Anderson,
while he never lived up to the value of the pick, Coleman had five
productive seasons with the Nets. Coleman ranks among the franchise
leaders in scoring rebounding and blocked shots. Coleman was Rookie of
the Year in 1991 and an NBA All-Star in 1994. In a Nets uniform, he
averaged a double-double with 19.9 points and 10.6 rebounds per game.
Kerry Kittles:
Kittles spent seven of his eight NBA seasons with the Nets. He was an
underrated but key figure in the franchise reaching consecutive NBA Finals
in 2002 and 2003. Kittles was also a versatile score whether it was hitting
from long-range or attacking the basket. He is among the franchise leader
in points scored and steals along with games played. And three-point shots.
He was also an underrated defensive player. Kittles was NBA All-Rookie
second team in 1997 and averaged 14.1 points per game in his career.
Kenyon Martin:
Like Kittles, Martin was a vital piece in the franchise reaching consecutive
NBA championships in 2002 and 2003. Martin is known most for his time
as a Denver Nugget but he also had four productive seasons with the Nets.
He was NBA All-Rookie first team in 2001 and an All-Star in 2004. In a
Nets uniform, Martin averaged 15.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocked
shots per game.
Bill Melchionni:
Melchionni played seven seasons with the Nets and helped them win two
ABA championships in 1974 and 1976. Melchionni was also a three-time
ABA All-Star and led the ABA in assists three times. He was All ABA first
team in 1972. In a Nets uniform, Melchionni averaged 12.4 points and 6.1
assists per game.
Billy Paultz:
Paultz was a versatile player who could play both power forward and center.
He did not necessarily have one specific strength but did a lot of things pretty
well. Paultz helped the Nets win an ABA championship in 1974. Paultz was
a three-time All-Star and member of the ABA All-time team. In a Nets
uniform, he averaged a double-double with 15.6 points and 11.2 rebounds
per game.
Keith Van Horn:
Van Horn was the No. 2 overall pick in the 1997 draft and while he did not live
up to the value of the pick, his first five seasons in the NBA we're his best with
the Nets. Van Horn played for four other teams. He was NBA All-Rookie first
team in 1998 and though he never learned any All-Star recognition, as a Net,
he averaged 18.2 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.
Deron Williams:
Williams is best known for his career with the Utah Jazz but two of his four
career All-Star appearances came as a member of the Nets. During his five
years with New Jersey, Williams averaged 16.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 7.5
assists per game.
John Williamson:
Williamson's time with the Nets was only four years but was quite impactful
nonetheless. Williamson played a key role in the Nets winning two ABA
championships in the 1970s. Williamson was ABA All Rookie first team in
1974 in a Nets uniform; he averaged 17.8 points per game.
Head coach: Byron Scott
Scott is best known for his role in helping the Los Angeles Lakers win
championships in the 1980s as a player. As a coach, however, Scott has a
checkered history in coaching five different teams. Nonetheless, Scott led
the Nets for their first division championship in franchise history in 2002 as
well as back-to-back NBA Finals appearances. Scott led the Nets to 149
regular-season wins and 25 more in the playoffs.
Team: 1973-1974
The Nets of this ilk edged out the 1975-1976 version that won the ABA
Championship. The Nets were led by the threesome of Julius Erving, Larry
Kenon and Billy Paultz. The Nets lost just two games in the postseason,
easily dispatching the Virginia Squires, Kentucky Colonels and Utah Stars
on the way to winning an ABA championship.
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