| 24 September 2010
The New York Americans. The New Jersey Americans. The New York Nets. The New Jersey Nets. One of the relatively successful teams in the ABA, the same cannot be said of their time in the NBA. However, with the new owner - Russian Billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov - perhaps success is just around the corner...
Anyway, the top players for the New Jersey N(y)ets!
5. Dražen Petrović - Dražen Petrović's career was sadly cut short on June 7th, 1993 - but at that time he was beginning to establish himself as one of the best pure shooters in the league. He was hitting 51.8% from the field and hitting 45% of his 3-point attempts. The impact he had on the influx of foreign players to the NBA is undeniable.
4. Richard Francis Dennis Barry III - Rick Barry only played at the Nets for two years, but he averaged 30.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in those two years - two of his best.
3. Charles Linwood Williams - Buck Williams established himself as one of the pre-eminent power forwards of his day. The Nets all time leader in total points, total rebounds, rebounds per game, and free throws made, his number 52 was retired by the Nets.
2. Jason Frederick Kidd - can anyone still playing today rack up a triple double like Jason Kidd could? A phenomenal talent, J-Kidd had the rare ability to raise the level of those around him, and make the team he was on more than simply a sum of it's parts.
His presence on the Nets turned them from mediocre to a title contender.
His presence on the Nets turned them from mediocre to a title contender.
1. Julius Winfield Erving II - It's amazing to have Dr J here, as he only played for the then New York Nets for three years... however, those three were amongst his best ever, and he lead the Nets to 2 ABA titles in 3 years - winning 3 MVP trophies along the way.
One of the first players to truly play above the rim in the way we know today, Dr. J was one of the best practioners of what Chick Hearn called "the slam dunk".
Julius Erving stands out as one of the best of all time, and his best years? As a Net.
One of the first players to truly play above the rim in the way we know today, Dr. J was one of the best practioners of what Chick Hearn called "the slam dunk".
Julius Erving stands out as one of the best of all time, and his best years? As a Net.
Next on the menu: The New Orleans Hornets!
