All-Time Brooklyn Nets Mount Rushmore
Here are the four most iconic players in Nets franchise history, in our opinion of course.
The Nets franchise has been a New York basketball staple for the past 50 years. Starting as the ABA’s New Jersey Americans in 1967, they moved to Long Island and were renamed the New York Nets in 1968. Why Nets? It rhymes with Mets and Jets. Seriously. The franchise transitioned to the NBA in 1976 and moved back to New Jersey in 1977. In 2012, the franchise moved to Brooklyn, establishing essentially a new identity.
In the 50 years of Nets franchise history, several great players suited up for the team. Hall of Famers and Future Hall of Famers like Rick Barry, Nate Archibald and Kevin Garnett suited up for the Nets — but will most likely not be remembered for their Nets tenure. Still, the Nets have notable faces and franchise pillars. In the team’s boom period and their leanest years, the franchise has had players to rally around.
The Brooklyn Nets’ Mount Rushmore
Julius Erving (1973–1976)
Dr. J was a catalyst in the ABA success of the New York Nets. A Long Island native, Erving played in front of his home crowd at Nassau Coliseum during his Nets tenure. Erving was named ABA MVP in all three seasons with the Nets, averaging over 27 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals and nearly two blocks per game each season. He was an athletic freak, with fantastic length and great hands. Erving played above the rim with both grace and explosion.
Dr. J didn’t jump. He floated.
Erving was also ABA Finals MVP in the Nets’ two ABA Championship teams in 1974 and 1976. Not only did he represent the New York Nets, he represented the style and flair of the ABA as well, with a huge Afro and colorful play. Unfortunately, Erving’s tenure with the Nets was cut short. In order to afford entry into the NBA (thanks, Knicks), the Nets had to deal Erving’s contract to the Philadelphia 76ers.
While Erving never played an NBA game as a Net, his legacy still stands. Without Erving’s ABA brilliance, the Nets may not have even made it to the NBA. Let’s consider him a founding father.
Buck Williams ( 1981–1989)
Buck Williams defined consistency for the New Jersey Nets in the 1980’s. Drafted in 1981 with the third overall pick, Williams blossomed into a three-time All-Star and was named to an All NBA team in 1983. While never a 20+-point scorer, Williams was a consistent presence. He was a double-double machine, and is the franchise leader in rebounds by a wide margin. Williams snagged 7576 rebounds as a Net. Second on that list is Billy Paultz, who grabbed 4544. He helped the Nets make the playoffs five times in his eight seasons in the Meadowlands.
While Williams did not possess the flair of Julius Erving or Jason Kidd, he provided energy nonstop. Seemingly every game, Williams played with maximum effort — working the boards like a madman and unafraid to challenge bigger defenders in the paint. He only missed 20 games in his eight seasons as a Net, playing through bumps and bruises.
Williams was the Nets’ franchise-leading scorer for over 25 years. His double-double production in the playoffs signifies his solid presence. While the Nets were far from exciting in a decade dominated by a handful of teams, Buck Williams signified the franchise as a whole — solid, consistent and often under-appreciated.
Jason Kidd (2001–2008)
When he was traded to the Nets in 2001, Kidd was already an All-Star. His time in New Jersey grew his legend, and brought the Nets out of dormancy. In his first two seasons with the Nets, Kidd led the team to two NBA Finals. He was second in MVP voting to Tim Duncan in 2002, turning the Nets from a 26-win team to a 52-win team in one season. He made All-NBA, All-Defensive teams and All-Star teams. With a core of Kenyon Martin, Richard Jefferson and Kerry Kittles, Kidd was the engine of one of the most exciting eras of Nets basketball.
Kidd fundamentally changed the Nets franchise. The team won nine playoff series with Kidd at the helm over a six-year period. His brilliant passing prowess made the Nets must-watch TV. Kidd’s penchant for triple-doubles carried the team in an NBA era filled with stars.
Jason Kidd did it all. He still leads the Nets in assists and steals. One year after his retirement, the Nets retired Kidd’s No. 5 jersey. Kidd, no question, is the best point guard in Nets history, and was the best Net since Julius Erving.
Brook Lopez (2008–2017)
Recency bias? I think not. Lopez grew up before Nets fans’ eyes in nearly a decade with the team. He played in three different arenas for nine different coaches, with dozens of teammates. The Nets were an up-and-down franchise in Lopez’s tenure, transitioning from the Jason Kidd era to a new home in Brooklyn. Through all that, Lopez played. He scored. The Nets didn’t always win, but Lopez always played consistently.
Not only was Lopez consistent on the court, he was a calming presence off the court as well. He was mentioned in trade rumors for the better part of seven seasons — yet he did not let that affect his play. Lopez suffered through three seemingly debilitating foot injuries, but returned each time with the same production. His love of comic books and Disney endeared him to fans and teammates. He even treated the team to a day at Disney last season. Early on, Lopez seemingly played second fiddle to players like Vince Carter, Devin Harris, Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. But, as teammates came and went, Lopez became a leader for a new-look Nets, while also becoming the franchise’s leading scorer at the end of the 2016–17 season.
The outpouring of support and praise for Lopez upon being traded was tremendous. While his tenure as a Net may be over, Lopez has set the bar on being a classy, consistent presence.
Side Note: I didn’t cry watching this video. I promise.
Honorable Mentions
Drazen Petrovic
Petrovic was nicknamed “The Mozart of Basketball” for a reason. After languishing on the bench for the Portland Trail Blazers, Petrovic joined the Nets and showed why he ranks as one of the best European basketball players ever. In two-and-a-half seasons, Petrovic caught the NBA by storm, shooting and scoring at an absurdly efficient level (averaging 20+ points on 50 percent shooting and 44 percent from three) and bringing respect to the Nets in the early 90’s. Unfortunately, his life was cut short after a tragic car accident following the 1993 season. Still, his No. 3 jersey hangs in the rafters at Barclays Center, and he has influenced many past and current European NBA players.
Vince Carter
While Carter will be remembered most for putting the Toronto Raptors and Canadian basketball on the map, he also made an impact as a member of the Nets. In five seasons with the Nets, Carter refined his game. Playing alongside Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson, Carter consistently posted lines of 20 points, five rebounds and five assists. He made the All-Star Team in three of five seasons as a Net, and was a core player in several Nets playoff runs. While not as explosive as in his Toronto days, he still was Half-Man, Half-Amazing.
Awesome and Underrated
Richard Jefferson, Kerry Kittles, John Williamson, Derrick Coleman, Kenyon Martin
With the departure of Brook Lopez, a new era of Nets basketball is seemingly underway. The Nets will look to carve and develop new players to remember for decades.
