While largely overshadowed by the New York Knicks in their own area, the Brooklyn Nets (formerly the New Jersey Nets, New York Nets and the New Jersey Americans of the ABA), have also had their fair share of talent. Although they have never broken through to win an NBA title (they did win two ABA Championships) the recent acquisitions of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving could soon fix all that. The Brooklyn Nets all-time team has both legends and underrated gems all deserving of appreciation.
All-Time Brooklyn Nets Roster
Starting Lineup
Point Guard – Jason Kidd
Jason Kidd has had a significant impact on many franchises, but the mark he left on the Nets may be his biggest accomplishment.
Kidd was the driving force in the Nets making it to back-to-back NBA championships in 2002 and 2003. Not to mention as well as winning two additional division titles in 2004 and 2006. Widely hailed as one of the best pure point guards in the league, Kidd is the all-time leader for the Nets in assists (4,620), steals (950) and three-pointers made (813). He also ranks fifth in both scoring (7,373) and rebounding (3,662). Kidd was a triple-double just waiting to happen, as his time in Brooklyn coincided with the prime of his career.
Shooting Guard –Vince Carter
Like Kidd, Vince Carter is another famed Net who has had a lasting impact on several franchises. However, Carter’s time in New Jersey was also when he was in his prime.
He averaged at least 20 points per game in his five seasons with the Nets. Oddly enough, the 2008-09 season was the last time he averaged at least 20 points a game in the NBA. Carter ranks third all-time in Nets in scoring with 8,884 points. He also ranks fifth in assists (1,762), third in three-pointers made (638) and fourth in free throws made (1,944).
Small Forward – Julius “Doctor J” Erving
Although Julius Erving made a brand name for himself in Philadelphia, he did cut his teeth with the Nets.
He was simply sensational in his three years with the Nets. Erving averaged at least 27 points per game in his time with the Nets, while shooting over 50 percent from the field and adding more than five assists and 10 rebounds per game in each of his three years with the club.
For his profound impact with the Nets, he had his number retired. Erving is almost unanimously regarded as the best player of the 1970s and is widely ranked as one of the NBA’s best 20 players of all time. Granted his time with the Nets was brief, he still left an indelible mark with the franchise. The lack of longevity can be excused in this circumstance.
Power Forward – Buck Williams
When you combine productivity and longevity, perhaps no one else measures up to the criminally underrated Buck Williams in the annals of Nets’ legends.
Williams was a quiet beast and one of the preeminent power forwards of the 1980s. He is the Nets all-time leader in rebounds (7,576), games played (635), minutes played (23,100) and free throws made (2,476). Williams also ranks second in scoring (10,444) and third in blocks (696). He was an iron man, too. Williams missed only 21 games in his nine seasons in New Jersey. There was simply no one more dependable in the Nets’ franchise than the tenacious Williams.
Center – Brook Lopez
Much like Williams, Brook Lopez is one of the more underrated big men of his time. Lopez is the only player on this list who has played in both New Jersey and Brooklyn and Nets’ fans hold a special place in their hearts for the affable center.
After all, he is the all-time leader in points scored (10,444) in Nets history — as well as blocks (972). Lopez also ranks second in rebounding (4,005) and games played (562), as well as third all-time in minutes played (18,118) and free throws made (2,219).
Bench
Point Guard – Kenny Anderson
While Kenny Anderson never really reached his full potential after being selected as the number two pick in the 1991 NBA draft, he did have his moments with the Nets.
The local product—born and raised in nearby Queens, New York— dazzled the Nets’ faithful in his four and half years in New Jersey. Anderson was a wizard with the ball in his hands. He ranks second in assists (2,363) despite his limited time in New Jersey. Anderson also ranks ninth in steals (476). His crowning achievement with the Nets was making the 1994 NBA All-Star game.
Shooting Guard – Kerry Kittles
A major theme of the All-Time Nets team is the underrated nature of the group and Kerry Kittles is another prime example.
Kittles was a gifted scorer who could connect from long range as effectively as he attacked the rim. He ranks sixth in scoring (7,096), third in steals (803), seventh in games played (496), fifth in minutes played (16,686) and second in three-pointers made (687). Kittles was also wildly unsung for his ability to defend.
Small Forward – Richard Jefferson
Now an analyst for the Nets on the YES Network, Richard Jefferson is another productive and popular player in Nets’ lore. Although he had a long career that saw him play for seven other organizations, it’s his time with the Nets where he truly excelled.
He ranks in the top-10 in Nets’ history in many categories, most notably ranking fourth in career scoring (8,507). Jefferson also comes in eighth in rebounding (2,627), sixth in assists (1,486) and second in free throws made (2,349).
Jefferson was known for his versatility. He was the prime go-to scorer for the Nets in the early-to-mid 2000s when New Jersey was making deep runs in the playoffs.
Power Forward – Derrick Coleman
As the number one pick of the 1990 NBA Draft, a lot was expected of Derrick Coleman when he came out of Syracuse. Charles Barkley even once said Coleman had the potential to be the best ever power forward in the NBA.
While he fell short of the high expectations placed on him, Coleman still had a very productive career. He ranks seventh all-time in scoring (6,930), third in rebounding (3,690) and fifth in blocks (559) for the Nets. Although he played for three other franchises (most notably Philadelphia) he unarguably had his best seasons with the Nets.
Coleman made the 1994 All-Star team (his only appearance) along with Anderson. He also earned Rookie of the Year honors in the 1990-91 season.
Center – Mike Gminski
Mike Gminski is another underrated player who never really got his due for his time with the Nets.
While never a star, Gminski always played hard and was always a good bet for a double-double. He averaged 11.7 points and 6.7 rebounds in his time with the Nets. He ranks ninth in scoring (6,415), fourth in rebounding (3,671), fourth in blocks (599) and third in games played (550) with the Nets.
With Gminski, it was never about flash but more for his substance.
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
