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New Jersey Nets

Frank Fleming
Author: 
Frank Fleming
35 mins
October 30th, 2023
Bet With Confidence
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New Jersey Nets
  • First Game Played October 22, 1976

  • Last Game Played April 26, 2012

  • Moved to Brooklyn in 2012

Historical Moments

1976/77:Joining the NBA the Nets, would acquire star Guard Nate “Tiny” Archibald. However, a contract dispute would develop with their biggest star Julius Erving. After paying $8 million dollars just to enter the NBA the Nets were in financial trouble, and were forced to sell Dr. J. to the Philadelphia 76ers for $3 million. The move would go down as one of the worst deals in NBA history as the Nets went from ABA Championship to NBA basement with a 22-60 record.

1977/78:The Nets moved to the Garden State playing at the Rutgers Athletic Center in Piscataway, while a new arena was built in the Meadowlands. Now known as the New Jersey Nets the team still finished dead last with a 24-58 record. One bright spot was the play of rookie forward Bernard King, who averaged 24.2 ppg.

1978/79:With a change in ownership the Nets improved by 13 games to qualify for the playoff with a 37-45 record. However, their taste of NBA postseason was not long as they were swept in a two game serie by Julius Erving and the Philadelphia 76ers in a best of three series.

1979/80:In another questionable move the Nets traded budding star Bernard King to the Utah Jazz for veteran Richard Kelly. The Nets would fall back into last place with a 34-48 record.

1980/81:The Nets stumbled out of the gate as Coach Kevin Loughery resigned in December. Led by Bob MacKinnon the rest of the season the Nets would not do any better landing in last place in the Atlantic Division with a 24 -58 record. Following the season the Nets would hire former ABA star player and Coach Larry Brown to run the team.

1981/82:With a new arena in the Meadowlands and wholesale changes the Nets would get off to a shaky 3-12 start. However, led by an outstanding Rookie of the Year season from Forward Buck Williams, and the sensational play of backcourt acquisitions Otis Birdsong and Ray Williams the Nets would go 41-26 the rest of the way to make the playoffs with a 44-38 record, for their first NBA season with a winning record. However, in the first round of the playoffs the Nets are swept by the Washington Bullets in two straight games.

1982/83:The Nets continued to improve posting a solid 49-33 record. However, down the stretch the team is dealt a stunning blow when Coach Larry Brown quits with two weeks remaining in the season to take a coaching job at the University of Kansas. With Bill Blair leading the team the Nets struggled down the stretch and were swept out of the playoffs by their Hudson River rival New York Knicks.

1983/84:With new Coach Stan Aback who promised a playoff victory the Nets made the playoffs for the third season in a row with a 45-37 record, as Otis Birdsong had an All-Star season, and Buck Williams continued to dominate on the boards. However, Albeck’s playoff promise looked in doubt as they faced the defending NBA Champion Philadelphia 76ers led by Julius Erving. The Nets would get a jump on the 76ers winning two games n Philadelphia as Michael Ray Richardson came back from early season drug problems. However, the Nets momentum would cease as they lost two straight games at home. With Game 5 back in Philly no one gave the Nets a shot, but Richardson was on fire all day as the Nets stunned the Sixers 101-98. In the Eastern Conference Semifinals the Nets would battle back from a 0-2 deficit against the Milwaukee Bucks, to even the series at two games apiece. However, the Bucks would bounce back to take the series in six games, winning the final game 98-97 at the Meadowlands.

1984/85:With Michael Ray Richardson and Buck Williams each having stellar seasons the Nets overcame a series of injuries to make the playoffs with a 42-40 record. However in the playoffs the Nets are swept in three straight games, by the Detroit Pistons. Following the season Coach Stan Albeck would resign.

1985/86:With new Coach Dave Wohl the Nets got off to a solid 23-14 start. However, Michael Ray Richardson was banned for life by the NBA as his drug problems continued. Without Richardson the Nets struggled the rest of the way, finishing with a 39-43 record. However they would still qualify for the playoffs seeding seventh and facing the Milwaukee Bucks who had no problem dispensing the Nets in three straight games.

1986/87:With Otis Birdsong and Daryl Dawkins both being lost to early season injuries the Nets four year playoff run ended as they finished with a terrible 24-58 record.

1987/88:The Nets set an NBA record as its players missed more games because of injury than any other team in league history, during an awful last place 19-63 season. Even Willis Reed who was hired the coach the team at the end of the season could not inspire the struggling franchise.

1988/89:In Willis Reed’s first full season as Coach, the Nets struggle continued as they finished with a woeful 26-56 record, finishing in fifth place in the Atlantic Division. Following the season Reed would move to the front office as Bill Fitch was hired as the team’s new coach.

1989/90:The Nets were not jamming at all in a year of transition mired in last place from the start of the season the Nets decided to start the rebuilding process by trading Buck Williams to the Portland Trailblazers on draft day. The Nets would go on to finish the season with the worst record in the NBA at 17-65 finishing worse then the expansion Orlando Magic and Minnesota Timberwolves.

1990/91:The Nets began the slow road to respectability as top draft pick Derrick Coleman had a stellar season claiming the Rookie of the Year. The Nets youth movement would continue as they acquired Croatian star Drazen Petrovic from the Portland Trailblazers in February. Despite the solid play form the Nets young stars they would only manage a 26-56 record.

1991/92:The Nets acquire a [playmaker by drafting Kenny Anderson, a brilliant young point guard from Georgia Tech who had grown up in New York City. However, Anderson held out early and the Nets struggled losing 11 of its first 13 games and 18 of its first 25. With Anderson coming off the bench the Nets would catch fire finishing with a 40-42 record to make the playoffs. However, the Nets would make a quick exit losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in four games of a best of five series. Following the season Coach Bill Fitch who clashed with his young stars was fired. The Nets would pull a major coup by hiring Chuck Daly who guided the Detroit Pistons to two NBA Championships, as was tabbed to lead the original Dream Team.

1992/93:The Nets continued to improve getting ff to a solid 31-24 start, before Kenny Anderson as lost for the season with a wrist injury. Without their playmaker at Guard the Nets would struggle down the stretch finishing with a 43-39 record, which dropped them sixth in the playoffs. The Nets would face the Cleveland Cavilers for the second year in a row, battling the Cavs to a fifth game before having their season ended in the first round for the second straight year. Following the season the Nets are dealt a tragic blow when Drazen Petrovic who led the team in scoring at 22.3 ppg is killed while racing on the Autobahn in Germany.

1993/94:Without Drazen Petrovic; Derrick Coleman and Kenny Anderson would step it up both having All-Star season as the Nets made the playoffs for the third year in a row with a 45-37 record. However, in the first round the Nets are knocked out in four games by the New York Knicks. Following the season a frustrated Coach Chuck Daly would step down, after clashing with Nets stars Coleman and Anderson.

1994/95:With new coach Butch Beard the Nets fell apart like a cheap suit. Both Kenny Anderson and Derrick Coleman struggled with injuries while having a public feud with their new coach as the Nets missed the playoffs with a woeful 30-52 record. In a season that would be best remembered for Coleman’s quote “Woopde Damn Do.”

1995/96:With Derrick Coleman and Kenny Anderson still fuming and struggling the Nets got off to another terrible start losing their season opener to the expansion Toronto Raptors. Before November was over Coleman was dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers, and by February Anderson would be gone too. Without Coleman and Anderson the Nets would play better down the stretch, but their slow start would keep them at 30-52. Following the season the Nets would fire Coach Butch Beard and hire John Calipari from the College ranks.

1996/97:The Nets transition continued as Shawn Bradley is traded to the Dallas Mavericks, in a blockbuster deal. Despite finishing with a 26-56 record the Nets appeared to be heading in the right direction as they drafted Keith Van Horne with second overall pick in the draft.

1997/98:With a new look and a new logo the Nets youth movement began to pay off as they made the playoffs with a 43-39 record, as rookie Keith Van Horne shook off an early season injury to lead the team in scoring at 19.7 ppg. However, in the playoff the Nets are given a quick exit by the Chicago Bulls in three straight games.

1998/99:After a lockout wiped out nearly half of the season the Nets got off to a shaky start losing 17 of their first 20 games. With new ownership taking over, patience could not be afforded and Coach John Calipari was fired. To try and improve the team’s situation the Nets pulled off a stunning midseason deal acquiring Stephon Marburry form the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, the Nets would still struggle finishing in last place with a 16-34 record. As the season wined down the Nets were dealt a blow when Center and top rebounded Jayson Williams career was ended with a server leg injury.

1999/00:The Nets stumbled out of the gate losing 15 of their first 17 games, but the team would get hot and would find themselves in the playoff picture until a rash of late season injuries cost the their last 11 games as they finished with a 31-51 record.

2000/01:With new coach Byron Scott the Nets struggled all season despite a stellar All-Star season from Stephon Marburry. However, injuries and poor chemistry seemed to affect the Nets all season as they struggled to finish with a 26-56 record. Rookie forward Kenyon Martin would provide another bright spot until missing the final two moths with a broken leg. Following the season the Nets would trade their lone All-Star Marburry to the Phoenix Sun for Jason Kidd.

2001/02:Rarely has the addition of one player changed a franchises fortune so much, but the acquisition of Point Guard Jason Kidd turned the Nets fortunes completely around. In truth Kidd got some help, as the Nets were healthy for the first tine in four years. However, the addition of Kidd was the key as the Nets gelled form the start winning their first six games and holding on to First Place for the entire season. In what was a pinch me I’m dreaming season for long suffering Nets fans they won their first division title since joining the NBA finishing with a 52-32 record, as Kidd led the NBA in assists and Triple-Doubles. In the playoffs the Nets got off to a shaky start losing Game 1 in the first round to the playoff tested Indian Pacers. However, the Nets would recover to win the next two games eeking out a one point win in Game 3 in Indiana. After losing Game 4 the series shifted back to the Meadowlands where the Nets appeared ready to win their first playoff series in 18 years. However, a stunning mid-court three point shot by Pacers star Reggie Miller at the buzzer would send the game to overtime. From there the game would become heart stopping as the Nets and Pacers battled back and fourth in an unforgettable three overtime game. In the end the Nets would survive pulling away to a 120-109 victory, in the end as the Pacers top players fouled out. In the second Round the Nets actually found things easier as they knocked off the lame duck Charlotte Hornets in five games of a best of seven series. Playing in the Eastern Conference finals for the first time the Nets appeared to be in trouble again after blowing a 21-point 4th Quarter lead to fall behind two games to one to the Boston Celtics. However, the Nets would show their character by bouncing back to win the next three games, and claim the Eastern Conference Championship. However, in the NBA Finals the Nets magic carpet ride would end, as they are swept by the powerful Los Angeles Lakers in four straight games.

2002/03:After being swept in the Finals the Nets looked to improve trading Keith Van Horn and Todd MacCulloch to the Philadelphia 76ers for Dikembe Mutombo, while signing Free Agent Rodney Rogers. However neither deal worked out as Mutombo was lost most of the season due to injury while Rogers struggled all season. Despite the new additions failing to help, the Nets proved their previous season was not a fluke by leading the Atlantic Division most of the season as Richard Jefferson and Kenyon Martin both established themselves as two of the better young stars on the rise in the NBA. Despite a mediocre second half the Nets would go on to win their second straight division title with a record of 49-33. In the playoffs the Nets would put their sluggish play behind them right away as easily beat the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 by an impressive 109-93 score. However, the Bucks would battle back and capture Game 2 to even the series. The Nets would see a 15 point halftime lead disappear in the Final minutes of Game 3. However, Rodney Rogers nailed a Game winning 20-footer after missing two free throws to deliver the Nets a 105-103 victory. After a loss in Milwaukee for Game 4 the Nets took back control of the series with a solid 89-82 victory. Not wanting to tempt fate the Nets but away the Bucks in Game 6 on the road as Jason Kidd recorded a triple double and Kenyon Martin scored 29 points in a 113-101 victory. The Nets second round series against the Boston Celtics started with controversy as the Boston Globe Columnist Bob Ryan suggested Jason Kidd’s wife needed to be slapped. The series itself would turn into a mismatch as the Nets dominated the Celtics throughout in an easy four game sweep. In the Eastern Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons the Nets continued their winning streak by holding the Pistons to just 11 points in the 4th Quarter on the road as Jason Kidd nailed the game winner with 1.4 seconds left to give the Nets a 76-74 victory. In Game 2 the Nets would rally again overcoming an 11-point deficit in the 4th Quarter to beat the Pistons 88-86 as Kenyon Martin scored 16 points in the final period. After two close games in Detroit the series shifted to New Jersey where the Nets easily completed the sweep winning the final two games by double digits to reach the NBA Finals for the second straight season. Their easy win in the Eastern Conference Finals gave the Nets ten days off before the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs started. Unfortunately it led to rust as the Nets were thumped in Game 1 on the road 101-89. In Game 2 the Nets continued to shoot poorly. However their defense came trough as the Nets held off a late Spurs rally to even the series 87-85.After a disappointing 84-79 loss in Game 3 at home the Nets used the New Jersey Devils who brought out the Stanley Cup as inspiration, as they shut down the Spurs 77-76 in one of the lowest scoring games in final history. However, with a chance to take control of the series with a win in Game 5 at home the Nets could not get over the hump as the Spurs won 93-83. Back in San Antonio for Game 6 the Nets had a lead entering the 4th Quarter. However, the Spurs erupted 31 points in the final period to close out the Nets 88-77.

2003/04:With the addition of Alonzo Mourning there was hope the Nets could finally take the next step. However, Mourning’s season was over early as his Kidney Ailment forced him to the sidelines after just 12 games, where he would receiver a transplant. Without Zo the Nets would play mediocre basketball as they were only a few games above .500. Off the court the Nets were sold to Billionaire developer Bruce Ratner who announced plans to move the team to Brooklyn, which only created more elbow room for an already empty Meadowlands Arena. Meanwhile a rift between Jason Kidd and Coach Byron Scott developed eventually leading to the dismissal of Scott on January 26th. The Nets would win Scott’s final game as Coach and with assistant Lawrence Frank taking over they final got a jumpstart winning Frank’s first 13 games as Coach for a franchise record 14-game winning streak which built a sizeable lead for the Nets 3rd straight division title. However down the stretch Jason Kidd strained his knee and was clearly not 100% as the Nets only played mediocre basketball over the final twp months posting a record of 47-35. In the playoffs the Nets were matched up against the New York Knicks, the series seemed to reenergize the Nets as they dominated their Hudson River rivals in a four game sweep. In the second round the Nets faced the Detroit Pistons in a rematch of the Eastern Conference Finals. Unlike the previous year the Nets found themselves in an early hole dropping the first two games on the road. However coming home the Nets held their ground winning both to even the series. In Game 5 the Nets and Pistons battled back and forth all night as the Pistons forced overtime on a dramatic shot at the end of regulation. There the two teams would battle into a third overtime where the Nets finally emerged as a 127-120 winner. Holding a 3-2 series lead, the Nets would jump out to an early 11-point lead. However, it would evaporate just as quickly as the Nets were stunned by the Pistons 81-75 as the series went to a seventh game where the eventual NBA Champions would control the game from the start eliminating the Nets with a 90-69 win. Following the season Nets would be hit hard by Free Agency as they lost Kenyon Martin to the Denver Nuggets, while they allowed Kerry Kittles to go to the Los Angeles Clippers.

2004/05:Already having lost Kenyon Martin and Kerry Kittles to Free Agency the Nets entered the season hobbled as Jason Kidd missed the first month recovering from off-season knee surgery. Without their play making guard the Nets got off to a terrible start posting a 3-11 record in November. The Nets would only do slightly better in December as Kidd returned posting a 7-7 record. Looking to replace what they missed in losing Kenyon Martin the Nets pulled off a blockbuster trade in December landing Vince Carter from the Toronto Raptors in a multi-player deal. The trade would immediately revitalize Carter’s career as well as the Nets as they would begin to climb out of the deep hole they dug with their bad start. However, in February they would suffer another blow when Richard Jefferson was lost for two months with a wrist injury. Despite losing Jefferson the Nets had strong finish winning 16 of their last 21 games to slip into the playoffs as the eighth seed with a 42-40 record. However, in the playoffs they would be overmatched by the Miami Heat falling four straight games.

2005/06:Despite starting the season completely healthy the Nets got off to a lackluster start posting a 9-12 record through their first 21 games which was capped by a 91-83 home loss the Charlotte Bobcats on December 14th. Two Nights later the Nets would begin to turn things around as Vince Carter scored 34 in points in an overtime win over the Denver Nuggets. The win would be the start of a ten-game winning streak, including a win on the road against the Miami Heat that same Vince score 51. January would be another bump in the road as the Nets went winless on a three game trip through Texas, which was followed two weeks later by a 0-5 trip on the West Coast. The Nets would continue to play mediocre basketball despite spending most of the season at the top of the weak Atlantic Division until March 12th when the Nets suddenly kicked it into high gear again with a franchise record 14-game winning streak that included a road win against the Detroit Pistons, and home wins against the Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat. Leading the way for the Nets was Vince Carter who in his first full season in New Jersey had a team high 24.2 ppg, while Richard Jefferson continued to develop averaging 19.5. Also playing an important role again was Jason Kidd who continued to collect triple doubles as he led the Nets in rebounds and assists. The Nets would cool off down the stretch losing five of their last eight games. However, with a 49-33 record they won their fourth division title in five years. In the playoffs would stumble in their first game as controversial ending saw the Indiana Pacers win the opener 90-88. After splitting the next two games the Nets needed a strong performance on the road in Game 4 just to avoid falling in a 3-1 hole. With Kidd and Carter leading the way the Nets would finally find their grove again as they beat the Pacers 97-88, as they would go on to win the next three to take the series in six games. In the second round the Nets would face the Miami Heat and would continue a season long mastery of the team they beat three times in four games during the regular season as they scored a solid 100-88 win on the road in Game 1. However, it was not without a price as Richard Jefferson injured his ankle late in the game. With Jefferson not 100% the Nets would drop Game 2. Then they suffered another blow as Clifford Robinson who provided a strong defensive presence off the bench was suspended for five games for a positive drug test. The next two games in the Meadowlands would be carbon copies as the Nets lost 103-93 in Game 3 and 102-92 in Game 4 as the Heat went on to take the series in five games, eventually marching all the way to a NBA Championship.

2006/07:The Nets began the season with championship aspirations but quickly found themselves in a hole as they got off to a poor start, as they endured a six game losing streak in November. The Nets would not play much better in December, as they entered the New Year with a disappointing record of 13-18. Hurting the Nets were a series of injuries to key players like Nenad Krstic who was limited to just 26 games before a season ending knee injury, as Richard Jefferson also missed two months. Jefferson would come back just in time for the stretch run, and for the Nets who held a record of 28-35 on March 10th it was not a moment too soon, as they needed a strong push just to slip into the playoffs. The Nets would get the strong finish they needed as they won 10 of their final 13 games to earn the 6th seed and a playoff match against the Atlantic Division Champion Toronto Raptors. With former Raptor Vince Carter the target of immense scorn the Nets continued to play strong in the playoffs as they stunned the Raptors on the road 96-91, holding off a late 4th Quarter charge. After dropping Game 2 the series shifted to the Meadowlands, where the battle tested Nets too advantage of the young Raptors winning 102-89, as Vince Carter had a game high 37 points, with Jason Kidd scoring a triple double. Game 4 was all about balance as Carter, and Jefferson combined for 50 points, while Kidd added 17 points, missing another triple double by two rebounds, as the Nets took a stranglehold of the series with a 102-81 win. After a hard fought loss in Game 5, the Nets would complete the upset with a 98-97 win, as Richard Jefferson gave the Nets a lead with 8.3 seconds left, and then stole an inbound pass to clinch the series victory in six games. In the second round against the Cleveland Cavaliers things would be considerably tougher as the Nets dropped the first two games on the road. The Nets would come alive in Game 3, as the Carter, Jefferson and Kidd each scored 23 points, with Kidd notching his 11th career triple double in the playoffs. However, Game 4 would bring disappointment as Jason Kidd’s 17 rebounds were not enough to overcome a strong game from LeBron James who delivered a 3-1 series lead with an 87-85 win. Facing elimination in Cleveland the Nets put the clamps down on the Cavs in Game 5, winning 83-72 despite scoring just six points in the 4th Quarter, as neither team could throw the ball in the ocean. However, winning ugly could get you only so far as the Cavs bounced back to take Game 6 in New Jersey 88-72 eliminating the Nets.

2007/08:After six straight playoff appearances, it all began to unravel for the Nets, as they became the sole tenant in the Meadowlands, with the Devils completing their move to the Newark Arena, in which the Nets had once considered moving to, while at the same time lawsuits continued to hold up the project that would take the Nets to Brooklyn. With the arena now known as the Izod Center, the Nets suffered an early pothole with a six game losing streak in November. Jason Kidd who became the franchise player of the Nets, began to sulk as a he sat out a game with a headache, as he requested a trade, while the Nets struggles continued into December as they lost five of six during a key stretch and entered the New Year with a losing record of 14-16. In January the bottom would fall out as the Nets dropped nine in a row, centered around a six game Western Conference road trip. In February as the trade deadline approached the Nets made the tough decision of trading Jason Kidd to the Dallas Mavericks along with along with Malik Allen and Antoine Wright for the retired Keith Van Horn, Devin Harris, DeSagana Diop, Trenton Hassell, Maurice Ager, $3 million, and two first round draft picks, in a deal which was finally completed on February 20th after needing to be reworked when Devean George vetoed the trade to New Jersey. After the deal the Nets would fade in the playoff chase as they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2001 with a disappointing record of 34-48. Following the season the changes continued as the Nets said good bye to Nenad Kristic and Bostjan Nachbar, who were not re-signed, while Richard Jefferson was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks for Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons.

2008/09:Despite losing five of their first seven games, the Nets managed a solid first month as they posted 9-7 record, thanks to a strong Western Conference Road trip that saw the Nets win games against the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns. However, they would struggle in December, and entered the New Year with a 15-17 record. The Nets would get their record to .500 on January 9th, but after losing seven of their next eight games the Nets would never come close to the break even mark again, as they faded out of playoff contention and posted a 34-48 record for the second straight season. While the team struggled, Rookie Center Brook Lopez provided a bright spot, averaging 13.0 ppg, along with 8.1 rebounds per game, as he finished third in Rookie of the Year voting. Another bright spot was Devin Harris, who made the All-Star Roster for the first time by averaging 21.3 ppg, and 6.9 assists per game. Following the season the Nets continued to re-tool as they traded Vince Carter to the Orlando Magic with Ryan Anderson for Rafer Alston, Tony Battie and Courtney Lee.

2009/10:As the season began a majority stake in the Nets Ownership were sold to Mikhail Prokhorov, an eccentric Russian Billionaire. Meanwhile the lawsuits that were blocking their future home in Brooklyn were coming to a close, paving the way for a 2012 opening. However, with Brooklyn three years away, Prokhorov’s sale being considered by NBA owners the Nets were essentially a lame duck team in a decaying Izod Center. Talk even suggested the New Jersey Nets would play their final two seasons in Newark before moving across the Hudson River. Still playing in the Izod Center the Nets were playing routinely in an empty arena all season with a rebuilding roster. In short it was the recipe for disaster. The Nets would not just get off to a slow start; they would get off to the worst start in NBA history losing their first 18 games. The losing streak would see the end of Lawrence Frank as he was dismissed after the 16th straight loss. After Assistant CoachTom Barrise ran the team for two games, General Manager Kiki Vandeweghe took for the remainder of the season and was on the bench when the Nets finally won their first game against the Charlotte Bobcats 97-91 on December 4th. Wins would continue to be scarce for the Nets as they entered the New Year at 3-29. The Nets would win just once in January, and twice in February as they held a 6-53 record and in danger of posting the most losses in NBA history. As March came to an end the Nets won three of four games to reach ten wins, thus avoiding the record, but their 12-70 mark was a huge embarrassment. The Nets would undergo wholesale changes to the roster and front office following the season as Kiki Vadeweghe was let go and replaced by Billy Hunter as General Manager as Avery Johnson was named coach. The Nets would announce plans to play in Newark’s Prudential Center for two years before their arena in Brooklyn was finished, as Mikhali Prokhorov was approved and made bold statements about the Nets future renewing some hope among their fans who just went through the worse season in team history.

2010/11:As work began on the Barclay Center in Brooklyn, the Nets began a two year holdover in Newark at the Prudential Center. Coming off a horrendous 12-70 season, the Nets made wholesale changes hiring a new General Manager in Billy Hunter and a new coach in Avery Johnson as nearly the entire roster was changed. Showing a willingness to peruse NBA stars, the Nets attempted to make a deal for Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets. However, Melo was unwilling to talk contract extension, expressing his desire to be dealt to the New York Knicks. The Nets would start the season, with a win over the Detroit Pistons 101-98, which was followed up by a 106-100 win over the Sacramento Kings. The Nets opening home stand would end with back to back losses to the Miami Heat and Charlotte Bobcats. The Nets would struggle over the next two months, posting a record of 9-24 as they entered the New Year. The Nets would have their moments in January, as they stunned the Chicago Bulls 96-94. However, they still lost more than they won at 6-10. The Nets would continue to stumble in February as they posted a 2-9 record. Hoping to get things turn around the Nets made a surprise blockbuster at the trade deadline, picking up All-Star Deron Williams from the Utah Jazz, along with Dan Gadzuric and Brandan Wright in a three team deal that sent Troy Murphy to the Golden State Warriors, while the Utah Jazz landed Derrick Favors, Devin Harris and two first round draft picks. After losing six straight games to end February, the Nets swept a two game series with the Toronto Raptors in London, in the first regular season games in Europe. Unfortunately the Nets would only have Deron Williams for 12 games, as he underwent wrist surgery. The Nets would go to finish with a record of 24-58, finishing in fourth place in the Atlantic Division.

2011/12:As the Nets began their 35th and final season in New Jersey, rumors swirled that they could land All-Star Center Dwight Howard, who had requested a trade to the Nets from Orlando during the lockout which erased the first two months of the season. When the season began the Nets got some bad news as Brook Lopez was placed on the injured list with a broken foot. In their season opener the Nets rallied to beat the Washington Wizards 90-84. However, they would drop six games straight afterward, including their home opener against the Atlanta Hawks. The Nets quickly found themselves in last place with a record of 3-11 despite a strong start by Deron Williams. The struggles continued into February as an eight game losing streak saw them hold a record of 8-23 as they entered a February 18th game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. With Deron Williams and Kris Humphries leading the way, the Nets stunned the first place Bulls 97-85. One night later the Nets hoped to get a boost, as Brook Lopez returned from the injured list. However, after playing just five games Lopez was hurt again and would miss the rest of the season. The Nets would be active at the trade deadline again, picking up Gerald Wallace from the Portland Trail Blazers for Mehmet Okur, Shawne Williams and a draft pick. A few days before the trade, Deron Williams had one of the best games in Nets history scoring a franchise record 57 points as the Nets beat the Charlotte Bobcats on the road 104-101. The Nets would win eight games in March, but still had a losing month as they held a record of 19-35 entering April. As the season came to an end Deron Williams missed several games including the team’s final game in New Jersey which they lost to the Philadelphia 76ers 105-87 on April 23rd at the Prudential Center in Newark as the team had several fan favorites on hand to say good bye to the Garden State. The Nets season would end three days later with a 98-67 loss to the Toronto Raptors as they finished at the bottom of the Atlantic Division with a record of 22-44.

Nets Arenas

Nassau Veteran Memorial Coliseum

1976/77

Rutgers Athletic Center

1977-1981

Contintental Airlines Arena

1981-2010

Prudential Center

2010-2012

Nets Memories

Robert Hawkins

1976-1978

Bernard King

1977-1979, 1992/93

John Williamson

1976/77, 1978-1980

George Johnson

1977-1980, 1984/85

Phil Jackson

1978-1980

Eddie Jordan

1977-1981

Maurice Lucas

1979-1981

Mike Newlin

1979-1981

Jan Van Breda Kolff

1976-1983

Len Elmore

1981-1983

Foots Walker

1980-1984

Darwin Cook

1980-1986

Michael Ray Richardson

1982-1986

Kelvin Ransey

1983-1986

Darryl Dawkins

1982-1987

Ray Williams

1981/82, 1985-1987

Mike Gminski

1980-1988

Mike O’Koren

1980-1986, 1987/88

Otis Birdsong

1981-1988

Albert King

1981-1988

Pearl Washington

1986-1988

Orlando Woolridge

1986-1988

Buck Williams

1981-1989

1982 Rookie of the Year

Dennis Hopson

1987-1990

Joe Barry Carroll

1988-1990

Roy Hinson

1987-1991

Lester Conner

1988-1991

Jack Haley

1989-1991,1996-1998

Reggie Theus

1990/91

Mookie Blaylock

1989-1992

Sam Bowie

1989-1993

Chris Dudley

1989-1993

Tate George

1990-1993

Drazen Petrovic

1990-1993

Rumeal Robinson

1992-1994

Chris Morris

1988-1995

Dwayne Schintzius

1992-1995

Benoit Benjamin

1993-1995

Derrick Coleman

1990-1996

1991 Rookie of the Year

Kenny Anderson

1991-1996

Rick Mahorn

1992-1996

P.J. Brown

1993-1996

Armen Gilliam

1993-1996

Chris Childs

1994-1996, 2002/03

Shawn Bradley

1995-1997

Ed O’Bannon

1995-1997

Kelvin Edwards

1993-1998

Yinka Dare

1994-1998

Jayson Williams

1992-1999

Sam Cassell

1996-1999

Chris Gatling

1996-1999

Kendall Gill

1995-2001

Stephon Marburry

1999-2001

Keith Van Horn

1997-2002

Todd MacCulloch

2001/02

Diekembe Mutombo

2002/03

Kerry Kittles

1996-2004

Lucious Harris

1997-2004

Byron Scott

Coach 2000-2004

Kenyon Martin

2000-2004

Aaron Williams

2000-2005

Brian Scalabrine

2001-2005

Alonzo Mourning

2003-2005

Mikki Moore

2003/04, 2006/07

Clifford Robinson

2004-2007

Jason Collins

2001-2008

Richard Jefferson

2001-2008

Jason Kidd

2001-2008

Nenad Kristic

2004-2008

Bostjan Nachbar

2005-2008

Vince Carter

2004-2009

Sean Williams

2007-2010

Josh Boone

2006-2010

Keyon Dooling

2008-2010

Chris Douglas-Roberts

2008-2010

Yi Jianlian

2008-2010

Bobby Simmons

2008-2010

Courtney Lee

2009/10

Devin Harris

2007-2011

Brook Lopez

2008-2012

Kris Humphries

2009-2012

Jordan Farmar

2010-2012

Anthony Morrow

2010-2012

Deron Williams

2010-2012

MarShon Brooks

2011/12

Gerald Green

2011/12

Gerald Wallace

2011/12

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Author

Frank Fleming
Frank Fleming founded the Sports Ecyclopedia in 2001 & is a passionate Devils fan.