New Jersey Nets (1967-Present)

Historical Moments:
ABA Years:
1967/68: Playing in a converted armory in Teaneck, New Jersey, the Americans took the floor on October 23rd against the Pittsburgh Pipers in front of 3,000 fans with a group of semi-pro players as a new league known as the American Basketball Association tried to challenge the NBA, for professional basketball superiority. However, the Americans were a huge failure for the league as the team closes to New York drew less then 1,000 fans per game while posting a 36-42 record. Despite their poor record the Americans faced the Kentucky Colonels in a 1-game playoff to make to qualify for the playoffs. However the circus left the Teaneck Armory in poor condition and the Colonels were awarded a forfeit win.

1968/69: After a frustrating season in New Jersey the New York area ABA franchise shifted to Commack a city on New York's Long Island. Along with the move came a name change as owner Arthur Brown took seriously a suggestion to pick a name that rhymed with the baseball Mets and football Jets. However, the Nets failed to come through in what would have been the biggest move losing out on a chance to sign UCLA star Lew Alcindor who received a better offer to play for the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks. The Nets were a team in transition as they made 10 trades and went trough 23 players during an awful 17-61 season.

1969/70: The Nets got a new owner as Arthur Brown gave up on the BA by selling his team to Roy Boe. They would also get another new home as the Nets decided to play their home games in the Island Garden in West Hempstead which was closer to Manhattan then Commack. In addition they would land a big name coach as they hired St. John's legendary Coach Lou Carnesecca. However, Carnesecca had one year remaining on his contract at the New York University so they would have to place York Larose as the interim coach for the season. With the addition of Levering Tart who led the team with 24.2 ppg the Nets became competitive qualifying for the playoffs with a 39-45 record. However, despite a valiant 7-game effort the Nets playoffs end with a 1st round loss to the Kentucky Colonels.

1970/71: In Lou Carnesecca's first year as coach the Nets made the playoffs for the second year in a row with a 40-44 record, with Rick Barry coming back from an early season knee injury to finish 2nd in the ABA in scoring at 29.4 ppg. However once again they would be knocked out after just 1 round losing to the Virginia Squires in the 6 games.

1971/72: With Rick Barry enjoying a healthy season and finishing 2nd in scoring again with 31.5 ppg, the Nets post their first winning season at 44-40, as they change homes again in February, leaving the old Island Garden in West Hempstead for the brand new Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale. In the playoffs the Nets would win their first series beating the Kentucky Colonels in 6 games. In the Eastern Finals the Nets fell behind quickly, losing their first 2 games to the Virginia Squires. However, the Nets would rebound to take the next 2 games at the Nassau Coliseum. After losing Game 5 in Virginia the Nets won a Game 6 shoot out 146-136 to set up a decisive 7th game, which they won in Virginia 94-88. In the ABA Finals the Nets and Indian Pacers went back and forth through the first 4 games, before the Pacers scratched out Game 5 by 1 point 100-99. Needing to force a 7th game the Nets season would end with another nail bitter 108-105.

1972/73: Before the season ended the Nets were dealt a backbreaking set back when a court ordered that Rick Barry returned to the NBA and honor his contract with Golden State Warriors. Without Barry the Nets struggled to finish with a 30-54 record. Despite their poor season the Nets still made the playoffs, but were beaten in 5 games by the Carolina Cougars. Following the season Coach Lou Carnesecca would be fired and replace by Kevin Loughery. However, the biggest move came via a trade as the Nets acquired the budding superstar Julius Erving from the Virginia Squires.

1973/74: Julius Erving who earned the nickname Dr. J in the press joined a young team, whose oldest starter was 25-year old Center Bill Paultz. Dr. J. would become an instant sensation, winning the ABA's MVP while leading the league in scoring, while leading the Nets to their first Division title with a 55-29 record. In the first round of the playoffs the Nets made quick work of Dr. J's first team, knocking off the Virginia Squires in 5 games. In the Eastern Finals the Nets would breeze through the Kentucky Colonels sweeping them in 4 games. In the ABA Finals the Nets continued to roll winning their first 3 games over the Utah Stars before winning the ABA Championship before 15,934 fans at the Nassau Coliseum 111-100.

1974/75: In Julius Erving's 2nd season with the Nets the team was even better finishing with a 58-26 record. However, a late 4-game losing streak would cost them the Division Title. The Nets struggles would continue on into the playoffs as they are stunned by the Spirits f St Louis in the first round losing 4 straight after taking the opener by a score of 111-105.

1975/76: Doom was insight for the ABA, as the Nets along with the Denver Nuggets applied for membership in the NBA. Although a court ordered the 2 teams to stay in the ABA it was clear the league, which was seeing teams fold in the middle of the season, was running out of gas. Despite the distraction Julius Erving won his 3rd straight MVP as he led the league in scoring at 29.3 ppg. Finishing 2nd in the now 6-team ABA with a 55-29 record, the Nets beat the San Antonio Spurs in a hard fought 7-game series that saw 3 straight games decided by 2 or less points. With the emending doom of the ABA the Nets faced the Nuggets in the Finals. In Game 1 the Nets beat the Nuggets 120-118 before a record crowd in Denver. After losing Game 2 the series shifted to New York where the Nets captured 2 close games to take a 3-1 series lead. After losing Game 5 in Denver the Nets captured the ABA Championship with a 112-116 victory on May 13th before a sold out Nassau Coliseum. A month following the season the Nets along with Nuggets, Spurs, and Indiana Pacers were granted admission in the NBA as the ABA folded.

NBA Years:
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 returned 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 2 games by Dr. J. and the Philadelphia 76ers in a best of 3 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 2 straight.

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 2 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 3rd 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 2 games n Philadelphia as Michael Ray Richardson came back from early season drug problems. However, the Nets momentum would cease as they lost 2 straight 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 by 3 points. In the Eastern Conference Semifinals the Nets would battle back from a 0-2 deficit against the Milwaukee Bucks, to even the series at 2 games apiece. However, the Bucks would bounce back to take the series in 6 games, winning the final game by 1 point 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 3 straight 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 7th and facing the Milwaukee Bucks who had no problem dispensing the Nets in 3 straight.

1986/87: With Otis Birdsong and Daryl Dawkins both being lost to early season injuries the Nets 4-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 5th 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 4 games of a best of 5. 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 2 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 6th in the playoffs. The Nets would face the Cleveland Cavilers for the 2nd year in a row, battling the Cavs to a 5th game before having their season ended in the first round for the 2nd 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 3rd year in a row with a 45-37 record. However, in the first round the Nets are knocked out in 4 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 2nd 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 3 straight.

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 2 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 1 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 4 years. However, the addition of Kidd was the key as the Nets gelled form the start winning their first 6 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.

2001/02: 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 2 eking out a 1-poin 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 3-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 forth in an unforgettable 3-overtime game. In the end the Nets would survive pulling away in the end as the Pacers top players fouled out. In the 2nd Round the Nets actually found things easier as they knocked off the lame duck Charlotte Hornets in 5 games of a best of 7. 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 2 games to1 to the Boston Celtics. However, the Nets would show their character by bouncing back to win the next 3 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 4 straight.

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 2 of the better up and coming players in the NBA. Despite a mediocre second half the Nets would go on to win their 2nd straight division title with a record of 49-33. In the playoffs the Nets would but 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 2 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 4-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 2 close games in Detroit the series shifted to New Jersey where the Nets easily completed the sweep winning the final 2 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 10 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 2 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 4-game sweep. In the 2nd 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 2 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 3rd 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 7th 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 2 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 8th seed with a 42-40 record. However, in the playoffs they would be overmatched by the Miami Heat falling 4 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 3-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 5 of their last 8. 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 6 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.