Nets History

Nets , Nets History

Winner Take All: A History of Nets Elimination Games

Posted on: May 4th, 2013 by William Rausch 1 Comment

 

This won't come as a surprise, and if it does you don't even have a rudimentary understanding of the NBA, but the Nets don't have as illustrious a history as the Los Angeles Lakers. Shocker. The Lakers are an NBA team from the league's second season in 1947, while the Nets are a 1960s ABA team turned NBA expansion franchise in the late 70s. The Lakers have Wilt, West, Kareem, Magic, Kobe and Shaq. The Nets have Jason Kidd and three seasons of Dr. J in the ABA.  The Lakers have 16 NBA championships and the Nets have 2 ABA titles.

So when you learn that the Nets have only been in seven "Winner Take All" games in franchise history to the Lakers' 26, it shouldn't surprise you. By "Winner Take All," we mean the final game of a series, that the winner of the game wins the series. That's either the fifth game of a best-of-five series, which the NBA used to decide first round series from 1984-2002, or the more popular seventh game of a best-of-seven series.

Starting with game seven of the 1970 ABA first round against the Kentucky Colonels, here's a history of all seven "Winner Take All" games in Nets franchise History, in which the Nets have a 4-3 record overall.

Start Here: April 29, 1970
Nets History

Jason Collins Nets Stats

Posted on: April 29th, 2013 by Rick Barry1971 No Comments

 

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Nets History

A History of Nets Overtime Playoff Basketball

Posted on: April 28th, 2013 by William Rausch No Comments

 

Saturday afternoon’s 142-134 triple-overtime loss to the Bulls in Game Four set a Nets franchise playoff record for points, because the basketball Gods have a cruel sense of humor. Or, it could have something to do with it being only the second triple overtime playoff game in Nets history.

Regardless of the cause, the loss was painful. Even though the wound of Game Four remains fresh, it’s never too early to contextualize this playoff OT game. In the 46 year ABA/NBA history of the Nets franchise, the team has played in eleven playoff games with bonus basketball. From three ABA overtime victories to yesterday’s heartbreaker, the Nets have a 7-4 all-time record in playoff overtime games. Here's a brief history of all eleven, starting with a victory over the Kentucky Colonels in April of 1970, and including Saturday's (expletive deleted) loss to Chicago.

Start Here: April 19, 1970
Nets , Nets History

Nets Aim for Franchise History vs. Cavaliers

Posted on: April 3rd, 2013 by Benny Nadeau No Comments

 

AP

Tonight, the Brooklyn Nets take on the Cleveland Cavaliers in Cleveland. While that match-up alone probably doesn’t even make the most hardcore of Brooklyn fans salivate, there is one historic reason to watch this game: If the Nets can pull off a victory without Joe Johnson and possibly Gerald Wallace, then they will guarantee a road record above .500 for the first time in the franchise’s history.... MORE →

Nets History

Former Nets forward O’Bannon’s lawsuit threatens NCAA’s economic model

Posted on: March 28th, 2013 by William Rausch No Comments

 

"There are millions and millions of dollars being made off the sweat and grind of the student athlete." - Ed O'Bannon (AP)

In two less-than-impressive NBA seasons with the then-New Jersey Nets and Dallas Mavericks in the late '90s, Ed O'Bannon scored only 634 points. But O'Bannon's impact on the sports world may prove to be far greater than two forgettable years in the Association: in 2009, the 6'8" former forward filed a lawsuit against the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the largest athletic enterprise on earth, and the suit is coming to a head now.

Despite an underwhelming NBA career, O'Bannon had a studly college run  in Bruin Blue. The UCLA star won the 1995 John R. Wooden Award -- basketball's version of the Heisman -- en route to a national championship and NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors.  Now that it's NCAA Tournament time, Dave D'Alessandro of the Newark Star Ledger caught up with the 9th overall pick from the 1995 draft to discuss his NBA days, life as a car salesman, and challenging the economic system of a multi-billion dollar industry.... MORE →

Nets , Nets History , Photos

The 30 Best Nets of All Time

Posted on: March 23rd, 2013 by Devin Kharpertian 20 Comments

 

30. Mookie Blaylock

A "coulda-shoulda-woulda," the Nets traded Blaylock (AKA Pearl Jam) after 3 seasons in 1992 for peanuts, only to see him flourish into an All-Star for the Atlanta Hawks.

Nets , Nets History

The last Nets NBA Finals Team: Where Are They Now?

Posted on: March 22nd, 2013 by William Rausch 4 Comments

 

After missing the playoffs since 2007, the 40-28 Brooklyn Nets clinched a playoff spot Thursday night in their inaugural season in Brooklyn thanks to a loss by the Philadelphia 76ers. In honor of this momentous occasion, we've decided to take a look back at the last Nets team to make the NBA Finals: the 2002-03 New Jersey Nets, who went 49-33, won ten consecutive playoff games at one point, and lost in six games to the San Antonio Spurs. That team stood in stark contrast to this year's playoff-bound Nets: the Jason Kidd-led roster ranked first in the NBA in defensive efficiency and 11th in pace, taking down opponents both by grinding out victories and by pushing the break. There are some names old Nets fans may recognize (Lucious Harris, Aaron Williams), as well as names current Knicks fans will recognize (Jason Kidd, Kenyon Martin).

It's been a decade since that New Jersey Nets team went as far as any NBA Nets team has ever gone, so we decided to ask: where are they now?
 
Start Here...

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Nets History , Nets News & Analysis , Video

Dr. J vs. Jason Kidd: Who Is The Best Net Ever? Battle of the Video Highlight Reels

Posted on: March 15th, 2013 by Rick Barry1971 2 Comments

 

Some controversy has erupted over Devin's verdict that Jason Kidd, not Julius Erving, is the best Net ever. Devin will be 'splainin himself soon enough, but in the meantime, enjoy these dueling highlight reels.

Dr. J

Jason Kidd

Full list of Best Nets Ever here.

Nets , Nets History

Do Any Of Our Readers Live Near Philadelphia? Because Avery Johnson Is Speaking At UPenn Tonight

Posted on: March 11th, 2013 by Devin Kharpertian No Comments

 


h/t Max Weisberg

Tonight at 6:00 P.M., former Brooklyn Nets coach Avery Johnson is speaking at the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania. The topic of discussion? "The Business of Basketball."

The Nets, ironically enough, are in Philadelphia tonight taking on the 76ers.

Do you live near there? Do you not have tickets to the Nets game? Bored and want to see what Avery Johnson has to say? Let us know.

Nets History

5 Worst Trades in Nets Franchise History

Posted on: February 21st, 2013 by William Rausch 18 Comments

 

Not every day was rosy for Billy King & Rod Thorn. (AP)

Earlier today on this trade deadline day, the holiest of trade days, we took a look back at the good: reminiscing about the five best trades the Nets franchise ever orchestrated, both in and for New Jersey and Brooklyn. But of course, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, and as a result, we've got to look at the other side too.

Here are the five worst trades in Nets history, starting in 2002. Buckle up.

Start Here: #5 (2002)
Nets History

5 Best Trades in Nets Franchise History

Posted on: February 20th, 2013 by William Rausch 8 Comments

 

Will Nets GM Billy King add to this list today?

Happy Trade Deadline Day! After 3 P.M. EST today, teams are no longer allowed to make trades, which usually results in a scramble to make moves as quickly as possible to get them in by the deadline. In the last 72 hours before the 2011 trade deadline, 50 players were traded -- including then-Utah Jazz guard Deron Williams to the then-New Jersey Nets.

In honor of today's basketball importance, let's take a look back at history: here are the best five Nets trades of all time.

Start Here: #5 (2004)
Nets History

Nets off to best start in franchise history

Posted on: November 30th, 2012 by Devin Kharpertian 1 Comment

 

With tonight's 98-86 victory over the Orlando Magic, the Brooklyn Nets now have a record of 11-4, which is their best start after 15 games in franchise history. The Nets started 10-5 in each of their back-to-back Finals years in the early 2000s, but have never won 11 of their first 15 games.

They've beaten really bad teams (#HelloOrlando, three times), but have also taken down the Knicks, the Clippers, and the Celtics twice. What's even more encouraging is that, other than the 30-point blowout loss against the Miami Heat, the Nets had a chance to win every game this season. You could argue that they weren't winning the game against the Golden State Warriors, but the loss to the Los Angeles Lakers could have easily gone the other way, and the loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves came after blowing a 22-point lead.

The Nets struggled early on finding a defensive synergy, but every game has seen them take a few steps closer to that -- after tonight's game, they're now tied with the Philadelphia 76ers at 10th in the NBA in defensive rating, with an even 100 points allowed per 100 possessions. They're 7th in the NBA in offensive rating, scoring 104.6 points per 100 possessions.

The Nets aren't the best team in the East -- and they'll have a challenge tomorrow night against that Miami squad again. But after 15 games, I'll gladly take 11-4 and tied atop the Atlantic Division.

Bring on the final 67!