BY SAM LACHOW
1978-1979 Stats: 82 GP, 34.9 MPG, 21.6 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 52.2 FG%, 56.4 FT%
1978-1979 Advanced: 54.2 TS%, 52.2 eFG%, 17.9 PER, 102 ORtg, 102 DRtg, 6.5 WS
All-Star Team? No
Team: 37-45, lost in first round to Philadelphia 76ers (2-0)
The Nets drafted Bernard King with the seventh pick in the 1997 NBA Draft. King was an absolute stud at the University of Tennessee averaging a drop under 26 pointers per game while also averaging over 13 rebounds. King was an NCAA AP All-American in his last two seasons at Tennessee.
King was unreal in his rookie year with the Nets, averaging a 24-9-2 and adding 1.5 steals per game. King’s rookie season set multiple franchise records for the Nets. He broke the Nets rookie scoring record and made the All-Rookie First Team.
King was an explosive scorer and epitomized the position of small forward. He was also a powerful dunker as well an overall great defender. He additionally was known for putting up multiple 40-point as well as 50-point games.
In King’s second year with the Nets, the Nets finished 37-45, but that was good enough to make the playoffs. Though the Nets lost in their first round series against the Philadelphia 76ers, King had a massive series. In two games, King averaged 26 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game along with 3.5 assists and 2 steals. King additionally shot 50% from the field.
King ended up finishing his career with the Nets 12 years later. In the 1992-1993 season King retired with the Nets, averaging 7 points per game, with his career derailed by a knee injury. Still, King was great for the NBA and was a Nets legend.
Next: Orlando Woolridge
