All-Time Nets All Stars, Point Guard Edition: Primetime Kenny Anderson

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1993-1994 Stats: 82 GP, 38.2 MPG, 18.8 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 9.6 APG, 1.9 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 41.7 FG%, 30.3 3P%, 81.8 FT%
1993-1994 Advanced: 49.1 TS%, 43.2 eFG%, 18.2 PER, 106 ORtg, 106 DRtg, 7.5 WS
All-Star Team? Yes
Team: 45-37, lost in first round to New York Knicks (3-1)

Kenny Anderson’s third season in the NBA with the Nets was perhaps his best ever as a pro. The 6’0″ Anderson averaged career highs in points and assists, and just shy of career highs in rebounds and steals. As the starting point guard on a 47-35 Nets team, Anderson — along with Derrick Coleman — was able to lead the young Nets to the playoffs.

Anderson used his absurd handles and craftiness to get into the lane with regularity. He led an offense that pushed the ball up and down the court with like no other Nets team in recent history. In fact, since 93′-94′, the Nets haven’t come close to averaging the 95.5 possessions per game that Anderson’s Nets averaged that season.

It was this elusiveness and ability to find his teammates on the fast break that gave Anderson and teammate Derrick Coleman the opportunity to represent the Nets at the All-Star Game in a season that appeared to boost the Nets’ franchise in the right direction.

Once Anderson was traded following his breakout 93′-94′ season, the Nets wouldn’t reach 45 or more wins in a single season for another eight years. When they did? It was the first year that Jason Kidd took over as the face of the Nets’ franchise.

Though Anderson didn’t shoot the ball particularly well that season — he shot just 41.7% from the field, with an effective field goal percentage of 43.2% — he was able to be something that the Nets truly needed him to be: a scorer who could create off the dribble and get his teammates involved.

Anderson’s career was always up and down and by his own admission, he never truly worked as hard as he probably should’ve to sustain his success. But the Nets were lucky enough to get the best out of Anderson and the 93′-94′ season will go down as one of the best ever for a Nets point guard.