NBA: All-Time Starting 5 of the Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets was formed in 1967 as part of the American Basketball Association. The Nets won two ABA championships in 1974 and 1976 as the New York Nets led by Julius Erving. They entered the NBA in 1976 during the merger and relocated in New Jersey a year later.

The Nets spent 35 years in New Jersey before moving to Brooklyn in 2012. The team had early success in the mid-80s making five straight trips to the NBA playoffs. But their most successful run came in the early 2000s with two straight NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003.

In New Jersey, the Nets produced a lot of great players. They have 11 former players now in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. The only problem for the Nets is they had many key players who did not stick around that long. Nevertheless, here is the all-time starting five for the Brooklyn Nets.

#5 Center – Brook Lopez

The all-time leading scorer in franchise history, Brook Lopez is arguably the best player of the Nets in the past decade. He was drafted tenth overall in 2008 and he was an All-Rookie First Team. However, the early part of his career was marred by injuries to his foot.

Still, Lopez developed into one of the best offensive big men in the NBA. He was named an All-Star in 2013 and he averaged 20.7 points per game that season. He will surely get his No. 11 jersey retired by the franchise someday when it is all said and done.

Honourable Mention: Center – Derrick Coleman

The first overall pick in 1990, Derrick Coleman was a beast during his five-year stint with the Nets. He was an All-Star in 1994 and made the All-NBA Third Team twice. Coleman led the Nets to the playoffs three times but the lack of help doomed them from the start.

#4 Forward – Buck Williams

The third overall pick in the 1981 NBA Draft by the Nets, Buck Williams made the All-Star team three times in eight seasons in New Jersey. Williams was a walking double-double machine as he led the Nets to five playoff appearances. However, he only made it past the first round just once, which was understandable because the East was packed with top teams such as the Celtics, Sixers, and Hawks.

Also known for his durability and was an iron man. He only missed a total of 23 games in his stint in New Jersey. Williams’ No. 52 was retired by the Nets in 1999, a year after retiring. He also served as an assistant coach and president of the NBA Players Association.

Honourable Mention: Forward – Kenyon Martin

The Nets had high hopes for Kenyon Martin when they selected him first overall in the 2000 NBA Draft. Martin became a vital part of the Nets’ two East Conference Championship winning teams. He was mostly known for his energy and heart but he definitely helped the Nets became relevant. His hard work paid off with an All-Star appearance in 2002.

#3 Forward – Julius Erving

Spending just three seasons in a Nets uniform, Julius Erving led the team to two ABA championships in 1974 and 1976. A generational talent, Erving can do it all as he can score, rebound, make plays, and plays defence. He honed his skills with the Nets before becoming a superstar with the Philadelphia 76ers.

While in New Jersey, Erving averaged 27.4 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. Despite the short tenure, Dr. J is seventh in the Nets’ all-time scoring. If Erving played more than just three seasons with the Nets, he easily gets the mantle of the greatest player in franchise history.

Honourable Mention: Forward – Richard Jefferson

Drafted 13th overall by the Nets in the 2001 NBA Draft, Richard Jefferson played his first seven seasons in New Jersey. He made an immediate impact for the team in his first season as he was a vital part of the 2002 and 2003 Eastern Conference championship winning teams. Jefferson ranks fourth in the Nets’ all-time scoring list.

#2 Guard – Vince Carter

Even though Vince Carter will always be known as a Toronto Raptors legend, he is also a legend for the Nets. Carter was acquired by the Nets in 2004 in a very lopsided trade. He helped the Nets make the playoffs times until he was dealt to the Orlando Magic in 2009.

In four and a half seasons with the Nets, Carter is third in points scored for the franchise. He lost a step during his stint in New Jersey but he became one of the best scorers in the league. He also made four All-Star game appearances with the Nets.

Honourable Mention: Guard – Kenny Anderson

Spending just five seasons with the Nets, Kenny Anderson had his best years in New Jersey. He was an All-Star in 1994 and he ranks third All-Time in total assists for the Nets. Anderson was traded in 1996 and his career was never the same, retiring in 2006.

#1 Guard – Jason Kidd

Arguably the greatest player in Nets history, Jason Kidd spent sevens seasons in New Jersey. He was acquired from the Phoenix Suns in the Stephone Marbury trade. Along with Kenyon Martin, Keith Van Horn and Richard Jefferson, Kidd helped the Nets become one of the most prominent teams in the East in the early 2000s.

Kidd led the Nets to two straight NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003 but failed to win the title on both occasions. The Hall of Famer ranks third in points, first in assists, and first in steals in the franchise leaderboard. The Nets retired his No. 5 jersey in 2013 while being in his first year as the team’s head coach.

Honourable Mention: Guard- Drazen Petrovic

One of the biggest “what ifs” in NBA history, Drazen Petrovic’s career and life were cut short by a tragic car accident in Germany in 1993. Coming off his best NBA season, he averaged 22.3 points per game while shooting 45 per cent from beyond the arc. Petrovic also made the All-NBA Third team during that season. He would have been the greatest Nets player of all-time if not for the accident.

Edited by Rahul Arun