New Jersey Nets
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The New Jersey Nets are a National Basketball Association team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey. In 2004, the franchise was sold to Bruce Ratner.
- Founded: 1967, a founding member of the American Basketball Association
- Formerly known as: New Jersey Americans (1967-1968), New York Nets (1968-1977)
- Home Arena: Continental Airlines Arena
- Uniform colors: Midnight blue, White, Red, and Silver
- Logo design: A blue shield with the word "NETS" above and a basketball below traveling through a hoop
- NBA Championships: None
- ABA Championships: 1973-74 and 1975-1976
- 2004-05 Record: 42-40
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Franchise history
The franchise was established in 1967 as part of the American Basketball Association. Originally called the New Jersey Americans, the team changed its name and location to become the New York Nets. The team was renamed to "Nets" to rhyme with the two other professional sports team in New York: the New York Mets and New York Jets.
In 1972, two years after the acquisition of star Rick Barry, the Nets advanced to the ABA finals. However, they could not overcome the Indiana Pacers and lost the series four games to two. Barry left after that postseason, sending the Nets into rebuilding mode. The 1972 - 1973 season was one of disappointment, as the Nets only won 30 games. In the 1973 offseason, however, the Nets acquired Julius Erving, known as "Dr. J".
In the 1973-1974, with Erving, the Nets dramatically improved their record to a 55- win season. After Erving was declared the ABA's MVP, the Nets advanced in the playoffs and won their first ever ABA title. The next season also looked to be promising, but the Nets were stunned early on in the playoffs and were denied their second championship. However, the team rebounded in the 1975-1976 season. Erving again led them to a successful 55-win season; he also was named MVP again that year. After a grueling series with the Denver Nuggets, the Nets won the championship series and could boast their second championship in three years.
The next season the ABA merged to form the NBA. Hampered by contract disputes, the Nets were forced to send Erving to the Philadelphia 76ers, ending a highly-promising era. The year after the Nets joined the NBA, the franchise relocated to New Jersey, becoming the New Jersey Nets.
The next few years were disappointing, as the Nets compiled losing season after losing season, never advancing in the playoffs. In the 1983-1984 season, though, the Nets fielded what was believed to be their best team since joining the NBA. Led by Darryl Dawkins, Buck Williams, Otis Birdsong, and Michael Ray Richardson, the team finally had a winning season and advanced into the playoffs, beating the Philadelphia 76ers before falling to the Milwaukee Bucks.
However, the next few seasons yielded a shift from veterans to young players, as the Nets acquired Derrick Coleman, Drazen Petrovic, and Kenny Anderson. However, the team failed to advance in the playoffs, and after the stunning death of Petrovic, the others were traded.
In the mid 1990s, the team continually tried to rebuild, as the Nets brought in star after star, only to see them fail. Players, such as Stephon Marbury, Kendall Gill, Keith Van Horn, and Jayson Williams each played for the Nets a few seasons before being traded again. In 2001, though, the Nets acquired Jason Kidd, a perennial all-star. Under Kidd, the Nets advanced to the NBA Finals that season, but were defeated by Shaquille O'Neal and the Los Angeles Lakers. The following season Kidd again led the Nets to the finals, only to be thwarted by the San Antonio Spurs.
In 2005, after two disappointing seasons, the Nets acquired disgruntled star Vince Carter from the Toronto Raptors. Teaming with Kidd, Carter rallied the team from being more than 10 games out of the playoffs to gain the final seed in the Eastern Conference. However, the duo could not overcome O'Neal again and were swept by the Miami Heat in the 2005 postseason.
Rumors of Moving
In 2004 and 2005 there were constant rumors that the Nets were going to move back to New York. The owner has threatened to move the franchise beginning with the 2005-2006 season.
A proposed arena in Brooklyn is in the planning stages and if apporoved, the Nets would move across the Hudson River for the 2007-2008 season.
Players of note
Basketball Hall of Famers:
Not to be forgotten:
- Kenny Anderson
- Chris Childs
- Yinka Dare
- Kendall Gill
- Armon Gilliam
- Kerry Kittles
- Stephon Marbury
- Kenyon Martin
- Keith Van Horn
- Alonzo Mourning
- Jason Kidd
- Vince Carter
- Richard Jefferson
Retired numbers:
- 3 Drazen Petrovic
- 4 Wendell Ladner
- 23 John Williamson
- 25 Bill Melchionni
- 32 Julius Erving
- 52 Buck Williams
Current stars:
Coaches and others
Basketball Hall of Famers:
Not to be forgotten:
External links
- New Jersey Nets official web site (http://www.nba.com/nets/)
- InsideHoops.com Nets page (http://www.insidehoops.com/teams/new-jersey-nets.shtml)
- Official Summer Pro League web site (http://www.summerproleague.com/)Template:NBA
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