History
Pages
Page Two: 1981
- 1986
Page Three: 1986 - 1991
Page Four: 1991 - 1996
Page Five: 1996 - 2001
Page Six: 2001 - 2003
Page Seven: 2003 - 2005
Page Eight: 2005 - 2006
Being a Nets fan is not easy – just take a look at the history of the team. Originally founded as an American Basketball Association franchise in 1967, the team has had exactly seven winning seasons out of a possible 23 since joining the NBA for the 1976 – 1977 season. Pre-NBA, there is absolutely nothing to say except for Julius Erving and the 1974 and 1976 championship seasons. Many colorful stories in other years, some “interesting” players (“Super” John Williamson comes to mind), owners and coaches, but no reason to discuss this period of Nets history (for a short synopsis of the 1967 – 1976 years, see the History section of the Nets web site). Here now is the short version of Nets history, the NBA years, 1976 – present.
1976 - 1978 Years One and Two
Off on the wrong foot, literally. Year One, Tiny Archibald breaks his foot. Dr. J sold for $3 million in salary dispute. And the Nets are the worst team in the league with 22 wins. Just planting the seeds for the horror to come.
Year Two, the Nets “manage” 24 wins, again the worst in the NBA. Draft Benard King, one of the many good Nets players to be haunted by bad luck and/or shortened careers. Joe Netsfan’s memory banks are still seared with the visions of bad basketball from the Rutgers Athletic Center on the 5 inch black and white TV.
1978 - 1979 Ownership is a Privilege – Now Try to Act That Way
New, wacky owners Taub and Cohen make the playoffs with a 37 – 45 record – swept in 3 in the first round. Get accustomed to that kind of playoff performance.
1979 - 1980 Can't This Team Make a Good Trade?
Nets draft Calvin Natt and Cliff Robinson, two players with talent but not superstars, and trade King for tall and useless Rich Kelley. Keep Natt for 53 games that year, then trade him for “a way past his prime” Maurice Lucas. See title above.
1980 - 1981 Can't This Team Have a Great Draft?
Nets draft future coach O’Koren and Gminski – finish in last place AND hire Larry “carpetbagger” Brown as coach. If memory serves me correctly, Brown said he was in it for the long haul. Last place again.
1981 - 1986 | 1986 - 1991 | 1991 - 1996 | 1996 - 2001 | 2001 - 2003
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