History
Pages
Page One: 1976
- 1981
Page Two: 1981 - 1986
Page Three: 1986 - 1991
Page Four: 1991 - 1996
Page Five: 1996 - 2001
Page Seven: 2003 - 2004
Page Eight: 2005 - 2006
In a season of seemingly impossible joy, the Nets franchise, behind GM Rod Thorn, reloaded the Nets with the trade of Stephon Marbury for Jason "Cap'n Crunch" Kidd, the signing of Todd MacCulloch, and the draft of four rookies (Jefferson, Armstrong, Collins and Scalabrine), two of which would make a serious impact (Richard Jefferson was most impressive early and obviously, while the play of center Jason Collins grew by leaps and bounds). The good ship Nets was also blessed with the return from injury of two important elder crew members, Kerry Kittles and Keith Van Horn. Together, pushed along by the fast-paced Princeton Offense (championed by assistant coach Eddie Jordan), the incredible team-first play and insane passing of Kidd, along with the intensity of Kenyon Martin (the Kidd-to-Martin alley 'oop became this season's signature), the Nets won 52 games (a franchise record), finished first in Eastern Conference (for the first time ever), and made it all the way to the NBA Finals (ditto) while staying free of significant injuries – all major achievements for a team that had been tossed in squalls for decades. Of course, the dream was shattered when the Nets were Shaq-Foo'd by the Lakers in four straight games, but 2001 - 2002 was a truly amazing, mojo-altering season of dreams for our favorite franchise.
Highlights: The playoff run, featuring the best Nets game ever played (and potentially one of the best NBA playoff games ever), Game 5 of Round 1 against Indiana in which the Nets refused to lose.
Lowlights: Finally, a season nearly devoid of them. Martin's multiple suspensions for flagrant fouls were the worst events during a season in which the Nets lost more than two straight games only once all year.
Archive: 2001 - 2002 Season
2002 - 2003 Twice Bitten, Twice Shy (of a Title)
How quickly Netsfans became spoiled. The Nets, with the bitter taste of disappointment still fresh in their mouths following their ignomious sweep at the hands of the Lakers, retooled by trading Keith Van Horn for Dikembe Mutombo and signing Rodney Rogers and Chris Childs. But this leads to a wild mood-swing of a season, with a fast start and 10 game winning streak offset by a tough post-All Star break stretch, lots of questioning of coach Byron Scott's decision-making, and an uninspiring finish. Childs (nee Chrisco) is suspended before the season starts for being fat, is finally activated and then cut. Rogers, also fat, spends time being injured, in the doghouse and plain underachieving. Mutombo looks awkward trying to fit in, gets hurt and misses most of the season. Led by Jason Kidd and the burgeoning superstar in Kenyon Martin, along with a quickly improving Richard Jefferson in his first year as a starter, the Nets claim their second consecutive Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference crowns. The ugly duckling Nets then quickly became beautiful swans come playoff time, beating Milwaukee in six games, then sweeping Boston and Detroit and collecting a 10 game winning streak to reach the NBA Finals for the second consecutive year as well. Matched up against the Spurs, the Nets managed to even the series at 2 games apiece before two, um, sub-par games from Martin take the Nets' hope for a championship down the crapper in one of the worst displays of offense ever put together by two teams. Again, though, thanks to Rod Thorn, Kidd and the rest, the franchise has risen from the ashes to be a perennial powerhouse. And Netsfans couldn't be more grateful.
Highlights: Kidd's continued magic touch over the franchise. The 10 game winning streaks, regular season and playoffs. Consecutive playoff sweeps over the Celts and Pistons on the way to a second consecutive NBA Finals. KMart's growth. Jefferson's first season as a starter.
Lowlights: Chris Childs, and to a lesser extent, Rodney Rogers. The never-ending debate over Scott's coaching. The painful 19 - 0 ending run in Game 6 of the Finals.
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© 2003 Shawn Belschwender and Michael Kozlowski
