The History of the Brooklyn Nets

by Evelyn D. Shah on May 16, 2023

The History of the Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets are a professional basketball team currently competing in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as an Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference member. The Nets franchise has a long and storied history that dates back to its origins in the American Basketball Association (ABA) in the late 1960s. 

Move to Brooklyn

In 2012, the Nets moved from New Jersey to Brooklyn, becoming the borough's first central professional sports team to play since the Brooklyn Dodgers left for Los Angeles in 1957. The move culminated in a long process in 2004 when real estate developer Bruce Ratner announced his intention to build a new arena in Brooklyn. 


Ownership Changes and the Move to Brooklyn:


The Nets were owned by a group led by Bruce Ratner and real estate developer Mikhail Prokhorov when they made the move to Brooklyn. Ratner had been working on the project to build a new arena in Brooklyn since 2004, and he purchased the Nets in 2009 to move them to the new stadium. 

The Barclays Center:


The new arena, the Barclays Center, was built in the heart of Brooklyn's Atlantic Yards development. The state-of-the-art arena seats over 18,000 fans for basketball games and is also used for concerts and other events. 

Initial Years in Brooklyn:


The Nets debuted in Brooklyn on November 3, 2012, in a game against the Toronto Raptors. The team was led by All-Star point guard Deron Williams and featured several other talented players, including Brook Lopez and Joe Johnson.


The team struggled in its first year in Brooklyn, finishing with a record of 49-33 and losing to the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the playoffs. However, the team continued to improve in the following years, making the playoffs in each of its first three seasons in Brooklyn.



Sources:

"Barclays Center" BarclaysCenter.com, https://www.barclayscenter.com/

The Brooklyn Era


The Brooklyn Nets have had a successful run since their move to the borough in 2012. This chapter covers the rebranding of the team, its key players and coaches, and some of the milestones and achievements of the Brooklyn Era. 

The Rebranding and the New Logo:


The Nets rebranded significantly in 2012, coinciding with their move to Brooklyn. The team's new logo featured a simple, black-and-white design inspired by the team's history in the ABA. The team also adopted a new color scheme of black and white, with accents of gray. 

The Kevin Garnett-Paul Pierce Era:


In 2013, the Nets made a big splash by acquiring All-Star forwards Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce in a trade with the Boston Celtics. The move was seen as an attempt to win a championship in the short term, but the Nets fell short of expectations, losing in the second round of the playoffs in their first season with Garnett and Pierce. 

The Kenny Atkinson Era:


After the disappointing results of the Garnett-Pierce experiment, the Nets shifted their focus to building through the draft and developing young players. This strategy was led by head coach Kenny Atkinson, who was hired in 2016. Atkinson emphasized a fast-paced, ball-sharing style of basketball and helped the Nets improve steadily over his tenure. 

The Steve Nash Era:


In 2020, the Nets hired Hall of Fame point guard Steve Nash as their head coach. Nash inherited a talented roster led by All-Stars Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden. Despite dealing with injuries and other challenges, Nash led the Nets to a solid finish to the 2020-21 season and into the playoffs. 

All-Time Greats:


The Nets have had several all-time great players, including Julius Erving, Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, and Brook Lopez. These players have left indelible marks on the franchise and have helped the Nets achieve some of their greatest successes. 

Franchise Leaders:


In addition to the all-time greats, the Nets have several players who have left their mark on the franchise through their achievements. These include players like Buck Williams, who holds the franchise record for rebounds, and Jason Kidd, the team's all-time leader in assists and steals. 

Notable Players and Moments:


Throughout their history, the Nets have had several notable players and moments that have helped to define the franchise. These include Jason Kidd's triple-double streak in 2002, Kenyon Martin's dominant performance in the 2002 playoffs, and the team's thrilling seven-game series against the Chicago Bulls in the 2013 playoffs.



Sources:

"Brooklyn Nets Franchise Index" Basketball Reference, https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NJN/

The Players


The Brooklyn Nets have had several talented players throughout their history. This chapter covers some of the all-time greats, franchise leaders, and notable players and moments that have helped to define the franchise. 

All-Time Greats:


Julius Erving is the most outstanding player in the Nets' history. "Dr. J" spent three seasons with the Nets in the ABA, leading the team to two championships and earning three MVP awards. Erving was known for his acrobatic dunks and ability to score from anywhere on the court.


Jason Kidd is another player who enormously impacted the Nets franchise. Kidd spent six seasons with the team, leading them to two NBA Finals appearances and earning five All-Star selections. Kidd was known for his exceptional court vision and his ability to make his teammates better.


Vince Carter spent five seasons with the Nets in the early 2000s and is remembered as one of the most electrifying players in franchise history. Carter was known for his high-flying dunks and ability to score from anywhere on the court.

Franchise Leaders:


Buck Williams is the Nets' all-time leader in rebounds, with 7,576 over his eight seasons with the team. Williams was a six-time All-Star with the Nets and was named to the All-Defensive team three times.


Jason Kidd is the team's all-time leader in assists and steals. Kidd averaged 9.1 assists and 1.9 steals per game over his six-and-a-half seasons with the Nets. He also helped lead the team to two NBA Finals appearances.


Brook Lopez is the Nets' all-time leader in points, with 10,444 over his nine seasons with the team. Lopez was a consistent scorer throughout his tenure with the Nets and was named an All-Star in 2013.

Notable Players and Moments:


Kenyon Martin was the top overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft and spent four and a half seasons with the Nets. Martin was a key player on the Nets' teams, making back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003.


Richard Jefferson spent seven seasons with the Nets and was a key player who made the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003. Jefferson was known for his athleticism and ability to score from anywhere on the court.


The Nets' seven-game series against the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 2013 playoffs is one of the most memorable moments in franchise history. The Nets lost the series but played hard and showed they were a team to be reckoned with in the Eastern Conference.



Sources:

"Brooklyn Nets Franchise Index" Basketball Reference, https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NJN/

Achievements and Challenges


The Brooklyn Nets have had their share of achievements and challenges throughout history. This chapter covers some of the team's championships and playoff runs, as well as ownership and front-office changes that have presented challenges for the franchise. 

Championships and Finals Appearances:


The Nets have won two championships in their history, both in the ABA. Julius Erving led the team to win the ABA championship in 1974 and 1976. The team also made back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003, but they lost both times to the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs, respectively. 

Playoff Runs and Memorable Seasons:


The Nets have had several memorable playoff runs throughout their history. The team made the playoffs for six consecutive seasons from 2002 to 2007, and they made the playoffs in each of their first three seasons in Brooklyn from 2013 to 2015. The team's 2013 playoff run, which saw them advance to the second round before losing to the Miami Heat, is one of the most memorable moments in franchise history. 

Ownership and Front Office Changes:


The Nets have had several ownership and front-office changes over the years. The team was purchased by Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov in 2010, and he oversaw the team's move to Brooklyn in 2012. However, Prokhorov sold a majority stake in the group to Joseph Tsai in 2019.


The Nets have also had several changes in their front office. In 2016, the team hired Sean Marks as their general manager, and he has overseen a period of rebuilding and development for the franchise. Marks has been instrumental in the team's recent successes, including acquiring Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in 2019.


Overall, the Nets have faced several challenges and achieved great success over the years. With a talented roster and a dedicated fan base, the future looks bright for the Brooklyn Nets.



Sources:

"Brooklyn Nets Franchise Index" Basketball Reference, https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NJN/

The Fan Base and Community


The Brooklyn Nets have a loyal fan base and have been actively involved in the community since their move to Brooklyn in 2012. This chapter covers the team's fan base, community involvement, and the franchise's future in Brooklyn. 

The Brooklyn Fan Base:


Since their move to Brooklyn, the Nets have developed a dedicated fan base in the borough and beyond. The team's new logo and branding have been well-received, attracting several high-profile fans, including Jay-Z and Jerry Seinfeld.


The Nets have also successfully built a diverse fan base that reflects the borough's diversity. The team has made a concerted effort to reach out to underrepresented communities and to provide affordable ticket options for fans.

The Nets in the Community:


The Nets have been actively involved in the community since their move to Brooklyn. The team has partnered with several local organizations and charities to support various causes, including education, youth development, and social justice.


In 2013, the Nets launched the Brooklyn Nets Foundation, dedicated to improving the lives of children and families in the community. The foundation has provided millions of dollars in grants to local organizations and has supported several initiatives, including after-school programs and youth basketball leagues.

The Future of the Brooklyn Nets:


The future looks bright for the Brooklyn Nets, with a talented roster and a solid front office. The team's recent success has helped to raise the franchise profile, and the Nets are poised to be contenders in the Eastern Conference for years to come.


The team's move to Brooklyn has also helped to solidify its place in the borough's cultural landscape. The Nets are an essential part of the community, and the team is committed to being a positive force for change in the years ahead.



Sources:

"Brooklyn Nets: Jay-Z and Beyonce Are On Board, But Who Else?" Forbes, https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanaglass/2012/09/27/brooklyn-nets-jay-z-and-beyonce-are-on-board-but-who-else/?sh=5472d2ff3dd3

FAQs

What were the Brooklyn Nets called before?

Before they were known as the Brooklyn Nets, the team was known by several names. The group began as the New Jersey Americans, founded in 1967 as part of the ABA. The team then changed its name to the New York Nets in 1968 when it moved to Long Island. The team played as the New York Nets for several seasons before returning to New Jersey in 1977 and becoming the New Jersey Nets. The team kept this name until its move to Brooklyn in 2012, when it rebranded as the Brooklyn Nets.

What are some historical facts about the Brooklyn Nets?

Here are some historical facts about the Brooklyn Nets: The Brooklyn Nets were founded as the New Jersey Americans in 1967 as part of the American Basketball Association (ABA). The team won two ABA championships in the 1970s, led by the legendary Julius Erving, also known as "Dr. J." The Nets joined the NBA in 1976 as part of the ABA-NBA merger. The Nets made two NBA Finals appearances in the early 2000s but lost both times. The Nets moved to Brooklyn in 2012, becoming the first central professional sports team to play in the borough since the Brooklyn Dodgers left for Los Angeles in 1957. The team's new arena, the Barclays Center, was built in the heart of Brooklyn's Atlantic Yards development and seats over 18,000 fans for basketball games. The Nets have had several all-time great players, including Julius Erving, Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, and Brook Lopez. The team has been actively involved in the community since its move to Brooklyn, partnering with local organizations and charities to support various causes. The Nets have undergone several ownership and front-office changes over the years. Still, the team is poised for success in the years ahead with a talented roster and a solid front office led by general manager Sean Marks. The Nets have a dedicated fan base in the borough and beyond, and the team is committed to being a positive force for change in the community.

Why did the Nets move to Brooklyn?

The Nets moved to Brooklyn in 2012 for several reasons. One of the primary reasons was to tap into the growing market for professional sports in the borough, which had been without a central professional sports team since the Brooklyn Dodgers left for Los Angeles in 1957. Another reason for the move was to take advantage of the new Barclays Center, a state-of-the-art arena built in the heart of Brooklyn's Atlantic Yards development. The hall was designed to be a multi-purpose venue capable of hosting basketball games, concerts, and other events. The move to Brooklyn also allowed the team to rebrand and establish a new identity. The team's new logo and branding were well-received, and the team's move to Brooklyn helped to raise the franchise's profile.

Evelyn D. Shah

Evelyn D. Shah is a seasoned sports blogger with 15 years of experience covering the NFL. Throughout her career, she has established herself as a reliable news source and analysis for football fans worldwide. Her passion for the sport is evident in her writing, as she delivers insightful and engaging content on various topics related to the NFL. With her extensive knowledge and expertise, Evelyn is a trusted voice in the world of sports journalism and continues to be a go-to resource for all things NFL. 

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