The Nets franchise has been around since 1967. Before settling on the Brooklyn Nets name, the organization was called the New Jersey Americans, New York Nets and New Jersey Nets.
As an ABA franchise, the Nets have won two championships thanks to Hall of Famer Julius Erving. However, since becoming an NBA franchise in 1976, the Nets have zero titles, although they have come close to winning once.
Let's take a look at the five best Nets teams in franchise history.
5. 1971-72 New York Nets (ABA)
This team won 44 games in the regular season under head coach Lou Carnesecca. New York was a top-10 offensive and defensive squad. Basketball legend Rick Barry averaged 31.5 points per game to lead the way on offense.
The Nets began the 1972 playoffs by taking out the Kentucky Colonels in the Eastern Division Semifinals. After defeating the Virginia Squires in the Eastern Division Finals in seven tough games, New York was all set to take on the Indiana Pacers in the ABA Finals.
Unfortunately, the Pacers won the series in six games.
4. 2001-02 Nets
New Jersey captured 52 wins in the regular season behind the play of Jason Kidd, Kenyon Martin, Richard Jefferson and Kerry Kittles. The team was an elite defensive group, giving up only 92.0 points a night.
In the 2002 playoffs, New Jersey bounced the Pacers, Charlotte Hornets and Boston Celtics to reach the NBA Finals. Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and the mighty Los Angeles Lakers stood in Kidd's way of winning his first NBA title.
The Lakers wound up sweeping New Jersey.
3. 2002-03 Nets
Motivated to redeem themselves after getting swept in the 2002 Finals, New Jersey got back to the 2003 Finals. They won 49 games in the regular season and defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, Celtics and Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
New Jersey took on Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs in the Finals. The team was able to win two games this time. However, the Spurs won the series in six games.
2. 1973-74 Nets (ABA)
Julius Erving averaged 27.4 points per game in the regular season. The Nets won 55 games and had the third-best offense in the ABA.
To get to the 1974 ABA Finals, New York defeated the Virginia Squires and Kentucky Colonels. In the Finals, the Utah Stars would stand in Erving's way but Dr. J wasn't worried.
The Nets won the series in five games.
1. 1975-76 Nets (ABA)
Another 55-win team, the 1975-76 New York squad won the ABA title over the Denver Nuggets in six games.
Erving averaged 37.7 points, 14.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists in the six-game series. He was named the playoffs MVP after leading the ABA postseason in points, rebounds and win shares.
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