Nothin' But Nets
Fansided

Brooklyn Nets: Top 5 Players From the 1980s

By Tyler Dencker

Nov 7, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New Jersey Nets former owner Lewis Katz is remembered by friends, family and NBA commissioner Adam Silver (fourth from right) between the first and second quarters of a game between the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Knicks at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New Jersey Nets former owner Lewis Katz is remembered by friends, family and NBA commissioner Adam Silver (fourth from right) between the first and second quarters of a game between the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Knicks at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next

3. Darryl Dawkins

At number three on the list comes Darryl Dawkins, one of the bigger names to ever wear a Nets jersey. Dawkins started off his career with the 76ers, where he soon became known for his backboard-breaking dunks. After seven seasons with Philadelphia, Dawkins became a Net, joining forces with stars Otis Birdsong and Buck Williams.

While many remember Dawkins on the 76ers, he arguably played his best days on the Nets. In his five seasons with the Nets, Dawkins averaged better points per game, assists per game, blocks per game, steals per game, free-throw percentage, and field goal percentage than he did with any of the other four teams he played for.

In the 1983-84 season, Dawkins averaged 16.8 points per game and shot 73.5 percent from the free-throw line, both career highs for a season. Dawkins was also a key player in the Nets’ success. The Nets made the playoffs every season he was on the team, except his last year in which he only appeared in six games. In the 1983-84 season (the Nets’ most successful season in the 1980s), Dawkins led the team in blocks per game and field goal percentage, and was second on the team in points per game and rebounds per game.

Dawkins is still the Nets’ franchise leader in field goal percentage (60.1 percent) and two-point field goal percentage (60.2 percent).

Unfortunately, like Micheal Ray Richardson, Dawkins was unable to put together a full career. Dawkins struggled with injuries, and he played his last full season on the Nets in 1984. While he remained in the league until 1989, he played a total of 26 games in his last three seasons. Regardless, Dawkins was a memorable player who gave Nets fans a lot to cheer about in the 1980s.

Next: No. 2

Home/Nets All-Time Lists