Brooklyn Nets: Top 5 Players From the 1980s

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 /

5 of 6

2. Otis Birdsong

At number two on the list is Otis Birdsong, who was one of the Nets’ biggest contributors in the 1980s. Birdsong boasted a career that included four All-Star selections (one with the Nets), and an All-NBA Second Team selection. Birdsong also averaged an impressive 18 points per game over the course of his career.

While most of Birdsong’s major accolades didn’t come on the Nets, he was still a huge part of their success. Birdsong never averaged less than 10 points per game, three assists per game, and 0.8 steals per game on the Nets except in his second-to-last season with the Nets, when he only played in seven games. While his consistency was impressive, his contributions to the team were how Birdsong made his greatest impact. In his seven seasons with the Nets, Birdsong was never worse than third on the team in scoring, with the exception of his last two seasons. Furthermore, Birdsong led the team in scoring during the 1983-84 season and 1984-85 season.

It was clear that Birdsong was a huge piece of the team. When he was lost for the 1986-87 season, the Nets finished with a 24-58 record after years of flirting with the .500 mark.

Birdsong was considered one of the leaders of the Nets during the 80s, which is why he earned this ranking.

Next: No.1

Home/Nets All-Time Lists