Nothin' But Nets
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Nets Fans Know Franchise’s Rich History Despite Constant Rebuilding

By Alexander Cuesta

Jan 5, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) dribbles in on Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) in the first half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Indiana Pacers beat the Brooklyn Nets 121-109. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) dribbles in on Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) in the first half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Indiana Pacers beat the Brooklyn Nets 121-109. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The life of a Brooklyn Nets fan is never easy. It’s made up of ridicule from other fans, from being known as the “other team” in New York City. It takes a lot of faith to remain loyal to a franchise that is only known for losing.

While fans around the league like to think of the Brooklyn Nets as a punchline, true fans know that the team has a proud history. There have been highs and lows, like any other franchise. Unfortunately, the lows are more frequently remembered than the highs.

At their lowest, the Nets are known for having one of the worst seasons in NBA history, posting a 12-70 record in the 2009-10 season. This season featured many forgettable moments. It was the culmination of losing Vince Carter, the final piece of the great NBA Finals teams of the early 2000s.

The Nets are also remembered for agreeing to one of the worst trades in recent history with the Boston Celtics. In 2013, the Nets acquired Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Terry for Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, MarShon Brooks, Kris Joseph, Keith Bogans, and three first-round draft picks (2014, 2016, 2018), as well as the right to swap first-round picks in 2017.

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That trade, along with the assets given up to acquire Joe Johnson and Deron Williams in previous trades, signaled the ultimate win-now mentality. Unfortunately, the Nets did not win a championship with those players, and instead, they mortgaged the future of the franchise. These transactions are responsible for the current rebuild the team is undergoing.

But possibly the most maligned memory of the Nets franchise is their handling of Julius “Dr. J” Erving. The Nets had been granted entry into the NBA from the ABA, but were fined by the New York Knicks for infringing on their territory. To pay for this, the Nets decided to sell Dr. J’s contract to the Philadelphia 76ers.

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Dr. J would go on to be one of the greatest players in NBA history. He would lead the Sixers to one NBA Championship and consistent trips to the NBA Finals. The legacy of Dr. J has left fans to wonder how different it would have been if he had stayed as a Nets player.

While the hiccups in Nets’ franchise are often highlighted, they have had their share of successes. From great players to being perennial conference contenders, they have been at the pinnacle of the sport, as often as they have been in the cellar.

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Players such as Drazen Petrovic, Derrick Coleman, Bernard King, Jason Kidd, and Vince Carter have donned Nets jerseys. With these players has come team success. They have had multiple Rookie of the Year winners and many All-Star selections.

The peak of the Nets’ success came in the early 2000’s when they made two straight NBA Finals appearances. They were the best team in the Eastern Conference and consistently competitive for close to a decade, making the playoffs for six straight seasons from 2001 to 2007.

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Loyal Nets fans are hard to come by, but the know that the franchise has experienced as many ups and downs as any other NBA team. They experience constant ridicule for their fandom, but remain loyal. They know that there is success on the horizon and have faith in the new front office. The franchise is going in a positive direction, and their core fan base will be there to see it to the end.