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Brooklyn Nets: Top 5 Postseason Series

By Zach Cronin

Jan 2, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Brooklyn Nets head coach Jason Kidd yells to his team in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Brooklyn Nets head coach Jason Kidd yells to his team in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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3. 2002 NBA Finals

Okay, this series is less-than-memorable for a lot of people. The Los Angeles Lakers, led by the never-boring dichotomy that was Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, met the Nets in June, and it was like watching a bear fight a mosquito. It was over in four games — quick and painless.

However, the trek into June was the longest playoff run since the Nets won the ABA title in 1976. This same team had won 26, 31 and 16 games the previous three years, and all but one of their postseasons between 1976 and 2002 ended in the first round.

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Getting to that point was nearly a breeze, with the Pacers giving New Jersey their only real hiccup. The Nets dropped them 3-2 before handing the Hornets a gentleman’s sweep. In the Eastern Conference Finals, Kidd looked hell bent on reaching the NBA’s largest stage and averaged 17.5 points, 11.2 rebounds and 10.2 assists to drop the Celtics in four games.

New Jersey was competitive each night against the Lakers, and only one loss was by more than six points. As great as Kidd and Kenyon Martin were, the just didn’t have enough firepower. Additionally, Shaq was at the height of his dominance and averaged 36.3 points on 56.5 percent shooting for the series.