Nothin' But Nets
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2K announces new New Jersey Nets classic team

By Kunal Kohli

PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 28: Gamers play the video game 'NBA 2K 17' developed by Visual Concepts and published 2K Sports on Sony PlayStation game consoles PS4 during the 'Paris Games Week' on October 28, 2016 in Paris, France. 'Paris Games Week' is an international trade fair for video games to be held from October 27 to October 31, 2016. (Photo by Chesnot/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 28: Gamers play the video game 'NBA 2K 17' developed by Visual Concepts and published 2K Sports on Sony PlayStation game consoles PS4 during the 'Paris Games Week' on October 28, 2016 in Paris, France. 'Paris Games Week' is an international trade fair for video games to be held from October 27 to October 31, 2016. (Photo by Chesnot/Getty Images) /
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As the release of NBA 2K18 draws closer, 2K Sports has announced all of the classic teams included in the game. The 2001-02 New Jersey Nets join the group of 17 new retro squads. There are 62 total classic teams in the latest rendition of NBA 2K.

The ’01-02 New Jersey Nets team is one of the most successful Nets teams in franchise history. It was the first team to reach the NBA Finals. Although the Lakers swept the Nets in the Finals, it was just the beginning for the New Jersey. The team would return to the Finals next season.

Jason Kidd led the team at the point guard. Kerry Kittles and Keith Van Horn were on the wings, with Richard Jefferson coming off the bench. Down low, Kenyon Martin and Todd MacCulloch manned the paint.

In addition to Jefferson, the bench featured names like Anthony Johnson, Donny Marshall, Lucius Harris and Jason Collins.

Team president Rod Thorn won Executive of the Year. Once upon a time, Thorn was actually helping the Nets and not making hurting them with poor decisions.

Prior to the season, the Nets were in a three year playoff drought. But Thorn dealt point guard Stephon Marbury to Phoenix for Kidd. Kidd then had one of his best seasons, making both the All-NBA First Team and the All-NBA Defensive First team. His performance helped the Nets reach the promise land for the first time in NBA history.

While the Nets have made the ABA Finals in their New York days, they did not make the NBA Finals until 2002.

The team also featured Brian Scalabrine. The 2002 NBA Finals marked the first time the Red Mamba reached the Finals. He would later win NBA Championships with the Boston Celtics.

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Kidd, Richardson, Van Horn and Martin are also on the Nets’ All-Time roster. For the first time, the game will feature rosters comprised of the best players in a franchise’s history.