Nothin' But Nets
Fansided

Brooklyn Nets: 10 best players from ABA era

By Phil Watson

UNIONDALE, NY - 1974: Julius Erving #32 of the New York Nets goes to the basket against the Indiana Pacers circa 1974 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1974 NBAE (Photo by Jim Cummins/NBAE via Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NY - 1974: Julius Erving #32 of the New York Nets goes to the basket against the Indiana Pacers circa 1974 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1974 NBAE (Photo by Jim Cummins/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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7. player. 147. . SG. Purchased draft rights from Kentucky Colonels. John Roche

The New York Nets acquired a native New Yorker when they purchased the rights to South Carolina star John Roche from the Kentucky Colonels in May 1971 and signed him shortly thereafter.

Roche was one of many who made the trek from New York to Columbia, S.C., in the late 1960s to play for legendary Frank McGuire with the Gamecocks and the Nets landing Roche, who had been picked 14th overall by the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Draft, was a coup for the upstart league.

Roche earned All-Rookie honors in 1971-72, averaging 12.9 points in 31.6 minutes per game.

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But it was in the playoffs where Roche exploded, averaging 23.6 points per game in helping the Nets to the ABA Finals. He got a chance when Bill Melchionni — New York’s All-ABA point guard — was hurt late in the regular season and ran with it.

Against the Kentucky Colonels in the Eastern Division Semifinals, Roche averaged 30 points per game as the Nets shocked the Colonels — who posted an ABA-record 68 regular-season wins — in six games.

But even after Melchionni returned, Roche was a key contributor, pumping in 37 points in a crucial Game 6 victory over the Virginia Squires in the division finals as the Nets staved off elimination before upsetting the Squires in Norfolk in Game 7.

But Roche never repeated those heroics, averaging 14.4 points a game in 1972-73 and falling behind John Williamson in the rotation in 1973-74 before being traded to the Colonels in January 1974 for Wendell Ladner and Mike Gale.

Roche played eight pro seasons in the U.S. and one in Italy before retiring in 1982 (he had also retired in 1976 and 1979).

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