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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UNIONDALE, NY – 1974: Dan Issel #44 of the Kentucky Colonels and Larry Kenon #35 of the New York Nets attempt to rebound the ball during a game 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 NBA Photos/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Signed Memphis Tams draft pick. Larry Kenon. 4. player. 147. . PF

The story of how Larry Kenon became a part of Brooklyn Nets lore is a microcosm of the ABA’s fast-and-loose nine-year existence.

Kenon declared for the pros after his sophomore season at Memphis State, where he averaged 20 points and 17 rebounds a game in leading the Tigers to the NCAA championship game.

The ABA held what it called a “special circumstances” draft in January 1973, with Kenon being taken by the struggling Memphis Tams.

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In May 1973, Kenon signed with the New York Nets. No deal had been made, no rights had been acquired. Rather, owner Roy Boe just signed Kenon to a deal in a classic case of asking for forgiveness rather than permission.

In September of that year, the matter was settled when the Nets were ordered to send Jim Ard and Johnny Baum to the Tams as compensation for the signing of Kenon.

It was worth the trouble. Kenon averaged nearly 16 points and 11.5 rebounds as a rookie, earning an All-Star nod while helping the Nets to the ABA title. He followed that up with a second All-Star bid while putting up 18.7 points and 10.7 boards in 1974-75.

But after New York was upset by the Spirits of St. Louis in the playoffs, the Nets dealt Kenon to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for All-Star center Swen Nater, who had beaten out Kenon for Rookie of the Year two years earlier.

Kenon went on to earn three more All-Star nods as George Gervin‘s sidekick in San Antonio and played 10 pro seasons in all.

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