Brooklyn Nets: 10 best players from 1st NBA decade (1976-86)

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UNDATED: Buck Williams #52 of the New Jersey Nets passes to a teammate circa the 1980’s during a game. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

1. player. 147. . PF. 1st round, 3rd overall from Maryland, 1981 NBA Draft. Buck Williams

It wouldn’t be fair to call Buck Williams a superstar, but during his tenure with the New Jersey Nets, he was a star and perhaps the NBA’s ultimate grinder — a double-double machine who defended and played efficiently on the offensive end.

Williams was the third overall pick out of Maryland in the 1981 NBA Draft by the Nets and stepped right into the fire. As a rookie, he averaged 15.5 points and 12.3 rebounds per game while shooting 58.2 percent from the floor.

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In the process, Williams achieved a couple of franchise firsts in 1981-82. He was the first Net named to an NBA All-Star Game and later would be the first Net to win a major NBA award when he was named Rookie of the Year.

For the next four seasons, Williams was a metronome in his consistency, never averaging less than 15.7 points or 12 rebounds per game, while missing just one game in his first five NBA campaigns.

He was add All-Star berths in 1983 and 1986 to his resume, along with an All-NBA second team selection in 1982-83.

From 1981-86, Williams averaged 16.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.3 blocks in 36.8 minutes per game on .550/1-for-15/.622 shooting.

In 21 playoff games, he put up 18.1 points, 12.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks in 42.2 minutes a night on .547/—/.640 shooting.

Forthe 1976-86 decade, Williams topped the Nets with 6,730 points and 5,023 rebounds, was second with 525 blocked shots and fourth with 409 games played and 392 steals.

Next: Nets Best 10 Players From ABA Era

He remained a Net through the 1988-89 season before being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. He ended his 17-year career with two seasons as a New York Knicks reserve.

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