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

2 of 11

BOSTON – 1981: Chris Ford #42 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket against Darwin Cook #12 of the New Jersey Nets during a game played in 1981 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 1981 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Darwin Cook. 10. player. 147. . PG/SG. Signed as free agent, July 17, 1980

Darwin Cook got a vicious indoctrination into the business of the NBA. Taken in the fourth round by the Detroit Pistons from the University of Portland in the 1980 NBA Draft, Cook’s rights were relinquished by Detroit less than a month later.

In July 1980, Cook landed a free agent deal with the New Jersey Nets and wound up spending six seasons with the Nets, primarily as a point guard but also playing some at the 2.

Live Feed

NBA Rumors: Is it inevitable Donovan Mitchell will end up with Knicks or Nets? /

Sir Charles In Charge

4 Teams that need to trade for Hawks' Trae Young immediately Soaring Down South

4 Trae Young trades the Hawks should consider FanSided

These NBA stars might switch teams sooner rather than later All U Can Heat

The Whiteboard: Wild cards who could reshape the 2023-24 NBA season FanSided

NBA Rumors: Ben Simmons in best shape of his life for third time in 3 years FanSided

He was a part-time starter, averaging 10.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.8 steals in 25 minutes per game for New Jersey on a slash line of .456/.208/.757.

Despite playing more than 30 minutes a game just once in his time with the Nets, Cook finished in the NBA top 10 in steals three times (fifth in 1982-83, eighth in 1983-84 and 10th in 1985-86).

In 19 career playoff appearances, Cook put up 8.6 points, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 22.0 minutes per game, shooting .389/4-for-21/.652.

Cook’s 464 games, 1,970 assists and 875 steals were the most by a Net in the 1976-86 period, he was third with 45 3-pointers (yeah, it was a different era) and fourth with 4,699 points.

Cook was traded by the Nets in August 1986 to complete a pre-draft deal in which the Washington Bullets agreed to pass on Pearl Washington in the NBA Draft.

Cook also played with the San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets in eight NBA seasons, while also playing for Scavolini Pesaro in Italy for parts of three seasons and doing two stints in the Continental Basketball Association.

Home/Nets All-Time Lists