Nothin' But Nets
Fansided

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

By Phil Watson

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - MAY 1984: Buck Williams #52 of the New Jersey Nets shoots during the 1984 NBA Playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks in May 1984 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - MAY 1984: Buck Williams #52 of the New Jersey Nets shoots during the 1984 NBA Playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks in May 1984 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 11
Next
Brooklyn Nets
PISCATAWAY, NJ – CIRCA 1980: Vinnie Johnson #15 of the Seattle Supersonics drives on Mike Newlin #14 of the New Jersey Nets during an NBA basketball game circa 1980 at the Rutgers Athletic Center in Piscataway, New Jersey. Johnson played for the Supersonics from 1979-81. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

SG. Acquired in trade from Houston Rockets, Oct. 12, 1979. Mike Newlin. 8. player. 147.

Mike Newlin spent the first eight years of his NBA career playing second fiddle in the backcourt of the Houston Rockets to Calvin Murphy.

Solid but never a star, Newlin came to the New Jersey Nets during the preseason in October 1979, with only a 1980 second-round pick going back to Houston.

Live Feed

Golden State Warriors should target former All-NBA big for 14th roster spot
Golden State Warriors should target former All-NBA big for 14th roster spot /

Blue Man Hoop

  • Philadelphia 76ers bring back Danny Green for 2023-24 season The Sixer Sense
  • Lakers steal Bulls last chance at a free agency splash Pippen Ain't Easy
  • Golden State Warriors' pacific rival makes huge free agent signing Blue Man Hoop
  • Potential two-way center signs with rival after workout with Golden State Warriors Blue Man Hoop
  • NBA Free Agency: Pacific rival shows interest in Golden State Warriors' champion Blue Man Hoop

    • It was a steal for New Jersey.

    Newlin thrived in a larger role, averaging at least 20 points per game in both seasons he was with the Nets, showing some long-range touch and continuing to be one of the best free-throw shooters in the game.

    In his debut season, Newlin averaged 20.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.5 steals in 32.2 minutes per game while shooting .460/.296/884.

    He was even better in 1980-81, putting up 21.4 points, 2.8 boards, 3.8 dimes and 1.1 steals in 36.8 minutes a night on a .497/.333/.888 slash line.

    But New Jersey was looking to the future on draft night in 1981, sending Newlin to the New York Knicks in exchange for the rights to 12th overall pick Mike Woodson from Indiana.

    Newlin was a career 87 percent shooter from the line and in his two seasons in Jersey was fifth in the league in 1979-80 and third in 1980-81.

    Newlin would play just one season with the Knicks before retiring after being cut in October 1982. His 55 3-pointers for New Jersey were the most by any Nets during the decade.

    Home/Nets All-Time Lists