Nothin' But Nets
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Brooklyn Nets: 10 best players from 2nd NBA decade (1986-96)

By Phil Watson

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - 1993: Sam Bowie #31 of the New Jersey Nets rebounds against the Chicago Bulls during a game played circa 1993 at the Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. 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 1993 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - 1993: Sam Bowie #31 of the New Jersey Nets rebounds against the Chicago Bulls during a game played circa 1993 at the Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. 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 1993 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J – 1993: Derrick Coleman #44 of the New Jersey Nets dribbles against Detlef Schrempf #11 of the Indiana Pacers during a game played circa 1993 at the Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. 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 1993 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

PF. 1st round, 1st overall from Syracuse, 1990 NBA Draft. Derrick Coleman. 1. player. 147.

After a dismal 17-65 season in 1989-90, the New Jersey Nets entered the 1990 NBA Draft with the No. 1 overall pick for the first time in their history.

Syracuse All-American Derrick Coleman was their guy after he had averaged 17.9 points and 12.1 rebounds per game as a senior, marking three straight seasons of averaging a double-double for the Orangemen, as they were known at the time.

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Coleman was late to sign, inking a five-year deal just four days before the season opener. But he recovered well enough from the late start to play in 74 games, starting 68, en route to become just the second Net to earn NBA Rookie of the Year honors, joining Buck Williams in 1981-82.

Coleman was an All-Star in 1994 and was an All-NBA selection in both 1992-93 and 1993-94. He finished 10th in rebounding in both 1990-91 and 1992-93 while placing ninth in 1993-94.

But while he was in New Jersey, it was always something. Nagging injuries, surliness about his contract, concern about how many touches and shots he was getting — all of these things took away from the value of the Nets’ star.

Throw in an almost-Barkleyan tendency to loft 3-pointers and Coleman’s five seasons in New Jersey were good, but disappointing as a whole.

He missed nearly the first momth of the 1995-96 season while being evaluated for an irregular heart beat and on Nov. 30, 1995, the Nets dealt Coleman along with forward Sean Higgins and guard Rex Walters to the Philadelphia 76ers, getting back center Shawn Bradley, guard Greg Graham and forward Tim Perry.

With New Jersey, Coleman averaged 19.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.6 blocks in 35.8 minutes per game, shooting .461/.275/.770.

For the 1986-96 period, Coleman was the Nets’ leader in points, rebounds and blocked shots and was third in assists.

Next: Nets Best 10 Players From ABA Era

Coleman played parts of 15 seasons, including two stints with the 76ers along with stops with the Charlotte Hornets and Detroit Pistons, with his career fading away when he was waived by Detroit in January 2005.

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