Nothin' But Nets
Fansided

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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Brooklyn Nets
1989: Buck Williams #52 of the New Jersey Nets stands on the court during an NBA game in 1989. 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 1989 NBAE. (Photo by Rick Stewart /Getty Images) /

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

Buck Williams entered the second decade in the NBA for the franchise now known as the Brooklyn Nets as their established star, a former Rookie of the Year with three All-Star selections under his belt.

While his play slowed a bit, he remained a constant for his work on the boards even as the franchise fell into disarray around him.

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Williams had played five seasons with the Nets when this period began and he is the only player from the 1976-86 list to cross over to this one.

He earned his first career All-Defensive selection in 1987-88, a mean feat for a team that won just 19 games and surrendered the most points in the Eastern Conference.

Williams was third in the league in rebounding in 1986-87 and fifth in 1987-88, while also finishing sixth in field goal percentage in 1986-87 and seventh the following season.

In June 1989, Williams was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for center Sam Bowie and a 1989 first-round pick, ending his eight-year run in New Jersey.

Over his final three seasons, the ones in this 1986-96 period, Williams averaged 16.4 points and 11.3 rebounds in 35.7 minutes per game while shooting .551/1-for-5/.694.

He went on to play seven seasons with the Trail Blazers, appearing in two NBA Finals, and played his final two campaigns with the New York Knicks before retiring shortly after the lockout ended in January 1999.

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