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Brooklyn Nets: 10 best Nets from 3rd NBA decade (1996-2006)

By Phil Watson

SAN ANTONIO - JUNE 6: Jason Kidd #5 and Richard Jefferson #24 of the New Jersey Nets walk to the bench in Game two of the 2003 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at SBC Center on June 6, 2003 in San Antonio, Texas. The Nets won 87-85. 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. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO - JUNE 6: Jason Kidd #5 and Richard Jefferson #24 of the New Jersey Nets walk to the bench in Game two of the 2003 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at SBC Center on June 6, 2003 in San Antonio, Texas. The Nets won 87-85. 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. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /
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Brooklyn Nets
AUBURN HILLS, MI – MAY 20: Ben Wallace #3 of the Detroit Pistons fights for position with Kenyon Martin #6 of the New Jersey Nets in game seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2004 NBA Playoffs May 20, 2004 at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. 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 2004 NBAE (Photo by Allen Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

player. 147. . PF. 1st round, 1st overall from Cincinnati, 2000 NBA Draft. Kenyon Martin. 4

Despite a broken leg that cut short his senior season at Cincinnati, the New Jersey Nets selected national player of the year Kenyon Martin with the first pick in the 2000 NBA Draft and he was a steady contributor as the club grew from doormat to NBA Finalist.

Martin was limited to 68 games as a rookie, with his season ending early after he broke his right fibula again, but still earned All-Rookie first team honors by averaging 12.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.7 blocks in 33.4 minutes per game while shooting .445/1-for-11/.630.

Brooklyn Nets
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Brooklyn Nets

He was an All-Star in 2004 for the Nets, the only time he was selected in his 15-year NBA career, before being sent to the Denver Nuggets in a sign-and-trade deal in July 2004 that netted New Jersey two protected 2005 first-round picks and a protected 2006 first-rounder.

The picks ended up being a 2005 and two 2006s.

In four seasons, Martin missed 45 games with nagging injuries, but still put up 15.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.4 blocks in 34.1 minutes per game on .467/.219/.663 shooting.

He also appeared in 51 playoff games from 2002-04, averaging 18.1 points,  8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.4 blocks in 37.9 minutes a night while shooting .457/.125/.705.

Though Martin was never named to an All-Defensive team, he was in the top five in the NBA in Defensive Rating in both 2002-03 and 2003-04.

He played seven seasons in Denver before bouncing around through China and with the Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks over parts of 15 NBA seasons. He never played in the league after he was waived by the Bucks in February 2015.

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