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Brooklyn Nets: The Nets that made us fans

By Joshua Balasa

BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 6: A general view before the game between the Detroit Pistons and Brooklyn Nets on October 6, 2016 at Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 6: A general view before the game between the Detroit Pistons and Brooklyn Nets on October 6, 2016 at Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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UNIONDALE, NY – 1974: Billy Paultz #5 of the New York Nets looks on during a game circa 1974 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. 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 1974 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Billy Paultz

Standing just a shade under 7-feet, New Jersey’s own Billy Paultz was a towering figure in the ABA. With hair flopping around, The Whopper, as he became known, averaged a double-double in his time with the Nets.

With his wide frame and a great understanding of the game, he quickly became a big contributor to the mid-‘70s powerhouse that was the New York Nets.

With his rebounding ability and his soft touch around the hoop, he and The Doctor, Julius Erving, brought the ABA trophy to home to Long Island in 1974.

Watching grainy game film of him playing, you would be surprised that he was as good as he was. He was physically one of the largest people on the court and naturally dominated the paint, but the way he moved up and down the court resembled more of a rhino stampeding.

His size and stature only contributed to a great basketball mind.

As Paultz told the New York Times in 1981: 

"I have realized that I’m not the overpowering center. […] I have always been the type of player that can do a little bit of everything. I add defensive stability, can shoot when I’m in position, set picks to get people free and am smart enough to pick out the open man in double-team situations."

He shot at an even 50 percent as a Net and close to 73 percent from the free throw line. He was no Kareem, but he did have a smooth sky hook too.

In 1975, Paultz was traded to the San Antonio Spurs, where he spent most of his 15-year career.

He got another shot at a ring in 1981 with the Cinderella Houston Rockets, taking down the reigning champion Los Angeles Lakers in the first round, followed by the Spurs and Kansas City Kings.

See Also: 10 Best Nets Players from The ABA Years

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    After spending two more seasons with Houston, he bounced around, spending time in Atlanta and Utah before retiring in 1985. By the end of his 15-year career, he had made the playoffs every year he played professional basketball, both in the NBA and ABA.

    In 1997, as the NBA celebrated its 50th year with the announcement of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, special panel announced their own 50 greatest players to play in the ABA.

    Billy Paultz was named one of those players joining the ranks of Julius Erving, Artis Gilmore, and George Gervin.

    Today, in his late 60s, he resides in Texas, spending time as a car salesman, according to a 2011 interview.

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