Nothin' But Nets
Fansided

Brooklyn Nets: 10 best rookie seasons in franchise history

By Phil Watson

NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 01: Kerry Kittles #30 of the New Jersey Nets poses for a portrait during the 1996 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on September 1, 1996 in 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. Copyright 1996 NBAE (Photo by Walter Iooss Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 01: Kerry Kittles #30 of the New Jersey Nets poses for a portrait during the 1996 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on September 1, 1996 in 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. Copyright 1996 NBAE (Photo by Walter Iooss Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – CIRCA 1981: Buck Williams #52 of the New Jersey Nets looks on during a break in the action against the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1981 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Williams played for the Nets from 1981-89. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Buck Williams. 1. player. 147. . PF. 1981-82 New Jersey Nets

Buck Williams came to the New Jersey Nets as the No. 3 overall pick out of Maryland in the 1981 NBA Draft and, along with the arrival of new coach Larry Brown, helped the Nets post a 20-victory improvement and earn their first playoff berth since 1979.

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The 1981-82 season marked the Nets’ first winning season since coming to the NBA in 1976 and Williams anchored that improvement, averaging 15.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks in 34.5 minutes per game.

He shot .582/0-for-1/.624 as a rookie, earning an All-Star berth and winning Rookie of the Year honors.

New Jersey fell in two straight games to the Washington Bullets in the first round of the playoffs, with Williams averaging 17.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 39.5 minutes a game, shooting 538/—/7-for-15.

Williams was one of three rookies to receive MVP votes that season, along with No. 2 overall pick Isiah Thomas of the Detroit Pistons and second-round selection Jay Vincent of the Dallas Mavericks.

He was third in the league in rebounding and field goal percentage as a rookie and spent eight seasons in New Jersey before being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in 1989.

Next. Nets 15 best draft picks. dark

He was a three-time All-Star with the Nets, was named All-NBA in 1982-83 and All-Defensive in 1987-88.

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