Brooklyn Nets: 25 greatest individual games in team history
By Phil Watson
![CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 4: Deron Williams #8 of the New Jersey Nets takes a foul shot during the game against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 4, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 2012 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 4: Deron Williams #8 of the New Jersey Nets takes a foul shot during the game against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 4, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 2012 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/bf9ad86b4c28cef666d26153cae091b617d85c5f56ca54f16a67c3f0f435eb0c.jpg)
20. Derrick Coleman vs. Denver Nuggets, Feb. 15, 1991
Rookie Derrick Coleman had put his acrimonious contract negotiations behind him as the New Jersey Nets slogged through the 1990-91 season, with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft establishing himself as the club’s power forward for the immediate future.
It was two lottery bound teams who got together at Brendan Byrne Arena on Feb. 15, 1991, the 14-33 Denver Nuggets in their first season under coach Paul Westhead’s run-and-gun system, while New Jersey came in at 15-34, just two wins shy of matching their 1989-90 total.
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The Nuggets started Joe Wolf at power forward. Coleman feasted on Wolf for much of the night.
The rookie set a career-high which would stand his entire 15-year NBA career, roasting the Nuggets for 42 points while adding 14 rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks in a blowout 138-110 win for the Nets.
Coleman was 14-for-23 from the floor, played under control and didn’t attempt a 3-pointer, and went 14-for-20 at the foul line.
New Jersey shot 50.5 percent against the defensively challenged Nuggets, while forcing 19 turnovers and holding Denver to 42.3 percent from the floor.
It was the signature game in a Rookie of the Year campaign for Coleman in which he averaged 18.4 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.3 blocks in 35.2 minutes a game on .467/.342/.731 shooting.