Brooklyn Nets: History of Nets in NBA All-Star Game
By Phil Watson
2006: Vince Carter
Vince Carter was having another strong season for the New Jersey Nets when he was named a reserve for the Eastern Conference in the 2006 NBA All-Star Game.
The Nets were having trouble, however, finding their footing and entered the break at 28-23, leading the Atlantic Division by 3½ games over the Philadelphia 76ers, but just fourth in the East.
Carter, in his first full season in New Jersey, entered the break averaging 23.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.2 steals in 36.8 minutes per game, shooting 44.1 percent overall and 34.0 percent on 3.9 3-point attempts per game in his 49 appearances.
But with Indiana Pacers forward Jermaine O’Neal sidelined by a torn left groin, East coach Flip Saunders of the Detroit Pistons replaced O’Neal in the starting lineup with Carter, with Gilbert Arenas of the Washington Wizards named to O’Neal’s spot on the East roster.
Carter logged 18 minutes in the game held in Houston, scoring five points with four rebounds, two assists and a steal on 2-of-5 shooting.
The East came back from a 17-point halftime deficit to get a 122-120 win on a putback by Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat with 16.6 seconds to go.
LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers was named MVP, scoring 29 points with six rebounds, two assists and two steals.
New Jersey caught fire down the stretch, going 21-10 after the break to win the Atlantic Division title and the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs that went with it.
The Nets took out the sixth-seeded Pacers in the first round, needing six games, but were bounced in five games by the eventual champion Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals.