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Brooklyn Nets: 15 best draft picks of all-time (updated through 2018-19)

By Phil Watson

Brooklyn Nets Jarrett Allen (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Brooklyn Nets Jarrett Allen (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Brooklyn Nets, NBA Draft
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – 1991: Kenny Anderson #7 of the New Jersey Nets shoots against the Golden State Warriors circa 1991 at the Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1991 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Kenny Anderson. 9. player. 147. . PG. New Jersey Nets (1st round, 2nd overall, 1991 NBA Draft)

The New Jersey Nets didn’t land back-to-back No. 1 overall picks in the lottery, but Georgia Tech point guard Kenny Anderson was going to be a key piece of their rebuild when he was taken second overall in 1991.

But Anderson couldn’t unseat incumbent Mookie Blaylock and played mostly as a backup as a rookie, struggling to find an offensive game while averaging 7.0 points and 3.2 assists in 17.0 minutes per game on just 39 percent shooting.

Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn Nets /

Brooklyn Nets

Blaylock was traded to the Atlanta Hawks the following offseason and Anderson took over as the man at the point for the Nets. He blew up to averages of 16.9 points, 8.2 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 36.5 minutes a game before his season ended in early February due to a broken left wrist.

Anderson came back strong in 1993-94, earning his only career All-Star berth while averaging 18.8 points, 9.6 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.9 steals in 38.2 minutes per game.

But as the Nets slid back from fringe playoff team to lottery entrant in 1994-95, Anderson’s production tailed off to 17.6 points, 9.4 dimes and 3.5 boards in 37.3 minutes a game as his shooting once again turned south of the 40 percent mark at 39.9.

And in January 1996, it was over as Anderson was dealt with Gerald Glass to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Kendall Gill and Khalid Reeves.

In parts of five seasons with New Jersey, Anderson averaged 15.3 points, 7.8 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 32.8 minutes on a .409/.325/.810 slash line.

His career was far from over, but he would never again be a star during a nearly 10-year journey with the Hornets, Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors (for whom he never reported), Boston Celtics, Seattle SuperSonics, New Orleans Hornets, Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Clippers (whew!).

Anderson is third in Nets history with 2,363 assists and an average of 7.8 assists a game, fourth with a 38.6 assist percentage and ninth with an offensive box plus/minus of 2.2.

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