Nothin' But Nets
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Brooklyn Nets: Ranking the franchise’s all-time Big 3s

By Markeith Cook

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 25: James Harden #13, Kevin Durant #7, and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 25: James Harden #13, Kevin Durant #7, and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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SAN ANTONIO – JUNE 4: Kenyon Martin #6, Kerry Kittles #30, and Jason Kidd #5 of the New Jersey Nets watch from the bench in Game one of the 2003 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at SBC Center on June 4, 2003, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs won 101-89. 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 (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO – JUNE 4: Kenyon Martin #6, Kerry Kittles #30, and Jason Kidd #5 of the New Jersey Nets watch from the bench in Game one of the 2003 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at SBC Center on June 4, 2003, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs won 101-89. 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 (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /

2. Jason Kidd – Kenyon Martin – Kerry Kittles (New Jersey Nets: 2001 – 2004)

In the early 2000s, the New Jersey Nets became one of the most unlikely NBA contenders.

With the arrival of Jason Kidd via trade from Phoenix in June 2001, the former Golden Bear point guard became the team leader. Kidd entertained Nets fans with his excellent playmaking skills and clutch performances.

The Nets quickly improved from 26 to 52 wins in the 2001-02 season. Kidd accumulated three NBA All-Star appearances and two All-NBA selections from 2001-2004.

In the 2000 NBA Draft, New Jersey selected University of Cincinnati power forward Kenyon Martin with the first pick. K-Mart was an excellent post defender and rebounder. Martin also provided many highlights with his athletic finishes at the rim, and was a two-time NBA All-Star during his stint with the Nets. Though he predated Kidd’s arrival, his career certainly woke up when he got himself a legendary point guard.

Kerry Kittles was the longest-tenured member of the trio in New Jersey. The 6-5 shooting guard played eight seasons with the Nets. Kittles averaged a career-best 18.2 points per game in the 1998 NBA season. Despite dealing with injuries, Kittles was a productive player who provided effective scoring to help the Nets win the 2002 and 2003 NBA Eastern Conference titles.

The New Jersey trifecta defeated their East rivals Boston and Detroit to reach the NBA Finals. Unfortunately for New Jersey, in 2002, they were swept in four games by Shaq & Kobe’s L.A. Lakers team. The following season, Kidd and the Jersey guys lost to Tim Duncan’s San Antonio Spurs in six games. Kidd, Martin, and Kittles are the most memorable trio during the Nets’ successful early 2000’s NBA era.