The New Jersey Nets were 26-56 before they acquired Jason Kidd in July 2001. He quickly transformed them into a team that can win up to 52 games. Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson made a dynamic duo.
In 2002, the season after they acquired Jason Kidd, the Nets won the Eastern Conference and faced the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers had Shaquille O’Neil and Kobe Bryant. The Nets were swept by them. Shaq dominated the post and Kobe shot from the outside. No one were fully able to guard the two. If one were to be double teamed, the other was able score.
In the 2002-2003, the Nets trade Keith Van Horn and another player to obtain Dikembe Mutombo from the 76ers. This move didn’t work out because Mutombo sat out most of the season with a wrist injury. They were still able to win the Eastern Conference Championship for the second consecutive time. This time, they faced the San Antonio Spurs. They were tied 2-2. They lost game 5 of the NBA finals. In game 6, the Nets led the Spurs by 10 points with 10 minutes remaining, but the Spurs went on a 19-0 run to win game six and the NBA finals.
Following the 2003 finals, Kidd became a free agent and was urgently wanted by the San Antonio Spurs. However, Jason Kidd signed with the Nets, stating that he had some unfinished business. The Nets also signed free agent Alonzo Mourning. But he sat out due to kidney ailment.
In 2004, the Nets again won the Atlantic Division title, and they swept their rivals, the New York Knicks, in the first round of the playoffs. Unforunately, the Nets lost to the Detroit Pistons in 7 intense and heart felt games during the second round of the series. 2004-2005 looked like a gloomy season for the New Jersey Nets. Jason Kid was recovering from a micro-fracture surgery in both knees and Richard Jefferson expected to lead the team. They started 2-11, even when Kidd returned from his injury. However the Nets made a major trade by obtaining all-star Vince Carter from the Toronto Raptors for Mourning, who was later released by the Raptors, Eric Williams, Aaron Williams and draft picks. Alonzo Mourning was upset by the Nets, saying they betrayed him. Richard Jefferson was injured after the Carter trade for the rest of season. However, the duo of Kidd and Carter was able to get them the final seed of the Eastern Conference in the 2004-2005. They were swept by Shaquille O’Neil and Heat in the first round of the 2005 playoffs.
The Nets season was expected to be a bright season for the Nets and it was. The Nets won the Atlantic in the 2005-2006 season. They beat the Indiana Pacers to advance to the second round of the 2006 playoffs, but they were to face Shaquille O’Neil and the Heat. This was recognised as the rematch of the 2005 playoffs. They won their first game against the Heat, but lost 4 to the Heat. One of the team’s key defenders against Shaq was suspended because he failed a drug test.
The 2006-2007 was expected to be another great season for the Nets, but they finished at an even .500. Charles Barkley went as far to say the Nets would win the Eastern Conference. They lost the Atlantic to the surprising Toronto Raptors. They lost Nenad Krstic and they also lost Richard Jefferson for 2 months. They were still able to get the 6th seed of the Eastern Conference. They face the Toronto Raptors in the 2007 playoffs. They beat them to advance to the second round. They faced LeBron James and the Cavaliers. They won 4-2 in the best of seven series.
In the 2007 draft, they were able to pick Sean Williams. They then lost Mikki Moore to the Kings, but gained Jamal Magloire from the Trailblazers. Now in 2007-2008 season, they have released Jamal Magloire and Jason Kidd has been traded. It looks gloomy for the Nets. Vince Carter isn’t the high-flyer we once admired. It’s rebuilding time, rather the winning the NBA finals. The dream is over for the Nets. They flew straight to the ground.
By: BrownBalla
