When you talk about the greatest all time nets players, everyone immediately gravitates toward the flashy stuff. They think about the "Vinsanity" years in East Rutherford or the star-studded—if slightly chaotic—Brooklyn era with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. But honestly? If you really look at the history of this franchise, the guys who actually built the foundation aren't always the ones on the highlight reels.
It’s a weird team history. You've got the ABA glory days in New York, the gritty New Jersey years, and the modern Brooklyn glitz. It’s hard to compare a guy like Julius Erving, who was basically a god in the 70s, to someone like Brook Lopez, who just went out and did his job for nearly a decade while the team moved across state lines.
The Doctor and the Foundation
Julius Erving is the reason the Nets even matter. People forget he led the New York Nets to two ABA championships in 1974 and 1976. He wasn't just good; he was the best player in the world not named Kareem.
During his three seasons with the Nets, Dr. J averaged 28.2 points and nearly 11 rebounds. He won three straight MVPs. Think about that for a second. Three years, three MVPs. But because it happened in the ABA, a lot of modern fans sort of brush it off. They shouldn't. Erving was the one who pioneered the above-the-rim style that we see every night on League Pass now.
The Jason Kidd Era: Peak Nets Basketball
If you ask any die-hard fan who the greatest Net of all time is, most will say Jason Kidd. He arrived in 2001 and immediately turned a 26-win team into a 52-win Finals contender. It was like he flipped a switch.
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Kidd’s stats are nuts. He is the franchise's all-time leader in assists (4,620), steals (950), and triple-doubles (61). He didn't need to score 30 a night to dominate. He just controlled the entire game. Watching him throw lobs to Kenyon Martin and Richard Jefferson was probably the most fun this fan base has ever had. He took them to two straight Finals in 2002 and 2003. Sure, they lost to the Lakers and Spurs, but those teams were dynasties. Kidd made the Nets relevant in a way they hadn't been since the 70s.
The Guys Who Stayed: Williams and Lopez
Now, this is where it gets interesting. Buck Williams and Brook Lopez are the "workhorses" of the list.
Buck Williams is often the forgotten man. He played 635 games for the Nets in the 80s. He’s the franchise leader in total rebounds with 7,576. For seven of his eight seasons in New Jersey, he averaged a double-double. He was a three-time All-Star and the 1982 Rookie of the Year. Basically, he was the heart of the team during a decade where they were often overshadowed by the Celtics and Sixers.
Then there’s Brook Lopez. Brook is actually the franchise's all-time leading scorer with 10,444 points. He beat Buck Williams' record by just four points! It’s kinda wild to think about. He survived multiple rebuilds, coaching changes, and the move to Brooklyn. He even started shooting threes late in his Nets career, which completely changed his game.
Why the Modern Superstars are a Mixed Bag
You can't talk about all time nets players without mentioning the recent "Big Three" era. Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden.
On paper, this was the most talented roster in NBA history. Kevin Durant’s numbers in Brooklyn were staggering—he averaged 29.0 points per game, which is the highest scoring average in team history. He shot 40% from deep and was a walking bucket.
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But longevity matters.
KD only played 129 games for the Nets. Vince Carter, by comparison, played 374 games and averaged 23.6 points. Carter gets a lot of love because he actually played through his prime in New Jersey, giving fans years of "Half Man, Half Amazing" dunks. Durant was better, but Carter was there. It’s a classic "peak vs. longevity" debate that sports fans love to argue about at bars.
The Tragic Case of Drazen Petrovic
We have to talk about Drazen. He was only with the Nets for about two and a half seasons before his tragic death in 1993, but his impact was massive.
In the 1992-93 season, Petrovic averaged 22.3 points and shot nearly 45% from three. This was before the league became three-point happy. He was one of the first European players to prove that international guards could be superstars in the NBA. If he hadn't died, those mid-90s Nets teams with Derrick Coleman and Kenny Anderson might have actually won something.
Ranking the Heavy Hitters
It’s impossible to please everyone, but if we’re looking at impact, stats, and "Vibes," here is how the top tier generally shakes out:
- Jason Kidd: The undisputed floor general.
- Julius Erving: The legend who brought the hardware.
- Brook Lopez: The scoring king and Brooklyn's first true star.
- Buck Williams: The king of the boards.
- Vince Carter: The man who made the Nets "cool" for a new generation.
Richard Jefferson and Derrick Coleman usually sit just outside that top five. Jefferson was the ultimate "glue guy" who could also drop 20, while Coleman was arguably the most talented power forward of his era but struggled with consistency.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to dive deeper into Nets history or even start a memorabilia collection, here’s how to approach it:
Focus on the New Jersey era for value. While Brooklyn jerseys are popular, vintage New Jersey Nets gear (especially the 90s tie-dye or the early 2000s blue/gray) is becoming highly collectible. Look for Jason Kidd or Drazen Petrovic jerseys, as they hold their value better than the short-lived Durant or Harden iterations.
Watch the 2002-2003 Finals tapes. If you want to understand why Jason Kidd is so revered, don't just look at the stats. Watch how he manipulated defenses. It’s a masterclass in point guard play that isn't replicated in today's high-scoring, iso-heavy game.
Acknowledge the ABA history. The Nets are one of the few teams with a rich pre-merger history. Understanding Julius Erving’s time in New York gives you a much better perspective on why the franchise has such a chip on its shoulder compared to the Knicks.
Keep an eye on the current rebuild. With the team currently moving away from the "superteam" model, history shows that the Nets usually find their greatest success when they build through tough, high-IQ players—think Kidd or Buck Williams—rather than just hunting the biggest names in free agency.