The Brooklyn Nets All-Time GOAT Pyramid

The Brooklyn Nets are one of the most recognizable franchises in the NBA. They got their start in New York in the ABA, where they won multiple championships led by Julus Erving and hosted other stars such as Rick Barry. They moved to New Jersey in the NBA, where they welcomed the likes of Jason Kidd and Vince Carter and, although close, never did enough to house an NBA championship. In 2012, the Nets moved to Brooklyn, where they currently are one of the best teams in basketball, led by Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.

It should be noted that this will be solely an NBA GOAT pyramid, so no ABA players will be honored here today. This comes with all due respect to Julius Erving and Rick Barry, considering they are 2 of the greatest players in Nets history. Deciphering who goes where in the GOAT pyramid for the Nets is a tall task considering not many have stood out as MVPs or NBA champions. However, there are those who have accomplished more than others in a Nets uniform.

This is the Brooklyn Nets’ all-time GOAT pyramid

Tier 5

Darryl Dawkins, Sam Bowie, Deron Williams, Stephon Marbury, Kendall Gill, Chris Morris, Sam Cassell, D’Angelo Russell, Joe Johnson, Jarrett Allen, Caris LeVert, Devin Harris, Mike Gminski, Armen Gilliam

Tier 5 of our Nets GOAT pyramid kicks off with players who were either borderline All-Stars or happened to have made the All-Star Game one time with the franchise. Kicking things off is one of the best dunkers in NBA history, Darryl Dawkins. He played for the Nets for 5 and a half seasons from 1983 through 1988 and was a solid center for them during this time. He peaked in 1984 when he played 81 of 82 games and averaged 16.8 PPG and 6.7 RPG on 59.3% shooting.

Sam Bowie is, unfortunately, forever known as the guy drafted ahead of Michael Jordan in 1984. Bowie was on his way to a spectacular career in the NBA before injuries derailed those hopes. Bowie played with the Nets for 4 seasons from 1990 through 1993, where he had some of the best seasons of his career. In 1990, he averaged 14.7 PPG, 10.1 RPG, and 1.8 BPG in 68 appearances for the team. In 1992, he averaged 15.0 PPG, 8.1 RPG, and 1.7 BPG for the Nets in 71 games. Bowie’s career may have been cut short due to injuries, but he made the most of his time in New Jersey.

Deron Williams was one of the best point guards in the entire NBA during the 2000s and 2010s. Williams was traded to the Nets during the 2011 season and would spend the next 4 years with them in Brooklyn. Williams became an All-Star with the nets in 2012 when he averaged 21.0 PPG, 8.7 APG, and 1.2 SPG. Over the next 3 seasons, Williams’ production began to dip, but he was still a serviceable point guard available for 65 games a year. He averaged 15.6 PPG, 6.9 APG, and 1.1 SPG for the Nets before moving on in 2015.

Stephon Marbury was one of the more talented and electric points guards in the 2000s. Marbury could pass, shoot, score, dribble, and everything in between, his head just wasn’t in it at all times. Marbury bounced around a lot in his career, and his second stop was with the Nets after being traded from Minnesota in 1999. Over the course of his time with the Nets, Marbury was a 23.0 PPG scorer and dished out 8.1 APG. He was an All-Star in 2001, averaging 23.9 PPG, 7.6 APG, and 1.2 SPG.

Kendall Gill was a fan-favorite with the New Jersey Nets from 1997 thru 2001 and also one of their premier players at the time. In his first full year with the Nets, Gill became a 21.8 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 4.0 APG, and 1.9 SPG star. In 1999, he won the only steals title of his career, averaging 2.7 SPG in a lockout-shortened season. In 5 and a half years with the Nets, Gill averaged 14.9 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 2.0 SPG.

Chris Morris was a forward/guard hybrid player who was the Nets 4th overall in the 1988 NBA Draft. Morris would become a member of the All-Rookie Team in 1988-89 with 14.1 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 1.3 SPG. Morris would spend the next 6 seasons with the Nets after his rookie year, averaging 13.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, and 1.5 SPG over that span. Morris was never an All-Star or All-NBA Team member, but he left his mark on Nets history all the same.

Sam Cassell seems like he has made an appearance for at least every NBA team, but it was only 8 teams that ever needed his services. Cassell played 102 games for the Nets over the course of 1 full season and 2 partial seasons from 1997 thru 1999. In 23 games in 1997, Cassell averaged 19.3 PPG and 6.5 APG for the Nets, as they won just 26 games. In 1998, Cassell played 75 games for the Nets and averaged 19.6 PPG, 8.0 APG, and 1.6 SPG as their starting point guard. After playing only 4 games for them in 1999, the Nets shipped Cassell to Milwaukee in a trade that landed them Stephon Marbury.

D’Angelo Russell is another point guard who had a brief yet successful stay with the Nets during his career. After spending his first 2 seasons in the NBA with the Lakers, Russell debuted for the Nets in the 2017-18 season. In his first year, the Nets won just 26 games for the year, and times looked bleak in Brooklyn. In his 2nd and final season in 2018-19, Russell broke out. He became an All-Star averaging 21.2 PPG, 7.0 APG, and 1.2 SPG and helped the Nets improve to 42 wins and a spot in the playoffs. He was traded that summer as a part of the sign-and-trade to land Kevin Durant.

When it comes to pure talent in scoring, there are few players who possessed more than Joe Johnson during the 2000s and 2010s. Spent 3 and a half years with the Nets from 2013 thru 2016. Johnson averaged 14.7 PPG during his time with the Nets and was named an All-Star in 2013-14. In his All-Star season, he averaged 15.8 PPG on 45.4% shooting overall and 40.1% from 3 on over 5.0 attempts. Johnson was in his early 30s during his tenure with the Nets and mastered the mid-range shot at that point in his career.

Jarrett Allen didn’t become an All-Star until he was traded from the Nets, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t show flashes of that talent during his earlier days in Brooklyn. Allen was the Nets’ first-round pick of the 2017 NBA Draft and would spend the next 3 and a half seasons with the team. Allen was a double-digit scorer and feared shot-blockers with the Nets, as well as a very good rebounder. In his time with the Nets, Allen averaged 10.1 PPG, 7.9 RPG, and 1.4 BPG in 234 contests.

Caris LeVert was also shipped out of Brooklyn In a deal at the same time as Allen in 2021. LeVert spent 4 and a half years with the Nets from 2017 thru 2021 and developed into a serious offensive threat. LeVert spent most of his time coming off the bench in Brooklyn but was one of the better bench players in the league. He averaged 18.7 PPG and 4.4 APG in 2020 over a span of 45 games and 18.5 PPG in 12 games in 2021. LeVert was one of Brooklyn’s most consistent scorers over the course of his time there and just squeaks into Tier 5.

It is apparent that the Nets love to bring in guards who only stick around for a few seasons, as Devin Harris is yet another one who finds himself in Tier 5. Harris was brought into New Jersey during the 2008 season and shipped back out during the 2011 season. In between, he served as a solid starter at the point guard position. In the 2008-09 season, Harris became an All-Star for the only time in his career, averaging 21.3 PPG, 6.9 APG, and 1.7 SPG. He averaged 17.7 PPG and 6.9 APG for his 3 seasons with New Jersey.

Mike Gminski is another Top 10 pick of the Nets, selected 7th overall in 1980 out of Duke. Gminski would play 7 and a half seasons with New Jersey as their starting center for the most part. Gminski really became solid during his final 2 seasons with the Nets in 1987 and 1988. In 1987, he averaged 16.5 PPG and 8.2 RPG, while in 1988, he averaged 16.9 PPG and 10.0 RPG. Gminski would leave the Nets in 1988 via trade to the Philadelphia 76ers.

The final member of Tier 5 played just 3 seasons with the Nets in 1994, 1995, and 1996, Armen Gilliam. As their power forward, Gilliam had 3 great seasons for the Nets, appearing in all but 4 games during those 3 years. In 1995, Gilliam averaged 14.8 PPG and 7.5 RPG, playing in all 82 games. As their starter in 1996, Gilliam averaged 18.3 PPG and 9.1 RPG on 47.4% shooting. Gilliam wraps up a solid base to the Nets’ all-time GOAT pyramid.

Tier 4

Drazen Petrovic, Kenyon Martin, Otis Birdsong, Bernard King, Kerry Kittles, Keith Van Horn, George Johnson

Tier 4 kicks off the players who were on the verge of becoming stars and, at times, were stars during their tenure with the Nets. Drazen Petrovic played just 4 seasons in the NBA before tragically passing away in a car accident in 1993. He spent 2 and a half seasons with the Nets, where he became one of the best players at the shooting guard position in basketball. In 1992, he averaged 20.6 PPG on 50.8% shooting and 44.4% from three. He averaged 22.3 PPG the following season on 51.8% shooting and 44.9% from three before his untimely passing. There is no doubt that he belongs at the top of Tier 4 for the Nets.

The next player on Tier 4 is the Nets’ 1st overall draft pick in 2000, Kenyon Martin. As a big part of their back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003, Martin brought energy and attitude to the defensive side of the ball. He played 4 seasons with the Nets from 2001 thru 2004 and went to the only All-Star Game of his career in 2004. In his All-Star season, Martin averaged 16.7 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 1.5 SPG, and 1.3 BPG.

Otis Birdsong played the shooting guard position for the Nets from 1982 thru 1988. Over those 7 seasons, Birdsong was a consistent scorer and a sneaky good perimeter defender. Birdsong was named to the All-Star team with the nets in 1984 when he averaged 19.8 PPG, 3.9 APG, and 1.2 SPG. The following season, he just missed out on those honors but averaged 20.6 PPG, 4.1 APG, and 1.5 SPG. Birdsong’s tenure with the Nets resulted in 3 playoff berths and one trip out of the first round in 1984.

Bernard King is already a legend on the East Coast for his time with the New York Knicks during New York Knicks, but he was also a dominant scorer with the team in his first 2 seasons in the NBA. He was drafted by the Nets with the 7th overall pick in 1977 and made the All-Rookie team for the ‘78 season. He averaged 24.2 PPG, 9.5 RPG, and 1.5 SPG as a rookie with New Jersey. He averaged 21.6 PPG, 8.2 RPG, and 1.4 SPG before being traded to the Jazz in 1979.

Keith Van Horn was drafted by the New Jersey Nets with the 2nd overall pick in 1997. Van Horn was a solid scorer with a sweet shooting stroke from beyond the arc. He spent the first 5 years of his career with New Jersey and helped them advance to the NBA Finals in 2002. He averaged 19.0 PPG or better in his first 3 seasons with the Nets, peaking at 21.8 PPG in 1999. He was a 36.1 career 3-point shooter from beyond the arc and averaged 18.2 PPG in his career with the Nets.

The seventh and final member of Tier 4 for the Brooklyn Nets is George Johnson. Standing at 6’11, Johnson became an elite rim protector during his stint with the Nets from 1978 thru 1980. He averaged 3.0 BPG or better in each of his 3 seasons with the team and led the NBA in blocks in 1978 with 3.4 BPG. He also grabbed 7.0 RPG or better with the Nets and recorded over 250 blocks in all 3 years with New Jersey.

Tier 3

Vince Carter, Derrick Coleman, Kyrie Irving, Kenny Anderson, Richard Jefferson

Tier 3 begins the ascent from potential stars to stars and potential superstars within the Nets franchise. The first of our Tier 3 selections is Vince Carter, who had the best all-around 4 and a half seasons in his career with New Jersey. Carter was selected to 2 All-Star Games and averaged 23.6 PPG during his time with the Nets. Aside from being the power dunker, he was beloved as Carter was a complete scorer, with the Nets shooting 37.0% from three and 44.7% overall.

The next member of Tier 3 is going to be 1 of 2 Rookie of the Year winners in Nets history, Derrick Coleman. As their first overall pick in 1990, Coleman averaged 18.4 PPG and 10.3 RPG as a rookie to win the award. He would become an All-Star in 1994, averaging 20.2 PPG and 11.3 RPG. In his 5 years with the Nets, Coleman averaged 19.9 PPG, 10.6 RPG, and 1.6 BPG on 46.1% shooting.

Kyrie Irving has had a very up-and-down tumultuous few seasons off the court in Brooklyn. That being said, Irving has been spectacular when he has been on the floor for Brooklyn, with the 2022-23 season being his 4th with the team. Irving was an All-Star in 2021, averaging 26.9 PPG on better than 50/40/90 shooting splits, forming one of the best duos with Kevin Durant in the NBA. He averaged 27.4 PPG and 5.8 APG in 2022 and has the Nets rolling in 2022-23 as one of the hottest teams in the league. In his 4 seasons with Brooklyn, Irving is averaging 26.9 PPG and 5.7 APG on 49.0% shooting overall.

Kenny Anderson is a legendary figure in New York City basketball, so it is only right that he was such a beloved figure for the New Jersey Nets in his career. Anderson was a highly talented point guard for the Nets from 1992 thru part way through 1996. He was an All-Star with the team in 1994 when he averaged 18.8 PPG, 9.6 APG, and 1.9 SPG, narrowly missing All-NBA Team honors. Anderson played 304 games with the Nets and ranks 3rd in team history with 2,363 assists.

The final member of Tier 3 in Brooklyn Nets history is a key piece to their 2002 and 2003 NBA Finals teams, Richard Jefferson. Drafted 13th overall in 2001, Jefferson made an immediate impact upon his arrival in New Jersey with the Nets. Jefferson was more impactful to the 2003 team after he cracked the starting lineup and averaged 15.5 PPG, 6.4 RPG, and 1.0 SPG. He would average over 20.0 PPG twice in 2005 and 2008 and made 6 playoff appearances in 7 seasons with the team.

Tier 2

Buck Williams, Kevin Durant, Brook Lopez

Tier 2 is when we begin the players who were superstars or made a lasting imprint on their team history during their time there. The first of these players is Buck Williams, who the Nets drafted 3rd overall in 1981. Williams would play 8 years with the Nets and get named to 3 All-Star teams, win Rookie of the Year, and Make 1 All-NBA Team and 1 All-Defensive team. He averaged 16.4 PPG, 11.9 RPG, and 1.1 BPG in 635 appearances for New Jersey. Williams is the Nets’ all-time leader in games played, rebounds, and rebounds per game, as well as 2nd in points.

The next player to make an appearance on Tier 2 may come across as a bit of a surprise. Kevin Durant has also had an up-and-down few years in Brooklyn, but his talent has shined through each passing season. Durant is in his 3rd full season with the Nets and was an All-Star in each of his first 2 seasons, as well as All-NBA Second Team in 2022. He has taken the Nets to the playoffs the first 2 years with the team and is currently at 24-12 in the 2022-23 season. In his 2 and a half years with the Nets, Durant is averaging 29.0 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 5.9 APG, and 1.2 BPG in 125 games played.

The final member of Tier 2 is the Brooklyn Nets’ all-time leading scorer, Brook Lopez. After playing 9 seasons with the Nets in both Brooklyn and New Jersey from 2009 thru 2017, Lopez stood alone atop the Nets’ scoring list with 10,444 career points. In his 9 seasons with the Nets, Lopez averaged 18.6 PPG, 7.1 RPG, and 1.7 BPG. He made an All-Star team in 2013 and led the Nets to the playoffs twice during his time there. Lopez is also the Nets’ all-time leader in blocks, shots made, and offensive win shares.

Tier 1

Jason Kidd

With the presence of Julius Erving disqualified, Jason Kidd is far and away the Nets’ GOAT. Kidd was a two-way beast for the Nets during his run from 2002 thru midway into the 2008 season. Kidd led the Nets to 2 NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003 and was selected to 5 All-Star teams. He is the Nets’ all-time leader in both assists and steals, earning 3 All-NBA Team selections and 6 All-Defensive team selections while with the Nets. Kidd averaged 14.6 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 9.1 APG, and 1.9 SPG over the course of 506 games with the Nets and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest point guards in NBA history. 

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