The NBA is about to embark on its 75th season, which marks a great opportunity for fans, pundits and observers of all stripes to celebrate the league’s history.
Along those lines, USA TODAY has assembled a panel to rank the top 75 players in NBA history. Their list is a good one, and you can read their picks for Nos. 75-51 and 50-26 (subscription required). Their top 25 will be released Thursday.
Three figures with strong ties to the Brooklyn Nets franchise appear in the first two installments on the USA TODAY countdown.
James Harden is ranked at No. 40, tied with former Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets teammate Russell Westbrook. The three-time NBA scoring champion ranks 33rd in league history with 22,045 career points entering the 2021-22 season.
Current Nets head coach Steve Nash was tabbed at No. 37. Nash was an eight-time All-Star selection and two-time MVP during his playing days with the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers. Nash was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.
Jason Kidd, who helped lead the Nets to two NBA Finals appearances in seven seasons, was ranked No. 33. Kidd, a nine-time All-Defensive Team selection and 10-time All-Star, also was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.