ESPN’s “The Last Dance” has given those who weren’t able to watch Michael Jordan’s tremendous run in the ’90s a greater understanding of why so many consider him the greatest of all-time. But now Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s name has been brought back up in the G.O.A.T. conversation, and LeBron James’ name is always in the mix.
ESPN has yet to address where those two stand among the league’s best ever, but they’re counting down from No. 74 all-time. Along the way, the list has featured quite a few players who once dawned a Nets uniform, like Dikembe Mutumbo (No. 73), Bernard King (69) Alonzo Mourning (62), Bob McAdoo (59), Paul Pierce (54) and Kevin Garnett (20). Kevin Durant is also on the list at No. 14, but he has yet to play in a game for the Nets.
There are three individuals, however, who were more prominent in the franchise’s history that crack ESPN’s list, through No. 11. Vince Carter finished just behind Pierce, coming in at No. 55. Twenty slots later, Jason Kidd was ranked the 35th best player in the league’s history — five spots behind Steve Nash, who finished right behind Allen Iverson (29) and John Stockton (28).
Oddly enough, 20 more slots after Kidd came the man who led the Nets to two ABA titles, Julius Erving (15).