Tag: Billy Paultz

Where Rockets rank among the greatest nicknames in NBA history

“Hakeem the Dream” and “Clyde the Glide” are among Houston’s best contributions to elite NBA nicknames, but they’re far from alone. Here’s a comprehensive list through Rockets history.

The best sports nicknames are colorful accents that effortlessly add a dash of flavor to the games we watch and play.

Some originate as terms of endearment, while others are bestowed as labels of ineptitude. That got us wondering about where some of the greatest players in basketball history — such as Michael Jordan (Air), LeBron James (King James) and Earvin Johnson (Magic) — rank in the pantheon of great NBA nicknames.

Baseball, with its long and rich history, once generated vivid monikers such as the Sultan of Swat (Babe Ruth) and the Splendid Splinter (Ted Williams). But basketball, with its playground roots and hip-hop culture, arguably is the sport with the most imaginative sports nicknames today.

With that in mind, Thomas Neumann of Rookie Wire took a shot at ranking the 101 greatest nicknames in NBA history. See below for where players with ties to the Houston Rockets were ranked in that list.

All nickname commentary and history is from Neumann.

Today in Nets history: Bill Paultz evens ’72 ABA Finals with double-double

Billy Paultz and Rick Barry combined for 56 of the Nets’ 110 points in their May 15 win over the Pacers in 1972.

With the NBA on hiatus and New York continuing its battle against the novel coronavirus outbreak, Brooklyn Nets games will not be played for the foreseeable future.

For the Nets, as much as any team, this comes at an odd time — Brooklyn was battling the Orlando Magic for the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference standings. At the stoppage of play, the Nets had a half-game advantage over the Magic.

Since there aren’t any games, each day Nets Wire will highlight impressive individual performances and major moments throughout Nets history:

The Indiana Pacers gained the advantage in the 1972 ABA Finals with a win in Game 3, but the Nets weren’t about to let them steal two games in a row in New York.

After trailing at the end of three quarters, the Nets rallied in the fourth to win their May 15 matchup 110-105, knotting the series up at 2-2 (full box score).

Billy Paultz had a monster game, finishing with 30 points and 18 boards. Johnny Baum also had a double-double (10 points and 11 rebounds), and Rick Barry finished one assist shy of posting one himself (26 points).

John Roche (17 points) and Oliver Taylor (16) each finished in double figures, as well.

Today in Nets history: Nets win first ABA title

May 10 marks a major anniversary for the Nets franchise.

With the NBA on hiatus and New York continuing its battle against the novel coronavirus outbreak, Brooklyn Nets games will not be played for the foreseeable future.

For the Nets, as much as any team, this comes at an odd time — Brooklyn was battling the Orlando Magic for the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference standings. At the stoppage of play, the Nets had a half-game advantage over the Magic.

Since there aren’t any games, each day Nets Wire will highlight impressive individual performances and major moments throughout Nets history:

After the New York Nets took a 3-0 series lead in the 1974 ABA Finals, the Utah Stars forced a Game 5 on May 10 when they won Game 4 97-89.

Willie Wise tried his best to force a Game 6, leading both teams with 34 points, but Julius Erving and the Nets had other plans.

Dr. J scored 20 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, finishing with one of New York’s three double-doubles en route to a 111-100 Game 5 win and an ABA Finals title (full box score).

Larry Kenon led the Nets with 23 points. He also finished with double digits in the rebounding column (11).  Billy Paultz had the Nets’ third double-double (21 points and 12 rebounds), and he also had four steals.

Biran Taylor scored 19 points in the win and John Williamson logged 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Ranking the top five centers in Nets history

The Brooklyn Nets have a pair of talented centers in Jarrett Allen and DeAndre Jordan. Does either rank among the franchise’ five best ever?

When the New York Nets joined the NBA after winning the 1976 ABA Finals, centers were anchored to the paint. Now it’s common to see big men pull up from long-range nightly.

Though, that’s not necessarily the case with Brooklyn’s big men. Jarrett Allen can defend centers and power forwards who are able to stretch the floor, but The Fro isn’t pulled from deep — not yet at least. DeAndre Jordan certainly isn’t.

How the two will coexist in Brooklyn is up in the air, given Jordan’s relationship with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving and how similar the centers’ games are. But if the Nets go on to win a title with the two superstars in town, one or both centers could earn a spot among the franchise’s best bigs ever.

Having already gone through the Nets’ point guards, shooting guards, small forwards and power forwards, Nets Wire determined who are the best five centers in the franchise’s history through the novel coronavirus-induced NBA hiatus.

5. Jayson Williams

Credit: Getty Images
Nets Stats: 8.3 PPG | 8.9 RPG

Williams had a checkered career, and it took time for him to earn a major role in the Nets lineup.

After averaging 13.1 minutes per game in his 75 appearances for New Jersey throughout 1994-95, Williams saw his role off the bench increase the next season. The same thing happened from 1995-96 to 1996-97, earning a starting spot. However, he only played in 41 games.

The 1997-98 season was Williams’ best, earning his one NBA All-Star nod as he averaged 12.9 points and 13.6 rebounds per game. The Nets also snapped their three-year playoff drought this season.

Ranking the top five point guards in Nets history

Ranking the top five shooting guards in Nets history

Ranking the top five small forwards in Nets history

Ranking the top five power forwards in Nets history

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