Tag: Kenyon Martin

Today in Nets history: Pistons take first game of 2004 East Semifinals

The Nets haven’t played many games on May 3 in the franchise’s history. That may be for the best.

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 Nets have only played three games on May 3 in the history of the franchise — and never won.

In 1984, Darryl Dawkins scored 31 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the third game of the 1984 Eastern Conference Semifinals, which New Jersey lost 100-93 to the Milwaukee Bucks (full box score).

Fast-forward 15 years and the Nets were playing their second-to-last game of the abbreviated 1998-99 NBA season. New Jersey was well out of playoff contention, ranked last in the Eastern Conference heading into their matchup with the Washington Wizards.

Stephon Marbury scored 37 points and had 10 assists, Kendall Gill finished with 18 points, eight assists and five steals, and Jamie Feick grabbed 19 rebounds to set a career-high (which he would break in the 1999-00 season) — but it was all for naught. The Nets lost 102-113 (full box score).

The last time the Nets played on May 3 came in 2004, when they started the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Detroit Pistons.

Only two Nets — Kenyon Martin and Kerry Kittles — finished in double figures. They combined for 25 points as New Jersey lost Game 1 78-56 (full box score).

Today in Nets history: Kidd, Martin secure series win over Pacers

Jason Kidd and Kenyon Martin combined for 60 points in the New Jersey Nets’ Game 5 win on May 2, 2002.

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 were coming off a sizeable Game 4 win heading into their first-round series finale with the New Jersey Nets on May 2, 2002.

After the Nets took a slight advantage in the opening quarter, the Pacers tied things at the half. The game remained knotted up by the end of regulation, and again after the first overtime period.

Then the Nets shifted into high gear and never looked back.

Kerry Kittles started the second overtime off with a big and-one. Jason Kidd then scored two baskets, as did Kenyon Martin. Lucious Harris and Anthony Johnson each nailed a pair of free throws, as well. Meanwhile, Indiana’s only response was a single Ron Mercer jumper — which came after Kidd’s first bucket — leading to New Jersey’s 120-109 win (full box score).

Kidd led the Nets with 31 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and four steals. Martin also had eight rebounds, finishing with 29 points. Keith Van Horn was right behind his fellow forward with 27 points, scoring 15 of his points from beyond the arc (5-for-8 from deep).

Ranking the top five power forwards in Nets history

Both times the Nets had the first overall pick in the NBA Draft, the team has taken a power forward. Was either the best in Nets history?

The Nets have had the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft twice since the franchise first took part in the event in 1977 after joining the league in 1976. In both cases, the Nets took power forwards, selecting Derrick Coleman in 1990 and Kenyon Martin in 2000.

Coleman spent five years in a Nets uniform, Martin logged four. Both helped New Jersey make the postseason multiple times, as well.

But which ranks higher on the list of the Nets’ best power forward of all-time? Does either get top billing?

Nets Wire examined the list of power forwards who’ve worn a Nets uniform over the years — having already gone through the Nets’ point guards, shooting guards and small forwards — and determined the best five in franchise history.

5. Larry Kenon

Credit: Malcolm Emmons – USA TODAY Sports
Nets Stats: 17.3 PPG | 11.1 RPG | 1.1 SPG

There are quite a few power forwards who had an abbreviated, impactful run with the Nets before quickly leaving town. Kenon, who changed his first name to Muhsin after his playing days, was the best of this batch.

He made the 1974 ABA All-Star Game as a rookie and helped the Nets win the it’s first of two ABA championships. Kenon wasn’t part of New Jersey’s second title run in 1975-76, but he was named an All-Star in his final run with the Nets in 1974-75.

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

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6

Today in Nets history: Kenyon Martin, Nets complete sweep of Knicks

After making the NBA Finals back-to-back years, the Nets started their 2004 NBA Playoffs run with a first-round series win over the Knicks.

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 reaching both the 2002 and 2003 NBA Finals, the New Jersey Nets showed in the first round of the 2004 NBA Playoffs they were going to be a problem for the rest of the Eastern Conference once again.

Carrying a 3-0 series lead into the fourth game of their first-round matchup against the New York Knicks, the Nets had no interest in losing a single game to their rival — and Kenyon Martin made sure that didn’t happen.

“K-Mart was having a monster night,” said Richard Jefferson said after Game 4. “We couldn’t get him the ball fast enough.”

Martin finished with 36 points and 13 rebounds in New Jersey’s 100-94 series-clinching win (full box score).

Jason Kidd was second in scoring for the Nets (20). He also had eight rebounds and seven assists.

“With all the talk throughout the year, that they were going to
catch us, that they were the better team, that they wanted to play
us in the playoffs, sometimes it’s fool’s gold,” Kidd said.
“Sometimes you wish for something you don’t want.”

Jefferson scored 13 points and Kerry Kittles chipped in 10.

Today in Nets history: Jason Kidd secures bounce-back win over Reggie Miller’s Pacers

The New Jersey Nets didn’t have an easy first-round matchup when they faced the Indiana Pacers back in the 2002 NBA Playoffs.

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:

Even though the New Jersey Nets were the top-ranked team in the Eastern Conference in the 2002 NBA Playoffs, Jason Kidd and company did not get an easy draw in the Indiana Pacers.

Jermaine O’Neal scored 30 points in the first game of the series to jump out to a 1-0 lead. Brad Miller scored 18 points, Reggie Miller had 17 and Ron Artest finished with 12 in Indy’s 89-83 series-opening win (full box score).

But the Nets weren’t about to let things get away from them in Game 2 on April 22, 2002. Jason Kidd (20 points), Kenyon Martin (19), Keith Van Horn (17) and Aaron Williams (15) each finished in double-figures in New Jersey’s 95-79 win (full box score).

Kidd was one assist shy of a triple-double, grabbing 10 boards. Van Horn and Kerry Kittles each had three steals apiece. Martin and Todd MacCulloch both blocked a pair of shots.

Today in Nets history: Kenyon Martin leads trio of double-doubles vs. Bucks

Jason Kidd, Jason Collins and Kenyon Martin helped the New Jersey Nets start their 2003 NBA Playoffs run on the right foot.

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:

One season after the New Jersey Nets were swept by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2002 NBA Finals, Jason Kidd and company were back in the postseason.

Though, in 2002, the Nets were the top-ranked team in the Eastern Conference. This time around, New Jersey had to face off against the seventh-seeded Milwaukee Bucks as the No. 2 team in the East.

But that hardly made a difference for the Nets in their first game in the first round of the 2003 NBA Playoffs. Kidd had himself a double-double, finishing with 14 points and 14 assists against Gary Payton.

“J-Kidd is one of the best point guards in the league,” Nets big man Jason Collins said after New Jersey’s 109-96 win (full box score). “Today he showed it again how good he is on the defensive side of the ball. On offense, he got us off to a great start. He did a great job against Gary Payton today.”

Kenyon Martin led the Nets with 21 points and 15 rebounds, and Collins also had a double-double, scoring 13 points and grabbing 12 boards.

“I wanted to let the Bucks know it was going to be a war,” Martin said. “Hurt, not hurt, I’m not going to back down. I wanted to put it in those guys’ minds that I was not going to quit.”

Kerry Kittles (18 points), Lucious Harris (17), Richard Jefferson (10) and Rodney Rogers (11) each finished in double-figures, as well. Harris was three rebounds away from posting a double-double off the bench.

RELATED: Ranking the top five shooting guards in Nets history

RELATED: Ranking the top five point guards in Nets history

Today in Nets history: Jason Kidd stuffs stat sheet vs. Warriors

On March 29, 2003, Jason Kidd had one of his many statistically impressive performances, this time against Gilbert Arenas’ Warriors.

With the NBA on hiatus — which NBA commissioner Adam Silver set at 30 days — and New York’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, placing a ban on gatherings of more than 500 people for the foreseeable future due to the coronavirus outbreak in the United States, no Brooklyn Nets games will be played for the time being.

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 major individual performances and key developments throughout Nets history:

Jason Kidd never has a problem filling up the stat sheet during his Nets career. So, even though the numbers he put up in New Jersey’s March 29, 2003 matchup with the Golden State were impressive, some might say it was just another night for the Hall of Fame point guard.

Kidd finished with 22 points, 13 assists, seven rebounds and five steals.

Richard Jefferson also scored 22 points in the Nets’ 109-97 win (full box score). Kenyon Martin — who suffered an injury in this game — and Jason Collins each scored 13 apiece, and Kerry Kittles had 10.

Aaron Williams scored 14 points off the bench for the Nets and Rodney Rogers added 11.

The Warriors were led by quite the cast: Antawn Jamison (28 points), Jason Richardson (20) and Gilbert Arenas (19).

Today in Nets history: Richard Jefferson throws a dunk contest at Madison Square Garden

On March 28, 2003, Richard Jefferson ran wild in the New Jersey Nets’ win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

With the NBA on hiatus — which NBA commissioner Adam Silver set at 30 days — and New York’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, placing a ban on gatherings of more than 500 people for the foreseeable future due to the coronavirus outbreak in the United States, no Brooklyn Nets games will be played for the time being.

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 major individual performances and key developments throughout Nets history:

Richard Jefferson threw down plenty of big dunks throughout his seven-year Nets career. During New Jersey’s March 28, 2003 visit to Madison Square Garden, it seemed like the forward wanted to get as many dunks out of his system as possible.

Jefferson finished with 39 points on 16-for-22 shooting. He also went 7-for-7 at the free-throw line, grabbed six rebounds and dished out four assists in the Nets’ 122-101 win over the New York Knicks (full box score).

“The ballboy asked me for my shoes at halftime, which they’ll do sometimes, and I said: ‘No, I’ve got another half to play. I can’t give these up. I’m feeling it tonight,”’ Jefferson said after the win.

Kenyon Martin scored 25 points for New Jersey and Jason Kidd had a whopping 16 assists.

Kenyon Martin’s son declares for 2020 NBA Draft out of IMG Academy

Kenyon Martin Jr., whose father was once a member of the New Jersey Nets, has elected to forgo college and declare for the 2020 NBA Draft.

The 2020 NBA Draft marks 20 years since the New Jersey Nets selected Kenyon Martin out of the University of Cincinnati with the No. 1 overall pick. Four of Martin’s 15 years in the NBA were spent in New Jersey. His one NBA All-Star selection came in his final year with the Nets, and Martin averaged 15.1 points and 7.6 rebounds per game throughout his New Jersey career.

But Martin’s days in the NBA are well behind him now. It’s his son’s turn to make an impression on the league.

Martin told Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN that his son, Kenyon Martin Jr., will not go to college, and he is declaring for the 2020 NBA Draft out of IMG Academy.

Martin Jr. posted the update on Instagram, as well:

View this post on Instagram

First, I would like to thank god for blessing me with the ability to play the game that I love. I would like to thank my family for being here every step of the way. I would also like to thank the coaching staff, the weight trainers, my teammates, and everyone at IMG who helped me through that chapter of my life. I appreciate everyone who has supported me and my decisions is up to this point. There was a lot of hate and doubt about my journey but I feel I’ve done what was best for me and now is the time to take the next step which is to Declare for the 2020 NBA Draft. It has been a lifelong dream of mine and I will continue to work day by day to prove to myself and everyone that this is where I belong. THE NEXT CHAPTER STARTS NOW LETS GET IT‼️

A post shared by KJ Martin (@kenyonmartinjr) on

Martin, a wing, measures in at 6-foot-7.