Tag: Kerry Kittles

Ranking the top 5 draft picks in Brooklyn Nets franchise history

With the 2022 NBA Draft nearing, we look into the Brooklyn Nets top five draft picks in franchise history.

As we get closer to this year’s NBA Draft, Brooklyn Nets fans may be reminded of some great draft moments, which Nets Wire will be ranking in this edition.

The Nets have picked many talented athletes over the years with a wide variety of accolades, but today we’ll be looking at the top five draft picks in the franchise’s history.

The Nets joined the NBA following the ABA-NBA Merger back in 1976, before this year the team had not drafted a single player only twice(1998 & 2014) in their 40-plus seasons. The organization doesn’t have any picks in the upcoming 2022 NBA Draft, making the team’s pursuit of a rookie more challenging.

In the 2021-22 season, the Nets ranked ninth in the NBA in points per contest with 112, meaning a talented young scorer could elevate the team’s expectations. The Nets don’t necessarily need to upgrade their offense though, it’s their defense that needs work.

The Nets ranked 18th and 19th in the league in defensive rating and points allowed, respectively, proving that the organization has one major flaw.

As the organization goes into the 2022 draft, one can assume they’ll look into available trade picks via trade, but if not there’s a possibility their problems can be solved in free agency.

Who are the top former Villanova players in NBA history?

The Wildcats have produced some of basketball’s most beloved names. Who are the top former Villanova players in NBA history?

The Villanova men’s basketball program may not be as storied as Duke or Kentucky, but these Wildcats have more than earned the respect of their peers in college hoops.

Villanova won the title in 2016 and 2018, putting it in the same class as Gonzaga as one of the 21st century’s most potent teams. And Nova’s 1985 title as an 8-seed stands as the lowest-seeded champion in NCAA history.

Villanova’s stamp on college history doesn’t end there.

Under head coach Al Severance, the Wildcats won the inaugural NCAA Tournament game in 1939 and led the team to the first Final Four. Years later, Nova, Georgetown and St. John’s landed in the 1985 Final Four, marking perhaps the height of the once-mighty Big East. Although the Big East has changed in a big way, Villanova continues to represent the conference with pride.

Unsurprisingly, Nova has some very notable alumni who have gone on to have equally notable careers as pros. Let’s explore the top former Villanova players in NBA history.

Joe Harris joins Jason Kidd, Vince Carter in exclusive Nets group

Joe Harris has done something only three other Nets players have in the history of the franchise.

Joe Harris extended his franchise record of consecutive games with a 3-pointer made (65) in the first quarter of the Brooklyn Nets’ game against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday. While extending his streak to 65 consecutive games is certainly significant for Harris, there was more behind that 3-pointer.

That first-quarter three was his 600th 3-pointer made in a Nets uniform. Only three other players have ever made 600 or more 3-pointers while with the Nets: Jason Kidd (813), Kerry Kittles (687) and Vince Carter (638).

Of course, Kidd, Kittles and Carter each played for the Nets while the franchise was in New Jersey. That mean Harris is the first player to ever knock down 600 3-pointers while representing Brooklyn.

The franchise’s consecutive 3-pointers made streak previously belonged to D’Angelo Russell, who knocked down a long-range attempt in 61 consecutive games over in the 2018-19 season, his final year with the Nets before starting his brief Golden State Warriors career.

https://embed.sendtonews.com/oembed/?SC=IixHkI63O7-1090775-7498&autoplay=on&V=2&format=json

Joe Harris climbs ladder for most 3’s made in single-season by a Net

Joe Harris continues to rain down from the 3-point line for the Brooklyn Nets.

Last season, D’Angelo Russell set the Nets franchise record for 3-pointers made in a single season with 234. However, he was not Brooklyn’s most efficient long-range shooter in 2018-19.

That honor belongs to Joe Harris.

While the Brooklyn shooting guard made 51 fewer 3-pointers than his former teammate, Harris shot 47.4% from long range — leading the entire NBA.

This season, Harris isn’t shooting quite as well from deep, but he still entered Sunday’s matchup against the Washington Wizards shooting over 40% from deep (41.1), draining 154 of his 375 3-point attempts in 2019-20.

Entering Sunday’s game, Harris’ 154 threes put him at eighth-most threes made in a single-season in Nets franchise history. Fast-forward to the third quarter against the Wizards and Harris had knocked down three 3-pointers — surpassing Vince Carter (156) for seventh all-time for most 3-pointers made in a single-season.

Up next for Harris is Kerry Kittles, who made 158 shots from beyond the arc in 1996-97 for the New Jersey Nets.

Today in Nets history: Nets retake control of ’02 East Finals

The Celtics mounted another late comeback against the Nets in Game 5 of the 2002 East Finals, but New Jersey found a way to survive.

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:

Both Game 3 and 4 of the 2002 Eastern Conference Finals were tight contests. After New Jersey evened up the series 2-2 with a win in Boston, the Nets managed to maintain the momentum heading into May 29‘s Game 5, which was back at Continental Airlines Arena.

The Nets jumped out to a 15-point lead in front of their home crowd, but things got close again after the Celtics outscored New Jersey by 14 in the third.

This time, the Celtics’ comeback wasn’t enough. The Nets took Game 5 103-92 and with it, the 3-2 advantage in the series (full box score).

Kerry Kittles led with 21 points. Both Kenyon Martin and Keith Van Horn scored 19, with the latter scoring 11 of his points in the fourth quarter.

Jason Kidd had a double-double (18 points and 12 assists), as well as seven steals.

Today in Nets history: Keith Van Horn, Kerry Kittles come up big vs. Celtics in Game 4

The Nets needed one on the road in the East Finals. Kerry Kittles and Keith Van Horn made sure to show up, in addition to Jason Kidd.

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 losing Game 2 and 3, the New Jersey Nets had to steal a game in Boston to avoid going down 3-1 in the 2002 Eastern Conference Finals. The Nets jumped out to a 12-point lead after one quarter, but the May 27 matchup was a battle to the end.

Keith Van Horn had himself a double-double (21 points and 10 rebounds) and finished second in scoring to only Kerry Kittles (22).

Jason Kidd did what he does, finishing with 19 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and a steal.

But none of those three were the ones who hit the final free throws to secure the 94-92 win (full box score). Lucious Harris (12 points) went to the line with 6.6 seconds left in the game and gave the Nets the lead that would hold through the final buzzer.

Today in Nets history: Nets slip against Celtics, fall behind in ’02 East Finals

As the 2002 Eastern Conference Finals moved to Boston, the New Jersey Nets found themselves in a slight hole after Game 3.

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 losing Game 2 in New Jersey, the Nets visited the Celtics in Boston on May 25, 2002 with the hope of retaking the lead in the Eastern Conference Finals. The game was trending in that direction until the fourth quarter.

The Nets held a 74-53 lead heading into the final 12 minutes. The deficit seemed insurmountable, but the Celtics somehow rallied for 41 points to the Nets’ 16 in the fourth, en route to a 94-90 loss for New Jersey and 2-1 Boston series lead (full box score).

Kerry Kittles led the Nets with 19 points and Jason Kidd had a double-double (12 points and 11 assists). Kenyon Martin also scored 12 points and Aaron Williams pitched in 18 off the bench — 11 of which came in the fourth.

Today in Nets history: Richard Jefferson helps turn the tables on ’04 Pistons

After falling behind 2-0 in the 2004 Eastern Conference Semifinals, the New Jersey Nets found themselves in a position of power on May 14.

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 tying the series with wins in Games 3 and 4, the New Jersey Nets had the chance to get the upper hand on the Detroit Pistons in the 2004 Eastern Conference Semifinals with their May 14 matchup. It took three overtimes for the Nets to get the best of the Pistons, but New Jersey was able to walk out of The Palace with a 127-120 win and the 3-2 series lead (full box score).

Richard Jefferson finished with a team-high 31 points, 14 of which came in overtime. He also had 11 boards, as did Kerry Kittles — who also scored 22 points.

“That was an amazing game. It’s just a shame that someone had to lose,” Kidd said after the win.

Four other Nets finished in double figures: Kenyon Martin (22 points), Brian Scalabrine (career-high 17), Jason Kidd (16) and Lucious Harris (12).

Jefferson, Kidd, Martin and Jason Collins each blocked two shots apiece, too. Kidd also had eight assists, six rebounds and three steals.

Kendall Gill responds to Michael Jordan’s slight at ’98 Nets

In Ep. 7 of “The Last Dance,” one of Michael Jordan’s quotes about the ’98 Nets resurfaced. He didn’t seem to think highly of New Jersey.

The seventh installment of ESPN’s docuseries on the 1997-98 Bulls, “The Last Dance,” highlighted the first-round matchup between Chicago and the John Calipari-led New Jersey Nets. Among the highlights from that season used in the episode was a clip of then ESPN anchor Brian Kenny quoting Michael Jordan, saying:

Michael Jordan actually said, to lose a game to the Nets, his team would have to ‘fall asleep.’

The Nets then gave the Bulls a scare in Game 1, but Chicago ultimately prevailed and won the opening contest of the series 96-93. The Bulls would go on to win the series in three games, en route to another NBA title.

Former Nets wing Kendall Gill remembers how the Nets almost got the better of Chicago in Game 1. He had something to say about Jordan’s comment when he appeared on WFAN’s Joe & Evan on Monday:

You know, Game 1 we almost caught ’em, they were taking a nap. But they woke up at the end. With the team being so young, I don’t think Kerry Kittles and Keith Van Horn really knew any better. They were like, we just playing basketball. They didn’t really realize we were playing the Chicago Bulls dynasty.

The retired Net also recalled the play in the final minute of overtime in Game 1 when the score was 91-91 and Jordan picked Kittles pocket, then scored on a fast break and went to the line after Gill tried to stop him:

That’s why I’m still mad at Kerry Kittles — because he didn’t run the play he was supposed to run. Coming out of the huddle, Calipari draws up a play, all right, Kerry you’re going to get the ball. Michael Jordan’s on you. Swing the ball to Kendall, who had Tony Kucoc on him and just let Kendall take him one-on-one. What does Kerry Kittles decide to do? He decides to try to take Michael Jordan by himself.

So, Michael steals the basketball and he’s got like three or four steps on me. But I really think that I can catch him because I had success against Michael, guarding him. Blocking his shots and things like that. Not on the fastbreak, but blocking his jump shot and everything. But I still thought that I had an opportunity to get it. And it was the last seconds of the game, it was a key play. The only thing was he jumped before I did and, unfortunately, I fouled him and here I am, what, 22 years later still having to answer questions about that. Anytime my brother wants to shut me up, he sends me that play.

Today in Nets history: Jason Kidd evens 2004 East Semis vs. Pistons

Jason Kidd and his New Jersey Nets teammates blew out the Detroit Pistons on May 11, 2004, after a big win in Game 3.

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 first three games of the 2004 Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Nets and Pistons were each decided by 15 or more points, the last of which resulted in New Jersey’s first win of the series. Game 4 was no different.

Well, the margin of victory on May 11, 2004, was once again large, but there was something different about Game 4. For one, Richard Hamilton was the only Piston who finished in double figures (30). This development also had to do with Rasheed Wallace and Chauncey Billups suffering injuries.

Something else that stood out — rather, someone — was Jason Kidd. He took it to Detroit, finishing with a triple-double (22 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds), two steals and a blocked shot, leading the Nets to a 94-79 win (full box score).

“I called it. He hadn’t had a triple-double in the series. He was due for one,” Nets forward Richard Jefferson said after the win. “J-Kidd is not going to shy away from a challenge. Sooner or later, those shots are going to fall.”

Jefferson finished with 19 points and seven rebounds himself while Kenyon Martin logged a double-double (16 points and 15 rebounds) to help even the series at 2-2.

Kerry Kittles (14 points) and Lucious Harris (11) each finished in double figures, as well.