Tag: Kerry Kittles

Today in Nets history: 2003 East Semifinals matchup vs. Celtics begins

After knocking off the Boston Celtics in the 2002 Eastern Conference Finals, the New Jersey Nets faced them again in 2003 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:

After the Nets knocked off the Boston Celtics in the 2002 Eastern Conference Finals, New Jersey was set to face them again on May 5 in Game 1 of the 2003 Eastern Conference Semifinals.

The game was back-and-forth, but the Nets picked up where they left off in 2002, defeating the Celtics 97-93 (full box score).

Kenyon Martin led the Nets in points (21). Richard Jefferson (13 points) and Aaron Williams (12) tied for a team-high nine rebounds apiece. Jason Kidd had a team-high nine assists and scored 15 points.

Kerry Kittles finished second in scoring for the Nets with 17 points.

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).

Kerry Kittles: Jason Kidd knew he had to change Nets culture from Day 1

Jason Kidd is on the Brooklyn Nets’ shortlist of head coaching options. Is he a fit for the job?

Among those who’ve been linked to the Brooklyn Nets head coach opening is someone who previously held the position, and also starred for the New Jersey Nets at the turn of the century. Jason Kidd.

The former Nets point guard is currently an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, having previously served as the Milwaukee Bucks head coach from 2014-15 to 2017-18 after he got his start with Brooklyn in 2013-14.

With a new ownership group in place, Kidd could be in position to return to the franchise he took to the next level as soon as he was traded to New Jersey.

During a Q&A on the NBA’s Twitter account on Thursday, Kidd’s old teammate Kerry Kittles explained exactly how the point guard impacted the Nets upon arrival:

From day 1, Jason knew he had to establish a winning mindset that hadn’t been part of the culture prior to his arrival. He often spoke about committing to doing the intangibles, selfless acts that helps teams win. Jason mostly led by example though, often times going above and beyond what was expected. Soon, we all felt a burning desire to play for each other and not worry about individual stats. Playing three seasons with him and reaching the Finals twice were definitely the highlight of my NBA career.

The Nets culture has certainly changed and continues to evolve. Perhaps a taste of the team’s old winning ways could be of use.

RELATED: Ranking the top five point guards in Nets history

RELATED: Ranking the top five shooting guards in Nets history

Ranking the top five shooting guards in Nets history

The Nets franchise has featured some impressive shooting guards through the years, including a hall of famer, and other soon-to-be.

In this new era of positionless basketball, shooting guards have fallen in a strange middle ground. Of course, “guard” is in the position’s title, but some shooting guards are closer to being small forwards than combo guards.

For instance, Joe Harris is a shooting guard, but he’s certainly not bringing the ball up the floor. Yet fellow Brooklyn Nets off-guard Caris LeVert could also play ball-handler as needed or even roll up to the three.

Those two both came to Brooklyn in 2016-17 and have put together some impressive work. But have they secured a seat among the franchise’s best shooting guards of all time? Nets Wire examined the point guards to wear a Brooklyn or New Jersey uniform through the years and selected the five best:

5. Joe Johnson

Credit: Anthony Gruppuso – USA TODAY Sports
Nets Stats: 14.7 PPG | 37.8 3-PT% | 3.4 APG

Johnson could have also fallen under the category of small forward, but his game fits in better with shooting guards.

That’s because Iso Joe was about one thing above all else: buckets.

Johnson’s highest scoring average over his four-year Nets career was 16.3 points per game — his first season in Brooklyn. But it was the next year that he was named an NBA All-Star, and shot 40.1% from 3-point territory.

RELATED: A look back at Joe Johnson, the ultimate isolation scorer

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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: Keith Van Horn sets surprising career-high

Keith Van Horn was more known for his offensive abilities, but one night he stood out for the New Jersey Nets on the defensive end.

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:

When you think of former New Jersey Nets forward Keith Van Horn, his defensive play isn’t exactly the first thing that comes to mind.

But for one night while still wearing a New Jersey Nets uniform, Van Horn made his presence felt on the defensive end.

On March 26, 1999, Van Horn blocked six shots in the Nets’ 100-91 loss to the Indiana Pacers (full box score). He would never block more than four shots in a game for the remainder of his career.

Van Horn finished second on the team in scoring with 22 points. He also had five rebounds.

Stephon Marbury led the Nets with 24 points. Kerry Kittle pitched in 15.

For Indy, Rik Smits (20) Reggie Miller (15), Antonio Davis (13), Mark Jackson (11), Travis Best (10) and Jalen Rose (10) each finished in double figures.

Today in Nets history: Sam Cassell shreds Celtics with 30-point performance

On March 23, 1997, Sam Cassell posted a double-double for the New Jersey Nets in their win over the Boston Celtics.

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:

Back when Jason Kidd ran things in New Jersey, the Nets had some good postseason battles with the Boston Celtics. Now the rivalry between the two teams has somewhat been renewed with Kyrie Irving leaving Boston for Brooklyn.

On March 23, 1997, Kidd was a few months into his 4.5-year run with the Phoneix Suns and had yet to join the Nets. Both he and Irving were also celebrating their birthdays — the Nets’ current point guard had just turned five.

The man running the point for the Nets at the time was a 27-year-old Sam Cassell, who was on his third team that season. He started 1996-97 with the Suns, then went to the Dallas Mavericks in the trade that delivered Kidd to Phoenix. A month and a half later, Cassell was a member of the Nets organization.

And on March 23 of the 1996-97 season, Cassell dominated the Celtics. The point guard went off for 30 points on 11-for-20 shooting in New Jersey’s 100-91 win (full box score).

Cassell also logged 11 assists and had two steals in the win.

Kerry Kittles also provided some offense for the Nets, scoring 18 points off the bench. He also helped on the defensive end, finishing with three steals.

 

Cassell was eventually traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in 1998-99 as part of a three-team trade that delivered the Nets Stephon Marbury.

Joe Harris joins elite group of Nets with landmark 3-pointer

On his first attempt against the Houston Rockets on Saturday, Joe Harris nailed his 500th 3-pointer in a Brooklyn Nets uniform.

Joe Harris nailed his first 3-pointer of Saturday’s game for the Brooklyn Nets after 16 seconds had passed. It was the first made basket for either the Nets or Houston Rockets, but that’s not why it was significant.

That 3-pointer was No. 532 in Harris’ career and No. 500 in a Brooklyn Nets uniform.

Harris is the fifth player to ever make 500 3-pointers while wearing a Nets uniform. The other four are Jason Kidd (813), Kerry Kittles (687), Vince Carter (638) and Joe Johnson (516).

Harris is the only one of the five players with 500-plus 3-pointers as a member of the Nets with a field goal percentage better than 38%. After nailing No. 500, Harris improved his 3-point percentage to 43.3%.

Harris’ milestone make was on the 1155th 3-point attempt of his career.

Entering Saturday’s game against the Rockets, Harris was shooting 42.9% from 3-point territory on the year.

RELATED: Caris LeVert out vs. Rockets, Kyrie Irving not going on road trip

Joe Harris passes Deron Williams on Nets’ all-time 3-pointers made list

Joe Harris continues to solidify himself as not only one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA, but also one of the best in Nets history.

Entering Saturday’s game against the Toronto Raptors, Joe Harris had the chance to move up Brooklyn’s all-time 3-pointers made list. The sharpshooter had made 485 3-pointers as a member of the Nets, tied for fifth all-time with Deron Williams.

After missing his lone 3-point attempt from the corner in the first quarter, Harris knocked down his first attempt of the second quarter from the other corner. That shot marked his 486th 3-point make as a member of the Nets, bumping Williams down to sixth all-time.

Now the only players ahead of Harris are Joe Johnson (516) — who he should comfortably pass this year — Vince Carter (638), Kerry Kittles (687) and Jason Kidd (813).

Though he has four former Nets ahead of him on this list, Harris has been much more efficient than any of them. He’s the only player in the franchise’s top-17 for 3-pointers made with a 3-point percentage of 38% or better (Harris entered play with a 43.4 3-point percentage). (Drazen Petrovic is No. 18 on the list with 220 threes made. He ended his Nets career with a 43.7 3-point percentage.)