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 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