Latest news with #NewJerseyNets
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Sport
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Ex-NBA Champion Recalls How 40-Year-Old Michael Jordan Torched His Team Single-Handedly
Former NBA champion Richard Jefferson recently recalled a game during his rookie season with the New Jersey Nets when Michael Jordan torched the team for 45 points by himself. While reacting to a highlight reel of Jordan from that game on X, Jefferson said: Advertisement "We had the #1 defense and went to the finals that year… Got cooked." The video showcased the NBA legend's skill, even late in his career. At 40 years old, Michael Jordan still looked nimble and capable enough of dismantling defenses on his own. The game took place on New Year's Eve during the 2001-02 season. The Washington Wizards emerged victorious after a 98-76 scoreline, dominating the Nets, who would make an appearance in the NBA Finals that season. Jordan notched a game-high 45 points, to go with 10 rebounds and seven assists, adding three steals to the tally. The second highest scorer on the Wizards for the game was Christ Whitney with 14 points. Advertisement Meanwhile, the Nets saw Kenyon Martin and Keith Van Horn lead the scoring effort with 16 points each. Jason Kidd was their key player for the game with 10 points and 11 assists. A young Richard Jefferson put up a disappointing five points in 20 minutes of game time off the bench. The 2001-02 season also marked the second time Jordan came out of retirement to play in the NBA. Seeing the Wizards' performances for the season, the then 38-year-old Jordan decided to step in and take matters into his own hands. After playing in 60 games for the team, the former Bulls legend put up a respectable average of 22.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game. He also earned himself an All-Star nod and ended 13th in the MVP race that season. Unfortunately, Jordan's addition didn't see the Wizards improve by a whole lot. Washington ended the season with a disappointing 37-45 record and finished 10th in the Eastern Conference. Advertisement Jordan's time with the Wizards was short. He went on to play another season with the team after deciding to eventually retire in the 2002-03 season. The superstar had already sold his stake in the team before joining them for the season, as league rules prohibited him from being an owner and a player at the same time. After retiring, the Bulls legend went on to buy a stake in the Charlotte Bobcats in 2006 and eventually purchased controlling rights by 2010. His ownership of the team ended after he decided to sell the franchise in 2023 to a group of investors Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall. Related: Michael Jordan Revealed That Coming Out Of Retirement And Playing For The Wizards Was One Of The Biggest Mistakes He Made In Washington
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fallen stars: Six NBA careers destroyed by personal demons
Not all NBA stories follow a straight path from draft day to retirement. For some players, the journey through the NBA includes tough challenges and battles away from the court. Here are six NBA careers destroyed by personal demons. 5. Jayson Williams Credit: Anne Ryan-Imagn Images Jayson Williams was a dominant NBA power forward and center, known for his energy on the court. Drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 1990, he played most of his career with the New Jersey Nets and earned an All-Star selection in 1998. His promising career was cut short by a leg injury in 1999. Advertisement Off the court, Williams' life took a tragic turn. In 2002, while giving a tour of his New Jersey mansion, he accidentally shot and killed his limousine driver, Costas 'Gus' Christofi, with a shotgun he thought was unloaded. Williams attempted to cover up the incident and was charged with obstruction of justice. He was convicted of aggravated assault in 2010 and served 27 months in prison. Since his release in 2012, he has spoken openly about his remorse and the challenges he faced during and after incarceration. 4. Glen Davis Credit: Chuck Cook-Imagn Images Glen 'Big Baby' Davis won a championship with the 2008 Boston Celtics, but his post-playing years took a troubling turn. In 2024, he was sentenced to over three years in federal prison for his involvement in a scheme to defraud the NBA Players' Health and Welfare Benefit Plan. Davis submitted fake claims totaling over $130,000, including one for 15 root canals supposedly performed on a day he was actually in Las Vegas. He also recruited others into the scam. Now serving 40 months in federal prison for fraud and conspiracy, Davis owes $80,000 in restitution and faces supervision after completing his sentence. Advertisement Also Read:: Fallen Stars: Five NFL Careers Destroyed by Personal Demons 3. Chris Herren NCAA Basketball: Boston College at Virginia Tech Chris Herren was a talented guard from Massachusetts who had brief NBA stints with Denver and Boston before addiction derailed his career. He battled heroin, cocaine, and painkiller dependencies, experiencing multiple overdoses and legal troubles. In 2008, he nearly died after crashing into a pole and was clinically dead for 30 seconds before paramedics revived him. Since then, Herren has transformed his life. Now sober, he supports others battling addiction through his non-profit, the Herren Project, and speaks candidly about his journey. His story is documented in the memoir 'Basketball Junkie' and the ESPN documentary 'Unguarded.' 2. Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports In one of the NBA's most infamous locker room confrontations, Washington Wizards teammates Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton escalated an argument over a gambling debt in 2009, culminating with both players bringing guns into the team locker room. The consequences were severe: both received suspensions, and Crittenton's NBA career ended immediately. Arenas never fully recovered his former standing either. The incident stands as a stark reminder of how personal conflicts can spiral dangerously when brought into professional settings. 1. Delonte West NBA: Preseason-Phoenix Suns at Dallas Mavericks Delonte West was a skilled player recognized for his defensive tenacity and versatility during his time with the Celtics, Cavaliers, and Mavericks. However, his battles with bipolar disorder and addiction created significant challenges in his personal life. After his NBA career concluded in 2012, West's situation deteriorated dramatically. He experienced homelessness, multiple arrests, and very public struggles. Despite intervention attempts from figures like Mark Cuban, West's path to recovery has been difficult. His story underscores the critical importance of mental health support for athletes. Advertisement Also Read:: 5 Most Shocking NFL Scandals That Forever Changed the League Related Headlines
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brooklyn Nets jersey history No. 14 Eduardo Najera (2008-10)
The Brooklyn Nets have 52 jersey numbers worn by over 600 different players over the course of their history since the franchise was founded in 1967 as a charter member of the American Basketball Association (ABA), when the team was known as the "New Jersey Americans". Nov 7, 2009; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Boston Celtics forward Shelden Williams (13) and New Jersey Nets forward Eduardo Najera (14) battle for position under the boards during the first half at the Izod Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports Since then, that league has been absorbed by the NBA with the team that would later become the New York Nets and New Jersey Nets before settling on the name by which they are known today, bringing their rich player and jersey history with them to the league of today. Advertisement To commemorate the players who played for the Nets over the decades wearing those 52 different jersey numbers, Nets Wire is covering the entire history of the franchise's jersey numbers and the players who sported them since the founding of the team. The 16th of those 52 different numbers is jersey No. 14 which has has had a total of 29 players wear the number in the history of the team. The 15th of those players wearing No. 14 played in the (then) New Jersey (now, Brooklyn) Nets era, guard alum Eduardo Najera. After ending his college career at Oklahoma, Najera was picked up with the 38th overall selection of the 2000 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets. The Meoqui, Mexico native would play the first four seasons of his pro career with the Dallas Mavericks after a draft night deal, however. He also played for the Golden State Warriors, and Denver Nuggets before he signed with New Jersey in 2008. His stay with the team would span parts of two seasons, ending when he was dealt to the Mavs in 2010. During his time suiting up for the Nets, Najera wore only jersey No. 14 and put up 3.2 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference. This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Nets jersey history No. 14 Eduardo Najera (2008-10)
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brooklyn Nets jersey history No. 14 - DeSagana Diop (2008)
The Brooklyn Nets have 52 jersey numbers worn by over 600 different players over the course of their history since the franchise was founded in 1967 as a charter member of the American Basketball Association (ABA), when the team was known as the "New Jersey Americans". Since then, that league has been absorbed by the NBA with the team that would later become the New York Nets and New Jersey Nets before settling on the name by which they are known today, bringing their rich player and jersey history with them to the league of today. Advertisement To commemorate the players who played for the Nets over the decades wearing those 52 different jersey numbers, Nets Wire is covering the entire history of the franchise's jersey numbers and the players who sported them since the founding of the team. The 16th of those 52 different numbers is jersey No. 14 which has has had a total of 29 players wear the number in the history of the team. EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - MARCH 21: Linas Kleiza #43 of the Denver Nuggets rebounds the ball as teammate Marcus Camby looks on with Marcus Williams #1 and Diop DeSagana #14 of the New Jersey Nets during their game on March 21, 2008 at the Izod Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo By. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by) The first of those players wearing No. 14 played in the (then) New Jersey (now, Brooklyn) Nets era, big man alum DeSagana Diop. After ending his high school career, Diop was picked up with the eighth overall selection of the 2001 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Dakar, Senegal native would play the first four seasons of his pro career with the Cavs. He'd also play for the Dallas Mavericks before he was dealt to New Jersey in 2008. His stay with the team would span just 27 games before he'd return to the Mavs next season. Advertisement During his time suiting up for the Nets, Diop wore only jersey No. 14 and put up 2.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference. This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets jersey history No. 14 - DeSagana Diop (2008)
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sixers draft history: Keith Van Horn selected, then traded in 1997
With the NBA draft right around the corner, now is the time to look at some past drafts and see what the Philadelphia 76ers have done in their history. The Sixers have selected some big-time players in the past who have become an important part of the fabric of the franchise's history. This next edition focuses on the 1997 NBA draft. After a 22-60 season, the Sixers ended up getting the No. 2 pick in the draft. With that selection, they took Utah's Keith Van Horn before flipping the versatile forward to the then-New Jersey Nets in exchange for Anthony Parker, Jim Jackson, Eric Montross, and Todd MacCulloch. Advertisement The Sixers ended up getting Van Horn back in the summer of 2002 in a trade with the Nets that sent Dikembe Mutombo to New Jersey. In his lone season with the Sixers in 2002-03, he averaged 15.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. Philadelphia then sent him to the New York Knicks in the 2003 offseason as part a 4-team deal in which Philadelphia acquired Glenn Robinson and Marc Jackson. Van Horn would go on to play for five teams total in his nine seasons in the league. He played for the Dallas Mavericks when they reached the finals in 2006 before leaving the NBA. This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers draft history: Keith Van Horn selected, then traded in 1997
