Brooklyn Nets: Kyrie Irving, DeAndre Jordan will enter franchise record book

Brooklyn Nets newcomers Kyrie Irving and DeAndre Jordan have yet to step on the court, but they’ll soon have a place in the team’s record book.

The Brooklyn Nets’ signings of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and DeAndre Jordan have correctly been viewed as huge for the franchise from Day 1. Although Durant’s injury will likely prevent the team from becoming a true contender, Irving and Jordan should still be difference makers for the franchise next season.

Irving may have had a tough end to his tenure with the Boston Celtics, but he’s still one of the better point guards in the NBA. Jordan isn’t the player he once was, but he still has plenty to offer as a big man. Even if the team doesn’t reach it goals next season, Irving and Jordan will likely take their place in the franchise’s record book.

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(The below team records are courtesy of basketball-reference and go back to the 1967-68 season. The franchise was part of the the ABA until the 1977-78 season).

Points Per Game

With Kevin Durant sidelined, Kyrie Irving will likely run the show next season. It’s very realistic he could average at least the 23.8 points per game he did in 2018-19. If he does, it will be among the best scoring seasons in franchise history.

1. Rick Barry  –  1971-72  –  31.5 ppg
2. Julius Erving  –  1975-76  –  29.3 ppg
3. Julius Erving  –  1974-75  –  27.9 ppg
4. Vince Carter  –  2004-05  –   27.5 ppg
5. Julius Erving  –  1973-74  –   27.4 ppg
6. Vince Carter  –  2006-07  –   25.2 ppg
7. Vince Carter  –  2005-06  –   24.2 ppg
8. Levern Tart  –  1969-70  –   24.2 ppg
9. Bernard King  –  1977-78  –  24.2 ppg
10. Stephon Marbury  –  2000-01  –  23.9 ppg

3-Pointers Made

D’Angelo Russell set the franchise record last season for made 3-pointers with 234. Irving is unlikely to surpass this number, but if he makes the 174 he did last season, it will be a top-five performance in the team’s history.

1. D’Angelo Russell   –  2018-19  –  234
2. Allen Crabbe  –  2017-18  –  201
3. Joe Harris  –  2018-19  – 183
4. Deron Williams  –  2012-13  –  169
5. Joe Johnson  –  2013-2014  –  162
6. Kerry Kittles  –  1996-97  –  158
7. Vince Carter  –  2006-07  –  156
8. Vince Carter  –  2008-09  –  151
9. Joe Harris  –  2017-18  –  150
10. Joe Johnson  –  2012-13  –  148

3-Point Field Goal Percentage

Joe Harris set the franchise record for 3-point percentage in his incredible 2018-19 season, and he could very well have another season worthy of the record book. An underrated shooter, Irving shot a solid 40.1 percent last season. If this number improves a bit, he could find himself in the top ten as well.

1. Joe Harris  –  2018-19  –  47.4 percent
2. Dražen Petrović  –  1992-93  –  44.9 percent
3. Bobby Simmons  –  2008-09  –  44.7 percent
4. Dražen Petrović  –  1991-92  –  44.4 percent
5. Jordan Farmar  –  2011-12  –  44.0 percent
6. Eddie House  –  2006-07  –  42.9 percent
7. Vince Carter  –  2004-05  –  42.5 percent
8. Anthony Morrow  –  2010-11  –  42.3 percent
9. Boštjan Nachbar  –  2006-07  –  42.3 percent
10. Keyon Dooling  –  2008-09  –  42.1 percent

Free Throw Percentage

Kyrie Irving might not shoot underhand like Rick Berry, but he could end up alongside him in terms of great Nets free throw shooting seasons. Irving’s 87.3 free throw percentage last season would have been the 9th best ever for a Net.

1. Mike Gminski  –  1985-86  –  89.3 percent
2. Rick Barry  –  1970-71  –  88.9 percent
3. Mike Newlin  –  1980-81  –  88.8 percent
4. Bobby Lloyd  –  1968-69  –  88.6 percent
5. Mike Newlin  –  1979-80  –  88.4 percent
6. Jarrett Jack  –  2014-15  –  88.1 percent
7. Rick Barry  –  1971-72  –  87.8 percent
8. Bojan Bogdanović  –  2016-17  –  87.4 percent
9. Dražen Petrović  –  1992-93  –  87.0 percent
10. Courtney Lee  –  2009-10  –  86.9 percent

Rebounds Per Game

DeAndre Jordan might have lost a step in a few areas, but he still put up strong rebounding statistics last season. If Jarrett Allen doesn’t limit his playing time too much (which is definitely possible), Jordan could have one of the better rebounding seasons in team history in 2019-20. His 13.1 boards per game last season would have ranked him second all-time for the franchise.

1. Jayson Williams  –  1997-98  –  13.6 rpg
2. Billy Paultz  –  1972-73  –  12.5 rpg
3. Buck Williams  –  1982-83  –  12.5 rpg
4. Buck Williams  –  1986-87  –  12.5 rpg
5. Billy Paultz  –  1971-72  –  12.5 rpg
6. Buck Williams  –  1983-84  –  12.3 rpg
7. Buck Williams  –  1981-82  –  12.3 rpg
Buck Williams  –  1984-85  –  12.3 rpg
9. Buck Williams  –  1985-86  –  12.0 rpg
10. Buck Williams  –  1987-88  –  11.9 rpg

Field Goal Percentage

Big-men tend to get a fair amount of easy buckets due to their positioning close to the basket. DeAndre Jordan took advantage of this last season, and his 63.4 field goal percentage would have ranked first in Brooklyn’s record book.

1. Mikki Moore  –  2006-07  –  60.9 percent
2. Darryl Dawkins  –  1982-83  –  59.9 percent
3. Darryl Dawkins  –  1983-84  –  59.3 percent
4. Jarrett Allen  –  2018-19  –  59.0 percent
5. Buck Williams  –  1982-83  –  58.8 percent
6. Buck Williams  –  1981-82  –  58.2 percent
7. Trooper Washington  –  1971-72  –  57.1 percent
8. Buck Williams  –  1987-88  –  56.0 percent
9. Buck Williams  –  1986-87  –  55.7 percent
10. Buck Williams  –  1983-84  –  53.5 percent

Conclusion

Brooklyn Nets fans might not get to watch Kevin Durant play next season, but the signings of Kyrie Irving and DeAndre Jordan shouldn’t be undervalued. They’re both solid bets to take their place in franchise’s record book.