NBA History: The best era for each of the 30 franchises

SAN ANTONIO - JANUARY 14: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs looks to drive around Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks at the SBC Center on January 14, 2005 in San Antonio, Texas. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo by Chris Birck/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Brooklyn Nets: 2001-07

The Brooklyn Nets — previously of New Jersey — were an utter embarrassment during the 2000-01 season. They finished 12th in the Eastern Conference with just 26 wins despite talented players like All-Star Stephon Marbury and reigning No. 1 overall pick Kenyon Martin.

A change was needed to establish any type of relevancy, and it arrived in the form of Jason Kidd via a trade — for Marbury — that summer. A four-time All-Star to that point, Kidd would never average more than 18.7 points per game during his time with New Jersey, but his impact on the franchise was evident from the moment he arrived.

An elite floor general with an innate sense of the court in its entirety, Kidd immediately pumped new life into a bumbling Nets offense, climbing 10 spots from the previous season to rank 13th in points per game.

Kidd wasted no time in elevating New Jersey to the Eastern Conference No. 1 seed, eventually leading his new team to its first NBA Finals appearance, only to fall short against a Los Angeles Lakers squad completing its three-peat.

The Nets would make a return to the Finals the following season but were unable to last more than six games against the San Antonio Spurs. They’d make another four straight playoff appearances — the six straight was a franchise record — on the backbone of Kidd’s stellar play as well as the mid-season addition of Vince Carter during the 2004-05 season.

Had they not run into two of the most dynastic teams of the century, perhaps New Jersey is home to at least one NBA championship. Despite the losses, the Nets brought excitement to the Garden State with a level of sustained excellence the franchise never before knew.

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