The Nets began the season by winning their first four games, and maintained a winning record through all 82 games for the first time in the franchise's NBA history. The Nets clinched a playoff berth with a victory over the
Detroit Pistons on the final day of the season. It was the Nets first postseason appearance since 1994, and the season brought excitement back to the Meadowlands. The heart and soul of the Nets was center
Jayson Williams, who averaged 13.6 rebounds, (2nd in the NBA), and 12.9 points per game. Williams became the first Net to appear in an
All-Star Game since
Derrick Coleman in 1994. After missing the first 17 games of the season due to a leg injury, rookie
Keith Van Horn quickly acclimated himself to the NBA game and led the Nets in scoring at 19.7 points per game. Another strong presence in the frontcourt was forward
Kendall Gill, who averaged 13.4 points per game. The Nets backcourt consisted of
Sam Cassell and
Kerry Kittles in the backcourt. Cassell ranked second on the team in scoring, behind Van Horn at 19.6 ppg, and led the Nets in assists with 8.0 apg. Kittles was in his second NBA season, and was third on the team in scoring with 17.2 ppg. The Nets bench included
Sherman Douglas (8.0 ppg, 4.0 apg) and
Chris Gatling (11.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg). Late in the season, the Nets added depth with the trade for
Rony Seikaly, who joined the Nets in a five-player trade with the
Orlando Magic on Feb. 19. Seikaly played in only nine games for New Jersey, because of a nagging injury to his right foot.
Season standings ==Playoffs==