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Reactions
Nets fans remember the heartbreakersCNNSI.com looked at a few of the transactions that made Nets fans shout, "Say It Ain't So." Then we opened the mailbag and let users vent on those and other dirty deals from over the years. Here is a sampling of your reactions:
But despite all the Yinka Dare draft picks, the trades of Dr. J and Buck Williams, the antics of Derrick Coleman, and the early retirement of All-Star center Jayson Williams ... the most painful moment as a Nets fan, and as a human being, was the untimely death of rising star Drazen Petrovic. Drazen was not only a fan favorite, but was really coming into his own as a basketball player. His incredible shooting range and good defense was a perfect compliment to Kenny Anderson and Derrick Coleman and together they served as a strong nucleus for an up and coming team. However, after Drazen's passing, the team wasn't the same. Anderson and Coleman slumped and were shown the door, and the Nets quickly went form playoff condenders back to annual lottery participants.
The day John Calipari was disgracefully and cowardly fired by the Nets affected me more than any other move. Here is our supposed savior being shipped out during not only a season filled with crippling injuries to Jayson Williams, Sam Cassell, and Keith Van Horn, but a lock-out year as well. Coach Cal was the ultimate scapegoat for a disappointing season through no fault of his own. After being turned down by Rick Pitino, after offering him just about everything except a key to the city of East Rutherford, Coach Cal took the gig, and with that inserted energy, fire, and a winning attitude to a historically listless franchise. To then add insult of injury they hire a clueless Don Casey. The new Net owners should have been ashamed of themselves.
Drazen Petrovic. He was an amazing player and an amazing person. Seeing his No. 3 jersey be retired was the most heartbreaking moment I have ever seen in sports. He had a presence about him that made people feel good watching him. His enthusiasm and humble nature made him truly stand out amongst the crowd of big egos and spoiled superstars. The news of his death hit Nets fans hard, and the poor coverage of the event made it harder. Rest in peace.
How about changing from the New YORK Nets to the New JERSEY Nets? That was almost as huge a betrayal as sending Dr. J to the 76ers. That was the beginning of the huge Jersey Grabbers -- you know, taking the Giants, Jets, TRYING to steal the Yankees... The ironic part is that I'm a New Jersey Devils fan. Go fig.
Nets could have Kobe Bryant playing for them instead of injury-prone Kerry Kittles. Look at Kobe laughing with two rings and Kerry watched all of Kobe's playoff games with fourth knee surgery from home.
Robert Kelly, Jersey City, N.J.
The biggest heartbreaker for me when the Nets drafted Chris Morris with the 3rd pick of the 1987 NBA draft. I knew from that moment on that the NETS were a doomed franchise destined to loom at the bottom of the standings for years and years to come. The only glimmer of hope was the addition of Drazen Petrovic, who, as the Nets luck would have it, perished in an Autobon crash. Chris Morris epitomized all that was wrong with the franchise after the great Doctor J. left for greener pastures in Philadelphia.
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