2001: A Nets Odyssey

Back in April 1998, Tony Gervino predicted the Nets would win a title in 2001. He said a starting rotation of Sam Cassell, Kerry Kittles, Keith Van Horn, Jayson Williams and Kendall Gill would bring home gold. The following season they started off horrendously, and before you knew it, Cassell was replaced with Stephon Marbury and Coach Calipari was fired. Fast-forward three seasons to 2002, when new GM Rod Thorn exiles Marbury and brings in Jason Kidd. All of a sudden, the Nets finish the regular season with a 52-30 record and a trip to the Finals. However, like Indiana and Philly before them, they ran into the Shaq/Kobe Lakers. They were swept in four. Their second attempt the following season ended as the first one had, with a 4-2 Finals loss to the Spurs. Then came Vince Carter and the rest is history. Currently, the Nets are winless. So, relive actual Nets glory and check out Gervino’s “almost” prediction of a ‘98 Nets team who had people foaming at the m...