1995–96 New Jersey Nets season

NBA professional basketball team season August 2023 March 2026 New Jersey Nets 1996 30 52 Atlantic 6 12 Butch Beard Continental Airlines Arena SportsChannel New York WQEW Did not qualify NJN The 1995–96 New Jersey Nets season was the Nets' 29th season in the National Basketball Association, and 20th season in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Brooklyn Nets Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BRK/ August 8, 2026 Season summary Off-season The Nets received the ninth overall pick in the 1995 NBA draft, and selected power forward and NCAA Final Four Most Valuable Player, Ed O'Bannon from the University of California, Los Angeles. Wise Mike Pro Basketball: Underclassmen Rule Atop N.B.A. Draft Board The New York Times June 29, 1995 https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/29/sports/pro-basketball-underclassmen-rule-atop-nba-draft-board.html July 25, 2021 Heisler Mark NBA Is a Young Man's Game: Draft: Smith, McDyess, Stackhouse, Wallace and Garnett Lead the Way Los Angeles Times June 29, 1995 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-06-29-sp-18377-story.html December 3, 2022 1995 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1995.html December 1, 2022 During the off-season, the team signed free agent Vern Fleming. Associated Press Pro Basketball: Nets Sign Fleming and Mahorn The New York Times October 10, 1995 https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/10/sports/pro-basketball-nets-sign-fleming-and-mahorn.html June 30, 2022 Pro Basketball: Fleming Signs with Nets The New York Times October 11, 1995 https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/11/sports/pro-basketball-fleming-signs-with-nets.html November 18, 2022 Regular season With the addition of O'Bannon and Fleming, the Nets struggled with a 4–8 start to the regular season, as Derrick Coleman missed the first month of the season due to an irregular heartbeat. Willis George Basketball: Nets' Coleman Sidelined The New York Times October 17, 1995 https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/17/sports/basketball-nets-coleman-sidelined.html July 21, 2017 Associated Press "Minor" Heart Ailment Puts Nets' Coleman on Sideline Los Angeles Times October 17, 1995 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-10-17-sp-57819-story.html February 1, 2023 Associated Press Nets' Coleman to Check Irregular Heartbeat Deseret News October 19, 1995 https://www.deseret.com/1995/10/19/19199470/nets-coleman-to-check-irregular-heartbeat September 24, 2022 In late November, the team traded Coleman along with Rex Walters, and Sean Higgins to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Shawn Bradley, Greg Graham and Tim Perry. Brown Clifton Pro Basketball: Nets Grant Coleman's Wish with Trade to Sixers The New York Times December 1, 1995 https://www.nytimes.com/1995/12/01/sports/pro-basketball-nets-grant-coleman-s-wish-with-trade-to-sixers.html July 29, 2021 Heisler Mark Coleman Dealt to Philadelphia: Pro Basketball: New Jersey Swaps Brilliant, But Unhappy Forward for Center Bradley in Six-Player Trade Los Angeles Times December 1, 1995 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-12-01-sp-9271-story.html December 3, 2022 Nets' Coleman to 76ers for Bradley The Washington Post December 1, 1995 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1995/12/01/nets-coleman-to-76ers-for-bradley/08a223c3-b908-4a27-ae1b-0cf8ded00e5f/ September 24, 2022 The Nets reached .500 in winning percentage with a 9–9 start to the season, but then lost eight of their next nine games. In January, the team traded Kenny Anderson to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Kendall Gill, and second-year guard Khalid Reeves. Willis George Basketball: The Other Cornerstone Drops: Anderson Is Traded The New York Times January 20, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/01/20/sports/basketball-the-other-cornerstone-drops-anderson-is-traded.html July 29, 2021 Associated Press Cautious Nets Trade Anderson to Hornets Los Angeles Times January 20, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-01-20-sp-26742-story.html July 25, 2022 Bembry Jerry Nets Trade Anderson to Hornets: Former All-Star Planned to Become a Free Agent; Gill, Reeves Go to N.J. The Baltimore Sun January 20, 1996 https://www.baltimoresun.com/1996/01/20/nets-trade-anderson-to-hornets-former-all-star-planned-to-become-a-free-agent-gill-reeves-go-to-nj/ December 3, 2022 However, Gill only played just eleven games with the Nets due to a season-ending hand injury, while Kevin Edwards only played just 34 games due to a knee injury. Pro Basketball: Gill to Have Hand Surgery The New York Times February 16, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/16/sports/pro-basketball-gill-to-have-hand-surgery.html June 30, 2022 Diamos Jason Basketball: No More Gill, and Not Much of the Nets The New York Times April 10, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/10/sports/basketball-no-more-gill-and-not-much-of-the-nets.html November 5, 2022 Smith Sam Expanding on Bulls' Accomplishment Chicago Tribune April 15, 1996 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-04-15-9604150157-story.html January 13, 2023 The Nets held an 18–29 record at the All-Star break, NBA Games Played on February 8, 1996 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/index.fcgi?month=2&day=8&year=1996 January 2, 2023 and posted a five-game winning streak in February. However, the team posted a seven-game losing streak in April, and lost 12 of their final 14 games of the season, finishing in sixth place in the Atlantic Division with a 30–52 record, which was the same record as the previous season. 1995–96 New Jersey Nets Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NJN/1996_games.html July 1, 2021 Armen Gilliam averaged 18.3 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, while Gill averaged 17.5 points and 2.0 steals per game after the trade, and second-year guard Chris Childs showed improvement, providing the team with 12.8 points and 7.0 assists per game. In addition, Bradley averaged 12.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game in 67 games, while P.J. Brown provided with 11.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, and Edwards contributed 11.6 points and 1.6 steals per game. Off the bench, Jayson Williams played an increased role as the team's sixth man, averaging 9.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game, while Fleming provided with 7.7 points and 3.3 assists per game, O'Bannon contributed 6.2 points per game, and second-year center Yinka Dare averaged 2.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. 1995–96 New Jersey Nets Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NJN/1996.html July 1, 2021 Williams finished in third place in Sixth Man of the Year voting, Kukoc Named Best of the Bench The Washington Post May 15, 1996 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/05/15/kukoc-named-best-of-the-bench/ef224c62-5257-45e0-8684-4bde346b122a/ January 30, 2023 1995–96 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1996.html January 6, 2025 and Bradley and Childs both finished tied in eighth place in Most Improved Player voting, while Williams finished tied in 14th place. The Nets finished 23rd in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 638,144 at the Brendan Byrne Arena during the regular season. 1995–96 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1996.html January 22, 2026 Aftermath Following the season, head coach Butch Beard was fired after publicly criticizing his players, Nobles Charlie Pro Basketball: Comments, Not Losses, May Finish Nets' Beard The New York Times April 16, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/16/sports/pro-basketball-comments-not-losses-may-finish-nets-beard.html November 18, 2022 Diamos Jason Basketball: In Swift Move, Nets Drop Beard (and a Few Names) The New York Times April 23, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/23/sports/basketball-in-swift-move-nets-drop-beard-and-a-few-names.html November 18, 2022 Associated Press Raptors, Nets Fire Coaches Los Angeles Times April 23, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-04-23-sp-61628-story.html October 12, 2023 while Gilliam signed as a free agent with the Milwaukee Bucks, Bucks Sign Gilliam The New York Times August 7, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/07/sports/bucks-sign-gilliam.html January 1, 2022 Staff and Wire Reports Bucks Pick Up Free Agent Gilliam Los Angeles Times August 7, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-08-07-sp-32158-story.html September 24, 2022 Bucks Sign Gilliam to 4-Year Deal The Washington Post August 7, 1996 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/08/07/bucks-sign-gilliam-to-4-year-deal/6a6129a6-b358-4c46-b8c5-9f802987b34d/ January 13, 2023 Childs signed with the New York Knicks, Brown Clifton Pro Basketball: A New Backcourt: Childs and Houston Join the Knicks The New York Times July 14, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/14/sports/pro-basketball-a-new-backcourt-childs-and-houston-join-the-knicks.html July 10, 2022 Associated Press Payton Stays in Seattle, Knicks Get a Backcourt Los Angeles Times July 15, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-07-15-sp-24361-story.html June 24, 2023 Sheridan Chris Knicks Acquire Larry Johnson, Sign Houston and Childs Associated Press July 15, 1996 https://apnews.com/article/9dfbf65421881a5d42176bdaaf4d2368 September 24, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220929003031/https://apnews.com/article/9dfbf65421881a5d42176bdaaf4d2368 September 29, 2022 dead and Brown signed with the Miami Heat. Sports People: Basketball: Brown Leaves Nets for the Heat The New York Times July 19, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/19/sports/sports-people-basketball-brown-leaves-nets-for-the-heat.html September 24, 2022 Associated Press Even a P.J. Brown Can Strike It Rich Los Angeles Times July 19, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-07-19-sp-25905-story.html June 28, 2022 Heat Add Brown, Keep Hardaway SFGate July 19, 1996 https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Heat-add-Brown-keep-Hardaway-3134613.php June 24, 2023 Meanwhile, Rick Mahorn re-signed with his former team, the Detroit Pistons, Staff and Wire Reports Citadel Coach Suspended for Season Los Angeles Times August 6, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-08-06-sp-31769-story.html January 8, 2023 Myslenski Skip Pistons' New Look Beyond Cosmetic Chicago Tribune November 8, 1996 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-11-08-9611080058-story,amp.html September 18, 2022 Graham was traded to the Seattle SuperSonics, Nets Acquire Askew from Seattle United Press International July 16, 1996 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/07/16/Nets-acquire-Askew-from-Seattle/1023837489600/ November 18, 2022 Perry was released to free agency, and Fleming retired. Draft picks 1995 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 9 Ed O'Bannon PF United States UCLA Roster New Jersey Nets 1995–96 #0C479D #FFFFFF #EC0044 #FFFFFF 45 Shawn Bradley C 7 6 235 1972-03-22 BYU 42 P. J. Brown F 6 11 225 1969-10-14 Louisiana Tech 1 Chris Childs basketball G 6 3 195 1970-11-20 Boise State 33 Yinka Dare C 7 0 265 1972-10-10 George Washington 21 Kevin Edwards G 6 3 190 1965-10-30 DePaul yes 10 Vern Fleming G 6 5 185 1962-02-04 Georgia 13 Kendall Gill G 6 5 195 1968-05-25 Illinois yes 43 Armen Gilliam F 6 9 230 1964-05-28 UNLV 20 Greg Graham G 6 4 174 1970-11-26 Indiana 4 Rick Mahorn F 6 10 240 1958-09-21 Hampton 31 Ed O'Bannon G/F 6 8 222 1972-08-14 UCLA 34 Tim Perry F 6 9 200 1965-06-04 Temple yes 6 Khalid Reeves G 6 3 199 1972-07-15 Arizona 41 Robert Werdann C 6 11 250 1970-09-12 St. John's 55 Jayson Williams F 6 9 240 1968-02-22 St. John's Butch Beard Stan Albeck Jerry Eaves Clifford Ray https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NJN/1996.html Roster notes Center Shawn Bradley holds American and German dual citizenship. He was born in Germany and raised in the U.S., but represented Germany internationally. Regular season Season standings NJN NJN z – clinched division title y – clinched division title x – clinched playoff spot Game log {| class="toccolours" width=90% style="clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;" |- ! colspan=2 style="background:#0C479D; color:#FFFFFF" | 1995–96 game log Total: 30–52 (Home: 20–21; Road: 10–31) New Jersey Nets November yes #EC0044 #FFFFFF 1 0 0 3 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 1 | November 3 | @ Toronto | L 79–94 | Anderson & Gilliam (13) | Armen Gilliam (16) | Kenny Anderson (8) | SkyDome33,306 | 0–1 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 2 | November 7 | Portland | W 104–84 | Armen Gilliam (16) | Jayson Williams (16) | Kenny Anderson (10) | Brendan Byrne Arena16,152 | 1–1 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 3 | November 8 | @ Orlando | L 122–130 (3OT) | Armen Gilliam (20) | P. J. Brown (12) | Kenny Anderson (7) | Brendan Byrne Arena16,152 | 1–2 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 4 | November 10 | @ Miami | L 80–106 | Childs & Gilliam (12) | Armen Gilliam (11) | Chris Childs (6) | Brendan Byrne Arena16,152 | 1–2 njn 1996 Player statistics Regular season PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPGArmen Gilliam787636.6.474.000.7919.11.80.90.718.3Kendall Gill111038.0.441.360.8313.93.22.00.217.5Kenny Anderson312833.6.376.364.8033.38.01.70.315.3Chris Childs785430.9.416.367.8523.17.01.40.112.8Shawn Bradley675729.8.443.250.6797.90.80.63.712.5Kevin Edwards343329.6.364.404.8102.22.11.60.211.6P.J. Brown818136.3.444.200.7706.92.01.01.211.3Jayson Williams80623.2.423.286.59210.00.60.40.79.0Vern Fleming77322.7.433.107.7512.23.30.50.17.7Ed O'Bannon642919.6.390.179.7132.61.00.70.26.2Greg Graham45210.8.379.368.7250.90.90.40.04.1Khalid Reeves31713.4.376.309.5811.31.50.70.13.8Rex Walters1107.9.364.2501.0000.61.00.30.03.0Robert Werdann1307.2.500.5381.80.20.40.23.0Yinka Dare582310.8.438.6133.10.00.10.72.8Rick Mahorn5009.0.352.000.7232.20.30.30.32.4Tim Perry2217.6.489.429.5001.60.30.10.52.4Gerald Glass1005.6.357.2000.60.40.20.12.1 Player statistics citation: References See also 1995–96 NBA season New Jersey Nets season Category:New Jersey Nets seasons New Jersey Nets New Jersey Nets Category:20th century in East Rutherford, New Jersey Category:Meadowlands Sports Complex