The 2004 Pistons vs. Lakers 'The Game'
From the ABA to Brooklyn: A franchise of resilience and reinvention.
The Brooklyn Nets, a professional basketball team based in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, were founded in 1967 and initially played in Teaneck, New Jersey, as the New Jersey Americans, followed by a period spent in Long Island as the New York Nets and later returning to play as the New Jersey Nets. They are a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as well as an original member of the American Basketball Association (ABA). In 2012, the team moved to Brooklyn and were renamed the Brooklyn Nets.
Quick Facts
- Series result
- Detroit Pistons defeated Los Angeles Lakers
- Final score series
- 4-3
- Mvp award winner
- Chauncey Billups
- Key defensive tactic
- Team defense over individual star power
- Lakers stars involved
- Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal
- Pistons core players
- Billups
- Hamilton
- Prince
- Wallace
- Howard
Lore & Background
The franchise was established in 1967 as a founding member of the ABA, with trucking magnate Arthur J. Brown as the owner. The team was named the New York Americans, but due to venue issues, it played its first season as the New Jersey Americans. After a forfeit in a playoff tiebreaker due to poor court conditions, the team moved to Long Island and changed its name to the New York Nets. The Nets won ABA championships in 1974 and 1976, led by Julius Erving. After the ABA–NBA merger in 1976, the team was forced to pay fees to the Knicks and traded Erving to the Philadelphia 76ers. The team moved to New Jersey in 1977 and was renamed the New Jersey Nets.
Reader's Guide
The Nets began as the New Jersey Americans in 1967, became the New York Nets in 1968, and later the New Jersey Nets in 1977. They joined the NBA in 1976 as part of the ABA–NBA merger. The team moved to Brooklyn in 2012 and was renamed the Brooklyn Nets.
Did You Know?
- The name 'Nets' was chosen because it rhymes with the New York Mets and New York Jets, and relates to basketball.
- The Nets were forced to trade Julius Erving to the Philadelphia 76ers for $3 million as part of the ABA–NBA merger.
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