This image is the cover for the book A History of the Nets, Sports

A History of the Nets, Sports

Relive the Ups and Downs of the Storied Saga of the Nomadic Nets

The Nets have led a wandering existence spanning over five decades. The team has been known as the New Jersey Americans, New York Nets, New Jersey Nets and now Brooklyn Nets, while constantly relocating throughout the New York metropolitan area. Though often plagued by instability and futility, the franchise has celebrated iconic moments in the course of ABA and NBA history. Julius Erving's legendary play led the team to a pair of ABA titles in 1974 and 1976. The meteoric rise of European superstar Dražen Petrović followed by his tragic death in 1993 is etched into basketball fans' hearts worldwide. Jason Kidd's uncommon will steered New Jersey to back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003. An enlightening phone call from NBA commissioner David Stern in 1997 paved the way for the team's move to Brooklyn in 2012.

Author Rick Laughland charts the brutal lows and exuberant highs throughout the history of the Nets.

Rick Laughland

Rick Laughland has been front and center in the New York sports scene, covering the Brooklyn Nets, New York Jets, New York Mets and New York Giants as a beat reporter over the past decade. Laughland's work has been featured online via FOXSports and CBS Sports, along with broadcast appearances on FOX 5 TV in New York, Sirius XM Radio, FOXSports National Radio and FOXSports Radio New Jersey. Laughland currently operates an independent Brooklyn Nets blog at NetsInsider.com, with syndication on Bleacher Report, Hoopshype and Yardbarker. You can reach Rick at Rick.Laughland@gmail.com for any comments or inquiries. Laughland currently serves as an adjunct professor of marketing at his alma mater, Fairleigh Dickinson University. Rick enjoys spending time with his family and playing catch with his dog, Theo. In his free time, Rick can be found playing and watching the sport he loves most: basketball.

The History Press