On Retired Numbers and Kerry Kittles
Sep 11, 2009 Kerry Kittles, Truehoop Network
A recent post by CelticHub’s Zach Lowe about the merits of the Spurs possibly retiring Bruce Bowen’s number, has sparked some discussion amongst the TrueHoop network bloggers. Many team’s seem to have at least a player or two in their history that don’t have flashy statistics, but have earned the love and respect of their organization and fans, thus leading to their numbers being retired. So the question was asked to all of us TrueHoopers, which beloved, but statistically undeserving player’s number would you retire (or has been retired)?
In the case of the Nets, the team has retired six numbers, Drazen Petrovic (3), Wendell Ladner (4), John Williamson (23), Bill Melchionni (25), Julius Erving (32) and Buck Williams (52). Outside of Dr. J and Petro, I honestly can’t say if anyone of that list could be considered an immortal NBA player.
Trying to think of another possible Nets number to retire in the mold of Bruce Bowen is a tough one considering the history of this franchise. I think Jason Kidd is a no-brainer, but he’s a certain Hall of Famer, not a Bruce Bowen-type player. When you think of other heralded Nets players, they were either egomaniacs who played their way out of New Jersey (Derrick Coleman and Kenny Anderson), draft busts (Ed O’Bannon and Yinka Dare), or non-consequential (Chris Morris).
Which brings me to Kerry Kittles. When Kittles was first drafted by the Nets in 1996, he instantly became my favorite player on an otherwise dreary team. I remember traversing all of Long Island trying to find a Kittle #30 jersey until finally finding one at a Foot Locker at Roosevelt Field Mall in Westbury, NY.
A fairly accurate three-point shooter for his career (37 percent on 1838 attempts in 8 seasons), Kittles will probably be best remembered as one of Jason Kidd’s fast-break mates during the 2001-02 and 2002-03 finals teams. Kittles could either finish while streaking towards the rim or could sneak outside the three-point line to wait for the kicked-out pass from the paint, and probably took advantage of the Nets passing attack during their glory years more than any other player. In 2002-03, 82 percent of Kittles shots were assisted on, leading the team. Meanwhile, for his career, Kittle amassed solid, albeit, unspectacular numbers: 14.1 ppg, 1.6 steals, 52% true shooting and 49 % eFG. He also set an NBA rookie record of 158 three-pointers made which was eclipsed this past year by Portland’s Rudy Fernandez. The guy battled chronic knee and leg issues throughout his career, but was never an attitude problem and never demanded a trade, which may be a first for Nets players who have spent that much time with the team. He still works with the team as a part time scout, showing his loyalty.
No, I don’t think Kittles should be nominated for the Hall of Fame, but I think he deserves to have his jersey retired. He had a unique skillset that, when inserted into the proper system, made him a key, if understated player. So now the question is extended to you, the readers. Which player numbers do you think the Nets should retire?
Update: Here are some other TrueHoopers and their musings on retired numbers:
Hoopinion: Mookie Blaylock, Lenny Wilkens and others
Bucksketball: Questions Bob Lanier
CelticsHub: Danny Ainge, Paul Silas, M.L. Carr and others
Looking Back At The Calipari Era
Aug 21, 2009 Blast From The Past, Jayson Williams, John Calipari, Keith Van Horn, Kendall Gill, Kerry Kittles, Sam Cassell
As someone who was first introduced to the Nets in the 1990s, I’ve retained some real fondness for the 1997-98 team. While only winning 43 games and getting swept away by the eventual NBA Champion Chicago Bulls in the first round of the playoffs, the 97-98 group was just an entertaining group of players: Sam Cassell hitting big shot after big shot, Keith Van Horn when he was “the next Larry Bird,” Jayson Williams owning the boards, Kerry Kittles streaking down the court and lining up for a three. And that team was led by a young, intelligent coach coming off a great little run in the NCAA – you might have heard of him the past 24 hours – John Calipari.
When it comes to Nets lore, the 97-98 team probably gets lost in the shuffle. The Jason Kidd era showed how the Nets could be both fun and talented. Plus the following season was a disaster for the Nets. The 1999-2000 season was already shortened by the lockout, and when play resumed, a Nets team that had shown so much promise, nosedived. You got the sense that Calipari, who was about as energetic and wiry as they come, was starting to rub his players the wrong way. Jayson Williams, who would later tarnish his own legacy with other issues, was very candid about his dislike for Calipari. They started the season 3-17 and Cailpari was fired. It wasn’t until they exchanged Stephon Marbury for Jason Kidd that the Nets were a relevant part of the NBA again.
I guess that’s what Calipari does. While it may not be intentional, he now has a solid steak of coming to a team and giving the fans some hope before leaving behind a path of destruction. Yesterday, it was revealed that the NCAA was stripping the 2008 University of Memphis Tigers of its tournament victories for using an ineligible player, which is believed to be Derek Rose, now of the Chicago Bulls. That Memphis team (with current Net Chris Douglas-Roberts) made it to the championship game and was coached by Calipari. Calipari was also coach of the 1996 University of Massachusetts Final Four team, which had to vacate its record because then-player Marcus Camby accepted gifts and money from an agent. Calipari was cleared of any wrong-doing, but all of this has to make you think why controversy always seems to be following a Calipari.
I will always have my memories of the 97-98 Nets team. I’ll always remember how they almost caught the Bulls napping in game one of their series, making, what was by all accounts, an invincible team, have to scratch and claw their way to a victory. I remember Slam Magazine putting Cassell, Van Horn, Williams, Kittles and Kendall Gill on the cover – marking the first time I ever purchased Slam. But when I go back and recall the Calipari era in New Jersey, I always get a bitter taste in my mouth. And it seems like now Memphis Tigers fans will now get the taste, when they look back at their own Calipari years.
Posted by Mark Ginocchio