1999–2000 New Jersey Nets season
The 1999–2000 NBA season was the Nets' 33rd season in the National Basketball Association, and 24th season in East Rutherford, New Jersey. During the off-season, the Nets re-acquired Johnny Newman from the Los Angeles Clippers, and re-signed free agent Sherman Douglas. Without Jayson Williams, who missed the entire season with a leg injury, the Nets struggled losing 15 of their first 17 games, but would eventually get hot winning 13 of their next 18 games, and find themselves near the playoff picture with a 31–40 record as of March 30. However, a  rash of late season injures cost the team to lose their final eleven games, finishing sixth in the Atlantic Division with a 31–51 record. Stephon Marbury averaged 22.2 points, 8.4 assists and 1.5 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, while Keith Van Horn averaged 19.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, and Kendall Gill provided the team with 13.1 points and led them with 1.8 steals per game, ranking him ninth in the league with 139 total steals. In addition, Kerry Kittles contributed 13.0 points and 1.3 steals per game, while off the bench , Newman played a sixth man role, averaging 10.0 points per game, and Jamie Feick led the team with 9.3 rebounds per game. During the 1999–2000 season, Marbury and Gill both reached different milestones, as Marbury dished out his 2,000th assist, and Gill scored his 10,000th career point. Following the season, head coach Don Casey was fired, while Scott Burrell and Gheorghe Mureșan were both released to free agency, and Williams retired. Regular season. The Nets started the season at 2-15, a franchise record low. Despite the poor start, the Nets rallied back to compete for a playoff spot. The  Nets were still alive in the playoff race at the beginning of April with three weeks left in the season. After the first week of April, the team was without their leading scorer, Stephon Marbury, who struggled with knee injuries. Other injuries included rookie Evan Eschmeyer (ankle), and starting shooting guard Kerry Kittles (knee). The Nets were officially eliminated from playoff contention on April 7 after a 103-85 loss to the Miami Heat. The team finished the season by losing their final 11 games of the year. Player statistics. Regular Season. Player Statistics Citation: 1999–2000 New Jersey Nets season