Brooklyn Nets GOAT Rankings

The debate rages on.

Many consider either LeBron James or Michael Jordan the greatest player in NBA history—the GOAT, as the title is widely abbreviated in sports circles. Some want to put Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the conversation, while others seem determined to include Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain.

None of these answers are inherently correct or incorrect. Realizing that is vital.

We’re not going to fall into the trap made by other GOAT rankings and insist our order is the only acceptable one, since everyone values different legacy components uniquely. That’s what makes this conversation so difficult in and of itself: How much are you swayed by championships, longevity, era translations and every other possible piece of the argument?

Our rankings here are intended to tell you who produced the most on both ends of the floor relative to his peers. The longer the high-level production was sustained, the better. But team-based results like deep playoff runs and championships don’t have any bearing in this particular article, which focuses entirely on the Brooklyn Nets franchise.

Sections

  • Methodology
  • Flaws
  • GOAT Progression
  • Per-Season GOAT Standings
  • Top-Ranked Seasons
  • Top Rookie Seasons

Methodology

Our rankings are centered around the accumulation of GOAT points, which are calculated using the following steps:

  1. Isolate all TPA scores earned during any given season from 1951-52 through 2017-18, combining both regular-season and postseason numbers.
  2. Calculate the average and standard deviation of the data for the relevant season.
  3. Convert TPA scores to Z-Scores (standard deviations above or below the average). The Z-Scores then function as GOAT points.
  4. Sum GOAT points from all seasons to find career scores, though only players with at least 1.0 GOAT points will be depicted pictorially.

Flaws

This is by no means a perfect examination of basketball history, so treat it as a baseline if you desire.

Notable Flaw No. 1: TPA isn’t a Perfect Stat

Since TPA is derived from box plus/minus, we’re looking only at box-score stats and failing to give players proper credit for solid defensive switching, beneficial picks at the top of the key and so much more. Scores before 1973-74 are estimated through a correlation with win shares, which allows for some variance as well. A few players (see: Westbrook, Russell) even see their scores boosted by extreme interaction effects between assist percentage and usage rate, as BPM was never intended to handle such high numbers.

Notable Flaw No. 2: No Anecdotes

Memorable shots don’t matter here. Nor do performances that came in crunch-time scenarios. The stories told by these players can’t necessarily be quantified, even though they largely color our perception of these contributors.

Not a Flaw: Higher Scores for Modern Players

Because the league has more players these days (deeper rosters and more franchises), the standard deviation naturally shrinks. That makes it easier for modern standouts to earn higher Z-Scores, and thus higher numbers of GOAT points during a single go-round. This isn’t a flaw, so much as a purposeful part of the design.

Deviating from the pack in a positive fashion is harder in the modern Association, as back-end players who sit on the pine for large portions of contests have improved drastically. The supply/demand curve is the only justification necessary; the NBA has a finite number of roster spots and far more qualified players looking to earn them, which forces the level of those end-of-bench contributors to undergo an upward progression.

The league as a whole improves every year.

The GOAT Progression

  • Season Positives: Al Skinner (0.61), Tiny Archibald (0.504)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Everyone
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None

  • Season Positives: Bernard King (0.713)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Bernard King
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None

  • Season Positives: Bernard King (1.454), Jan Van Breda Kolff (0.154), George Johnson (0.115)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: George Johnson
    • Dropped out of the Top 10:  None

  • Season Positives: Geroge Johnson (0.503), Mike Newlin (0.445), Eddie Jordan (.199), Jan Van Breda Kolff (0.178)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Mike Newlin
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None

  • Season Positives: Mike O’Koren (0.349), Darwin Cook (0.151)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Mike O’Koren, Darwin Cook
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None

  • Season Positives: Ray Williams (2.193), Buck Williams (1.038), Len Elmore (0.114), Mike O’Koren (0.025)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Ray Williams, Buck Williams, Len Elmore
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None

  • Season Positives: Buck Williams (2.078), Darwin Cook (0.658), Albert King (0.56), Mike Gminski  (0.333), Darryl Dawkins (0.297), Otis Birdsong (0.064), Mike O’Koren (0.052)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Darryl Dawkins
    • Entered the Top 20: Darryl Dawkins, Albert King
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Len Elmore
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Len Elmore

  • Season Positives: Darryl Dawkins (1.175), Buck Williams (1.077), Micheal Ray Richardson (0.67), Darwin Cook (0.381), Albert King (0.205), Mike Gminski (0.085)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Micheal Ray Richardson,  Albert King
    • Entered the Top 20: Micheal Ray Richardson
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Mike O’Koren, Mike Newlin
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Mike O’Koren

  • Season Positives: Micheal Ray Richardson (3.233), Buck Williams (0.489), Otis Birdsong (0.091), Mike Gminski (0.077)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Micheal Ray Richardson (1.127), Mike Gminski (0.856), Buck Williams (0.48), Darryl Dawkins (0.472), Darwin Cook (0.018)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Mike Gminski
    • Entered the Top 20: Mike Gminski
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Albert King
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Albert King

  • Season Positives: Orlando Wooldridge (0.916), Buck Williams (0.869)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Orlando Woolridge
    • Entered the Top 20: Orlando Woolridge
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Mike Gminski
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Buck Williams (0.535)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Lester Conner (1.046), Chris Morris (0.231)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Lester Conner
    • Entered the Top 20: Lester Conner, Chris Morris
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Tiny Archibald
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Chris Morris (0.186), Lester Conner (0.068)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Chris Morris (0.908), Derrick Coleman (0.204)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Chris Morris
    • Entered the Top 20: Derrick Coleman
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: George Johnson
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Chris Morris (0.834), Derrick Coleman (0.727), Drazen Petrovic (0.41), Mookie Blaylock (0.387)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Derrick Coleman
    • Entered the Top 20: Drazen Petrovic
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Al Skinner
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Derrick Coleman (2.406), Chris Morris (1.372), Drazen Petrovic (0.955), Kenny Anderson (0.496)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Drazen Petrovic
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Orlando Woolridge
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Derrick Coleman (2.357), Kenny Anderson (1.231), Chris Morris (0.723), P.J. Brown (0.461), Kevin Edwards (0.186), Armen Gilliam (0.016)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Kenny Anderson
    • Entered the Top 20: Kenny Anderson, P.J. Brown, Kevin Edwards, Armen Gilliam
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Darwin Cook
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Kenny Anderson (0.867), Derrick Coleman (0.837), Chris Morris (0.807), P.J. Brown (0.601)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Armen Gilliam

  • Season Positives: P.J. Brown (0.641), Chris Childs (0.52), Armen Gilliam (0.192)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: P.J. Brown
    • Entered the Top 20: Armen Gilliam
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Lester Conner
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Kevin Edwards

  • Season Positives: Kendall Gill (1.796), Kerry Kittles (1.118)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Kendall Gill
    • Entered the Top 20: Kendall Gill, Kerry Kittles
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Drazen Petrovic
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Mike Newlin

  • Season Positives: Kerry Kittles (1.651), Sam Cassell (1.367), Kendall Gill (1.042), Jayson Williams (0.987), Michael Cage (0.224)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Kerry Kittles
    • Entered the Top 20: Sam Cassell, Michael Cage
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Darryl Dawkins
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Armen Gilliam, Mike Gminski

  • Season Positives: Kendall Gill (0.6), Jayson Williams (0.205), Scott Burrell (0.065)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Stephon Marbury (1.008), Kerry Kittles (0.43), Scott Burrell (0.35), Jim McIlvaine (0.145), Michael Cage (0.002)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: Stephon Marbury
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Michael Cage

  • Season Positives: Stephon Marbury (1.761)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Stephon Marbury
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: P.J. Brown
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Jason Kidd (3.094), Kerry Kittles (1.144), Todd MacCulloch (0.59), Kenyon Martin (0.437), Keith Van Horn (0.077), Lucious Harris (0.009)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Jason Kidd
    • Entered the Top 20: Jason Kidd, Todd MacCulloch
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Ray Williams
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: George Johnson, Tiny Archibald

  • Season Positives: Jason Kidd (3.763), Kerry Kittles (1.373), Richard Jefferson (0.981), Kenyon Martin (0.555)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: Richard Jefferson, Kenyon Martin
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Al Skinner, Todd MacCulloch

  • Season Positives: Jason Kidd (2.257), Richard Jefferson (1.497), Kenyon Martin (0.841), Kerry Kittles (0.837), Rodney Rogers (0.202)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Richard Jefferson
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Kenny Anderson
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Jason Kidd (2.662), Richard Jefferson (0.027), Donnell Harvey (0.006)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Jason Kidd (2.995), Vince Carter (2.335), Richard Jefferson (1.613), Scott Padgett (0.029)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Vince Carter
    • Entered the Top 20: Vince Carter
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Bernard King
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Orlando Woolridge

  • Season Positives: Jason Kidd (2.932), Vince Carter (2.559), Mikki Moore (0.02)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Vince Carter (1.66)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Vince Carter (1.415), Devin Harris (1.101), Bobby Simmons (0.141)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: Devin Harris
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Darwin Cook

  • Season Positives: Brook Lopez (1.154)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: Brook Lopez
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Devin Harris

  • Season Positives: Brook Lopez (0.101)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Deron Williams (1.044)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: Deron Williams
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Brook Lopez

  • Season Positives: Deron Williams (1.98), Gerald Wallace (0.77), Andray Blatche (0.695), Brook Lopez (0.61), C.J. Watson (0.311), Joe Johnson (0.081)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Deron Williams
    • Entered the Top 20: Brook Lopez
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Stephon Marbury
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Lester Conner

  • Season Positives: Paul Pierce (0.608), Mason Plumlee (0.59), Deron Williams (0.471), Shaun Livingston 90.211), Brook Lopez (0.09), Andray Blatche (0.004)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Mason Plumlee (0.301), Joe Johnson (0.09), Brook Lopez (0.061), Deron Williams (0.018)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Brook Lopez (0.594), Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (0.117), Thaddeus Young (0.021)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Brook Lopez (0.624), Jeremy Lin (0.34), Trevor Booker (0.052)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Brook Lopez
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Kendall Gill
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Spencer Dinwiddie (0.135), DeMarre Carroll (0.03), Joe Harris (0.025), Jarrett Allen (0.013)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

Per-Season GOAT Standings

Perhaps you wish to take longevity out of the equation.

In that case, allow us to reveal the top 30 per-season scores, found simply by dividing total GOAT points by the number of NBA seasons recorded. Do note that injury-shortened campaigns (for example, Michael Jordan’s 1985-86 efforts, in which he played only 18 games while not sidelined with a broken foot) still count the same as full go-rounds. This methodology can also benefit players still in their primes, as they haven’t yet posted twilight seasons that drag down their averages.

Top-Ranked Seasons

Top Rookie Seasons