New Jersey Nets

A proposed arena in Brooklyn is in the planning stages and if apporoved, the Nets would move across the Hudson River for the 2007-2008 season. This is Tampa's worst start since Gruden took over the Bucs in 2002, and led to a final record of 5-11, which made the 2003-04 Buccaneers the first NFL team ever to follow up a Super Bowl championship with back-to-back losing seasons. The owner has threatened to move the franchise beginning with the 2005-2006 season. In the 2004 season, the Bucs started out 1-5 after losing two of their best defensive players (John Lynch, Warren Sapp) and one offensive player (Keyshawn Johnson) after deactivating him ten games into the 2003 season. In 2004 and 2005 there were constant rumors that the Nets were going to move back to New York. Finishing the regular season 7-9, it marked the first time in the decade of the 2000s that both Super Bowl teams from the previous season did not even make the playoffs; Tampa Bay was thus unable to successfully defend their Super Bowl title. Teaming with Kidd, Carter rallied the team from being more than 10 games out of the playoffs to gain the final seed in the Eastern Conference. However, the duo could not overcome O'Neal again and were swept by the Miami Heat in the 2005 postseason. The 2003 season proved to be a losing one for the Buccaneers.

In 2005, after two disappointing seasons, the Nets acquired disgruntled star Vince Carter from the Toronto Raptors. The 2002 Buccaneers became the first team ever to win the Super Bowl after not having made selections in either of the first two rounds of the previous spring's college draft (having traded these selections to the Oakland Raiders for the rights to head coach Jon Gruden), the first team ever to win the Super Bowl after having lost at home on opening day, the first team ever to win the Super Bowl after having gained less than 100 yards rushing per game during the regular season, and the first team ever to win the Super Bowl after having been eliminated in the wild-card round of the prior season's playoffs. The following season Kidd again led the Nets to the finals, only to be thwarted by the San Antonio Spurs. Louis Rams on the road. Under Kidd, the Nets advanced to the NBA Finals that season, but were defeated by Shaquille O'Neal and the Los Angeles Lakers. They are 1-0 in Super Bowls, having defeated the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII in January, 2003, and they are 1-2 in NFC Championship games, having defeated the Philadelphia Eagles on the road on January 18, 2003), and losing to the Rams twice, in 1979 to the Los Angeles Rams at home, and in 1999 to the St. In 2001, though, the Nets acquired Jason Kidd, a perennial all-star. With league realignment in 2002, the Bucs moved into new NFC South division, along with the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints.

In the mid 1990s, the team continually tried to rebuild, as the Nets brought in star after star, only to see them fail. Players, such as Stephon Marbury, Kendall Gill, Keith Van Horn, and Jayson Williams each played for the Nets a few seasons before being traded again. The Bucs also abandoned their traditional team colours of orange and white in favour of dark red, black, and pewter. However, the team failed to advance in the playoffs, and after the stunning death of Petrovic, the others were traded. The team's performance dramatically improved when the Glazers brought in Tony Dungy to coach. However, the next few seasons yielded a shift from veterans to young players, as the Nets acquired Derrick Coleman, Drazen Petrovic, and Kenny Anderson. In the mid 1990s the team was sold by original owner Hugh Culverhouse to the Glazer family, who's financial support allowed them to finally become competitive. Led by Darryl Dawkins, Buck Williams, Otis Birdsong, and Michael Ray Richardson, the team finally had a winning season and advanced into the playoffs, beating the Philadelphia 76ers before falling to the Milwaukee Bucks. McKay responded "I'm in favour of it." Besides their poor performance the team's bright creamsicle uniform and logo (pictured right) were often mocked.

In the 1983-1984 season, though, the Nets fielded what was believed to be their best team since joining the NBA. After a particularly dismal effort in the late 1970s, longtime Bucs coach John McKay gave perhaps the quintessential comment on the organization's plight: A reporter asked McKay about his team's execution during the game. The next few years were disappointing, as the Nets compiled losing season after losing season, never advancing in the playoffs. The Buccaneers lost at least ten games in 17 of their first 21 seasons, including 12 straight from 1983 to 1994. The year after the Nets joined the NBA, the franchise relocated to New Jersey, becoming the New Jersey Nets. The team made a habit of losing. The next season the ABA merged to form the NBA. Hampered by contract disputes, the Nets were forced to send Erving to the Philadelphia 76ers, ending a highly-promising era. In addition, the club once had a 20-game road losing streak against AFC teams, which ended when they won 17-10 over the Broncos at Denver on December 26, 1993.

After a grueling series with the Denver Nuggets, the Nets won the championship series and could boast their second championship in three years. They also once lost 27 consecutive games played both outdoors and on artificial turf; this streak began after a victory over the Bengals at Cincinnati in the 1980 season opener and lasted until they defeated the Eagles in Philadelphia on the first week of the 1995 season. Erving again led them to a successful 55-win season; he also was named MVP again that year. The club also did not win a game in which the temperature at kickoff time was below 40°F (4°C) until the last week of the 2002 regular season, having lost 20 such games prior. However, the team rebounded in the 1975-1976 season. Tampa Bay went 0-14 in their inaugural season, and started their second season 0-12 before recording their first win. The next season also looked to be promising, but the Nets were stunned early on in the playoffs and were denied their second championship. Started out in AFC West in 1976; moved to NFC Central in 1977.

After Erving was declared the ABA's MVP, the Nets advanced in the playoffs and won their first ever ABA title. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (sometimes abbreviated as the Bucs) are a National Football League team based in Tampa, Florida, currently owned by Malcolm Glazer and coached by head coach Jon Gruden. In the 1973-1974, with Erving, the Nets dramatically improved their record to a 55- win season. Jon Gruden (2002-current). J". Tony Dungy (1996-2001). In the 1973 offseason, however, the Nets acquired Julius Erving, known as "Dr. Sam Wyche (1992-1995).

The 1972 - 1973 season was one of disappointment, as the Nets only won 30 games. Richard Williamson (1990-1991). Barry left after that postseason, sending the Nets into rebuilding mode. Ray Perkins (1987-1990). However, they could not overcome the Indiana Pacers and lost the series four games to two. Leeman Bennett (1985-1986). In 1972, two years after the acquisition of star Rick Barry, the Nets advanced to the ABA finals. John McKay (1976-1984).

The team was renamed to "Nets" to rhyme with the two other professional sports team in New York: the New York Mets and New York Jets. Tony Dungy. Originally called the New Jersey Americans, the team changed its name and location to become the New York Nets. Steve Spurrier. The franchise was established in 1967 as part of the American Basketball Association. Steve Young. In 2004, the franchise was sold to Bruce Ratner. Vinny Testaverde.

The New Jersey Nets are a National Basketball Association team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Warren Sapp. Rod Thorn. Errict Rhett. Kevin Loughery. Keenan McCardell. Lawrence Frank. John Lynch.

Byron Scott. Keyshawn Johnson. Chuck Daly. Wayne Haddix. Nenad Krstic. Warrick Dunn. Richard Jefferson. Steve DeBerg.

Jason Kidd. Reggie Cobb. Vince Carter. Mark Carrier. 52 Buck Williams. Ricky Bell. 32 Julius Erving. 63 Lee Roy Selmon.

25 Bill Melchionni. Simeon Rice. 23 John Williamson. Brian Griese. 4 Wendell Ladner. Charlie Garner. 3 Drazen Petrovic. Michael Clayton.

Richard Jefferson. Derrick Brooks. Vince Carter. Ronde Barber. Jason Kidd. Mike Alstott. Alonzo Mourning. Steve Young (Began NFL career with Tampa Bay, appearing in 19 games. Acquired by San Francisco 49ers in 1987 for a second- and fourth-round draft choice and cash.).

Keith Van Horn. Lee Roy Selmon (the first pick in the 1976 draft and the Bucs' first ever pick). Kenyon Martin. Stephon Marbury. Kerry Kittles.

Armon Gilliam. Kendall Gill. Yinka Dare. Chris Childs.

Kenny Anderson. Bob McAdoo. Nate Archibald. Rick Barry.

Drazen Petrovic. Julius Erving.