1991–92 New Jersey Nets season

1991–92 New Jersey Nets season
Head coachBill Fitch
ArenaBrendan Byrne Arena
Results
Record40–42 (.488)
PlaceDivision: 3rd (Atlantic)
Conference: 6th (Eastern)
Playoff finishFirst round
(lost to Cavaliers 1–3)
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
TelevisionWWOR-TV
SportsChannel New York
RadioWNEW

The 1991–92 New Jersey Nets season was the Nets' 25th season in the National Basketball Association, and 16th season in East Rutherford, New Jersey.[1] The Nets received the second overall pick in the 1991 NBA draft, and selected point guard Kenny Anderson out of Georgia Tech University.[2][3][4] However, Anderson held out early into the regular season due to a contract dispute,[5][6] and Roy Hinson would miss the entire season due to a knee injury.[7][8]

With the addition of Anderson, the Nets struggled losing 11 of their first 13 games of the regular season, and later on held a 7–18 start to the season. The team posted a five-game winning streak in January, and later on held a 19–28 record at the All-Star break.[9] The Nets posted an eight-game losing streak between January and February, but won nine of their final twelve games of the season, finishing in third place in the Atlantic Division with a 40–42 record, and earning the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference; the team qualified for the NBA playoffs for the first time since the 1985–86 season.[10]

Dražen Petrović showed improvement becoming the team's starting shooting guard, averaging 20.6 points and 1.3 steals per game, and also leading the Nets with 123 three-point field goals, while second-year star Derrick Coleman averaged 19.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, and Sam Bowie provided the team with 15.0 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. In addition, Mookie Blaylock contributed 13.8 points, 6.8 assists and 2.4 steals per game, while Chris Morris provided with 11.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. Off the bench, second-year forward Terry Mills averaged 9.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, while Anderson played a role as backup point guard for Blaylock, averaging 7.0 points and 3.2 assists per game, second-year guard Tate George contributed 6.0 points per game, Rafael Addison provided with 5.8 points per game, and Chris Dudley averaged 5.6 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game.[11]

During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Orlando Arena in Orlando, Florida, Petrović participated in the NBA Three-Point Shootout;[12][13] he also finished in second place in Most Improved Player voting, behind Pervis Ellison of the Washington Bullets, while Blaylock finished tied in eleventh place,[14][15] and head coach Bill Fitch finished in sixth place in Coach of the Year voting.[15]

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1992 NBA playoffs, the Nets faced off against the 3rd–seeded Cleveland Cavaliers, who were led by the trio of All-Star center Brad Daugherty, All-Star guard Mark Price, and Larry Nance. The Nets lost the first two games to the Cavaliers on the road at the Coliseum at Richfield, but managed to win Game 3 at home, 109–104 at the Brendan Byrne Arena. However, the Nets lost Game 4 to the Cavaliers at home, 98–89, thus losing the series in four games.[16][17][18]

The Nets finished 23rd in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 517,356 at the Brendan Byrne Arena during the regular season, which was the fifth-lowest in the league.[11][19] Following the season, Blaylock and Hinson were both traded to the Atlanta Hawks,[20][21][22] while Mills signed as a free agent with the Detroit Pistons,[23][24] and Fitch resigned after clashing with his young stars.[25][26]

For the season, the Nets changed their road uniforms, replacing the light blue jerseys from the previous season with darker blue jerseys; these uniforms would remain in use until 1997.[27]

Draft picks

Main article: 1991 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 2 Kenny Anderson PG  United States Georgia Tech
2 53 Von McDade SG  United States Milwaukee

Roster

1991–92 New Jersey Nets roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
SF 21 Rafael Addison 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1964-07-22 Syracuse
PG 7 Kenny Anderson 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 168 lb (76 kg) 1970-10-09 Georgia Tech
PG 10 Mookie Blaylock 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1967-03-20 Oklahoma
C 31 Sam Bowie 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1961-03-17 Kentucky
PF 44 Derrick Coleman 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1967-06-21 Syracuse
C 22 Chris Dudley 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1965-02-22 Yale
C 54 Dave Feitl 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1962-06-08 UTEP
SG 12 Tate George 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1968-05-29 Connecticut
PF 6 Roy Hinson  (IN) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1961-05-02 Rutgers
SG 20 Doug Lee 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1964-10-24 Purdue
PF 5 Terry Mills 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1967-12-21 Michigan
SF 34 Chris Morris 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1966-01-20 Auburn
SG 3 Dražen Petrović 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1964-10-22 Croatia
Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (IN) Inactive
  • Injured

Roster notes

Regular season

Season standings

Atlantic Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Boston Celtics 51 31 .622 — 34–7 17–24 19–9
x-New York Knicks 51 31 .622 — 30–11 21–20 20–8
x-New Jersey Nets 40 42 .488 11 25–16 15–26 15–13
x-Miami Heat 38 44 .463 13 28–13 10–31 14–14
Philadelphia 76ers 35 47 .427 16 23–18 12–29 15–13
Washington Bullets 25 57 .305 26 14–27 11–30 7–21
Orlando Magic 21 61 .256 30 13–28 8–33 8–20
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Chicago Bulls 67 15 .817 –
2 y-Boston Celtics 51 31 .622 16
3 x-Cleveland Cavaliers 57 25 .695 10
4 x-New York Knicks 51 31 .622 16
5 x-Detroit Pistons 48 34 .585 19
6 x-New Jersey Nets 40 42 .488 27
7 x-Indiana Pacers 40 42 .488 27
8 x-Miami Heat 38 44 .463 29
9 Atlanta Hawks 38 44 .463 29
10 Philadelphia 76ers 35 47 .427 32
11 Milwaukee Bucks 31 51 .378 36
12 Charlotte Hornets 31 51 .378 36
13 Washington Bullets 25 57 .305 42
14 Orlando Magic 21 61 .256 46
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Game log

1991–92 game log
Total: 40–42
November
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 November 2 @ Charlotte W 116–108 1–0
2 November 6 @ Philadelphia L 105–107 1–1
3 November 7 Miami L 89–111 1–2
4 November 9 Detroit L 100–110 1–3
5 November 12 @ New York L 96–98 1–4
6 November 13 Utah L 92–98 1–5
7 November 15 Washington L 111–116 (OT) 1–6
8 November 16 @ Orlando L 100–102 1–7
9 November 19 Sacramento W 122–118 2–7
10 November 21 @ Cleveland L 112–116 2–8
11 November 23 Boston L 107–125 2–9
12 November 26 @ Houston L 109–118 2–10
13 November 27 @ San Antonio L 100–106 2–11
14 November 29 @ Dallas W 97–91 3–11
15 November 30 @ Denver L 97–107 3–12
December
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
16 December 3 Philadelphia W 88–86 4–12
17 December 5 @ Milwaukee W 109–101 5–12
18 December 6 L. A. Lakers L 89–98 5–13
19 December 10 New York L 88–114 5–14
20 December 12 Denver W 121–81 6–14
21 December 14 Charlotte L 102–109 6–15
22 December 17 @ New York L 94–102 6–16
23 December 18 Cleveland W 102–93 7–16
24 December 20 Chicago L 98–115 7–17
25 December 21 @ Indiana L 109–118 (OT) 7–18
26 December 23 Atlanta W 105–93 8–18
27 December 26 Houston W 99–93 9–18
28 December 27 @ Charlotte W 136–120 10–18
29 December 30 Orlando W 122–112 11–18
January
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
30 January 3 Washington L 108–112 11–19
31 January 4 @ Chicago L 96–140 11–20
32 January 6 L. A. Clippers W 105–90 12–20
33 January 8 Minnesota W 103–97 13–20
34 January 10 Milwaukee W 104–97 14–20
35 January 11 @ Detroit L 88–90 14–21
36 January 14 Dallas W 97–88 15–21
37 January 15 @ Boston W 130–120 16–21
38 January 18 @ Minnesota W 112–100 17–21
39 January 22 Phoenix W 106–104 18–21
40 January 24 Miami W 123–117 19–21
41 January 25 @ Philadelphia L 94–115 19–22
42 January 28 @ Sacramento L 118–124 19–23
43 January 29 @ Phoenix L 95–128 19–24
44 January 31 @ Portland L 108–113 19–25
February
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
45 February 1 @ L. A. Clippers L 88–99 19–26
46 February 5 Seattle L 85–95 19–27
47 February 6 @ Washington L 108–124 19–28
48 February 11 @ Chicago L 113–133 19–29
49 February 12 @ Philadelphia W 102–87 20–29
50 February 14 Philadelphia W 107–99 21–29
51 February 15 @ Cleveland L 92–128 21–30
52 February 19 Detroit W 106–102 22–30
53 February 21 Indiana W 105–101 23–30
54 February 22 @ Atlanta L 107–119 23–31
55 February 25 Boston W 109–95 24–31
56 February 27 Portland W 98–96 25–31
57 February 29 @ Detroit W 99–90 26–31
March
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
58 March 1 New York W 90–75 27–31
59 March 4 @ L. A. Lakers L 92–101 27–32
60 March 6 @ Utah L 96–117 27–33
61 March 7 @ Seattle L 98–109 27–34
62 March 10 @ Golden State L 122–129 27–35
63 March 13 @ Boston W 110–108 28–35
64 March 14 @ New York W 96–94 (OT) 29–35
65 March 17 Chicago L 79–90 29–36
66 March 20 Washington W 99–96 30–36
67 March 22 @ Miami L 100–107 30–37
68 March 23 Charlotte W 123–120 31–37
69 March 25 Boston L 110–118 31–38
70 March 28 Golden State L 148–153 (OT) 31–39
71 March 30 San Antonio W 117–109 32–39
April
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
72 April 1 @ Milwaukee W 121–117 33–39
73 April 3 Milwaukee W 122–103 34–39
74 April 5 @ Indiana W 128–120 35–39
75 April 7 Atlanta L 97–104 35–40
76 April 8 @ Washington W 109–103 36–40
77 April 10 Cleveland W 110–86 37–40
78 April 11 @ Atlanta L 98–118 37–41
79 April 13 @ Orlando W 110–104 38–41
80 April 14 @ Miami W 105–100 39–41
81 April 16 Indiana L 113–119 39–42
82 April 18 Orlando W 127–111 40–42

Playoffs

1992 playoff game log
First Round: 1–3 (home: 1–1; road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 23 @ Cleveland L 113–120 Dražen Petrović (40) Derrick Coleman (11) Derrick Coleman (9) Richfield Coliseum
16,512 		0–1
2 April 25 @ Cleveland L 96–118 Derrick Coleman (24) Derrick Coleman (9) Mookie Blaylock (6) Richfield Coliseum
20,273 		0–2
3 April 28 Cleveland W 109–104 Chris Morris (28) Derrick Coleman (11) Mookie Blaylock (12) Brendan Byrne Arena
15,258 		1–2
4 April 30 Cleveland L 89–98 Coleman, Morris (22) Derrick Coleman (14) Derrick Coleman (6) Brendan Byrne Arena
13,071 		1–3
1992 schedule

Player statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Season

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Dražen Petrović 82 82 36.9 .508 .444 .808 3.1 3.1 1.3 0.1 20.6
Derrick Coleman 65 58 34.0 .504 .303 .763 9.5 3.2 0.8 1.5 19.8
Sam Bowie 71 61 30.7 .445 .320 .757 8.1 2.6 0.6 1.7 15.0
Mookie Blaylock 72 67 35.4 .432 .222 .712 3.7 6.8 2.4 0.6 13.8
Chris Morris 77 74 31.1 .477 .200 .714 6.4 2.6 1.7 1.1 11.4
Terry Mills 82 24 20.9 .463 .348 .750 5.5 1.0 0.6 0.5 9.0
Kenny Anderson 64 13 17.0 .390 .231 .745 2.0 3.2 1.0 0.1 7.0
Tate George 70 2 14.8 .427 .167 .821 1.5 2.3 0.6 0.0 6.0
Rafael Addison 76 8 15.5 .433 .286 .737 2.2 0.9 0.4 0.4 5.8
Chris Dudley 82 21 23.2 .403 .468 9.0 0.7 0.5 2.2 5.6
Jud Buechler 2 0 14.5 .500 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.5 4.0
Doug Lee 46 0 6.7 .431 .270 .526 0.8 0.5 0.2 0.0 2.6
Dave Feitl 34 0 5.1 .429 .842 1.8 0.2 0.1 0.1 2.4

Playoffs

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Dražen Petrović 4 4 40.8 .539 .333 .846 2.5 3.3 1.0 0.3 24.3
Derrick Coleman 4 4 40.5 .486 .167 .762 11.3 5.3 1.8 1.0 22.3
Chris Morris 4 4 33.8 .552 .400 .778 5.0 1.3 1.8 1.8 18.8
Mookie Blaylock 4 4 37.0 .309 .167 .750 4.0 7.8 3.8 0.5 9.5
Sam Bowie 4 4 28.0 .424 .500 .667 4.8 2.3 0.8 0.8 9.3
Terry Mills 4 0 19.3 .370 .000 .636 6.0 2.0 0.3 0.5 6.8
Rafael Addison 1 0 9.0 .286 .500 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 5.0
Tate George 4 0 11.0 .304 .333 0.0 2.0 0.8 0.3 3.8
Chris Dudley 4 0 19.3 .357 .500 6.3 0.8 0.5 2.5 3.5
Kenny Anderson 3 0 8.0 .333 1.000 1.0 1.0 0.3 0.0 2.7
Dave Feitl 1 0 3.0 .500 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.0
Doug Lee 2 0 3.0 .000 .000 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.5 0.0

Player statistics citation:[11]

References

  1. ^ 1991–92 New Jersey Nets
  2. ^ Goldaper, Sam (June 27, 1991). "BASKETBALL; Hornets Make Johnson No. 1 Pick in the Draft". The New York Times. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  3. ^ "UNLV's Johnson Is No. 1: NBA Draft: Coaches' Attempts in Charlotte and New Jersey to Select Billy Owens Are Overruled. Three UNLV Players Are Taken in the First Round". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. June 27, 1991. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  4. ^ "1991 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  5. ^ Curry, Jack (November 8, 1991). "BASKETBALL; Nets Finally Sign Anderson". The New York Times. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  6. ^ Voisin, Ailene (January 5, 1992). "Nets, Kenny Anderson Floundering in Jersey". Greensboro. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  7. ^ Goldaper, Sam (August 2, 1991). "BASKETBALL; Nets Want Anderson's Autograph". The New York Times. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  8. ^ Lifer, Evan st. (April 12, 1992). "NEW JERSEY Q & A: ROY HINSON; An Injured Star Hopes to Shine Again". The New York Times. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  9. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 1992". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  10. ^ "1991–92 New Jersey Nets Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  11. ^ a b c "1991–92 New Jersey Nets Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  12. ^ "Pro Basketball". Gadsden Times. February 8, 1992. p. D2. Retrieved October 12, 2025.
  13. ^ "NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 12, 2025.
  14. ^ "NBA Names Ellison Most Improved Player". Deseret News. Associated Press. May 7, 1992. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  15. ^ a b "1991–92 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  16. ^ Harvin, Al (May 1, 1992). "PRO BASKETBALL; Nets a House Afire, But the Wrong Kind". The New York Times. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  17. ^ "Cavaliers Defeat Nets, 98-89, to Earn a Shot at the Celtics". Deseret News. Associated Press. May 1, 1992. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  18. ^ "1992 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Nets vs. Cavaliers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  19. ^ "1991–92 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  20. ^ Berger, Phil (November 4, 1992). "BASKETBALL; Nets Reduce Logjam by Trading Blaylock to Hawks". The New York Times. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  21. ^ "New Jersey Trades Blaylock to Atlanta". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. November 4, 1992. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  22. ^ "Nets Ship Blaylock to Hawks". Deseret News. Associated Press. November 4, 1992. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  23. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; A Summit Conference Between Nets and Mills". The New York Times. September 26, 1992. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  24. ^ "Miscellany". Los Angeles Times. September 16, 1992. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  25. ^ Araton, Harvey (May 7, 1992). "BASKETBALL; Nets Ready to Replace Fitch as Coach". The New York Times. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  26. ^ Thomas Jr., Robert Mcg. (May 13, 1992). "BASKETBALL; Fitch Says He Made the Decision to Step Down as Coach of the Nets". The New York Times. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  27. ^ "New Jersey Nets Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
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