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The Nets were established in 1967 in the American Basketball Association. They were previously called the New York Americans and they played in Teaneck, New Jersey where they changed their team name to the New Jersey Americans. During the playoffs, they had to find another arena to play in because their NJ arena was already booked by another event. They then moved to Long Island where they changed their team name to the New York Nets. They changed it to the Nets because it rhymed with the other NY sports teams the NY Jets and NY Mets.During this time, they won two ABA Championships led by franchise player Julius "Dr.J" Erving.
In 1976 the NBA and ABA merged which allowed the Nets to join the NBA. Because of poor attendance the Nets moved back to NJ and was renamed again the New Jersey Nets. During their time in New Jersey, they made back to back NBA Finals appearances in 2002 & 2003 led by star point guard Jason Kidd. The Nets officially moved to Brooklyn in 2012.
Jason Kidd
Throughout the history of the Nets they have developed some rivalries around the NBA.
Arguably the biggest rival of the Brooklyn Nets. They are rivals mostly because of how close in location they play. The are the two basketball teams in New York City and they both have been trying to win over the fans in New York. Although the Knicks have been around much longer, the Nets want to take over New York by bringing in a winning culture which is something the Knicks have not had in a very long time. The players themselves do not have a rivalry with eachother as the rivalry is started through the fans and upper management of both teams.
The Toronto Raptors are another main rival for the Nets. They have competed against eachother in the playoffs twice, in 2007 and 2014. In last years playoffs, both teams did trash talking which stirred up a competitive rivalry between the two teams. The Nets eliminated the Raptors in the playoffs.