The New Jersey Nets made their first NBA Finals appearance after defeating the Boston Celtics 96-88 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Championship in 2002. The Nets went on to defeat the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in four games. They lost to the San Antonio Spurs in six games. During the 2001-02 season, the Nets roster was stacked with Jason Kidd, Richard Jefferson, Kenyon Martin, and Keith Van Horn. They made their second Finals appearance in 2002-03 but did not advance past the Conference Finals.
Today in Sports History: May 31
LOS ANGELES - JUNE 5: Shaquille O'Neal #34 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Jason Kidd #5 of the New Jersey Nets shake hands prior to playing in Game one of the 2002 NBA Finals at the Staples Center on June 5, 2002 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2002 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)