The 02’ Nets defeated a pedestrian Boston Celtics team in the Eastern conference finals to set themselves up for a matchup against the loaded Los Angeles Lakers.

The Nets combined star point guard Jason Kidd with young, role players such as Kenyon Martin and Richard Jefferson. Kidd was known for his flashy passes and fast break ability, and for having little star power around him.

While Martin and Jefferson were solid players, neither of them was good enough to be the second best player on a championship team. The Nets had no inside presence and were forced to defend Lakers big man Shaquille O’Neal with mediocre center Jason Collins. O’Neal dominated the series averaging an astounding 36.3 points per game and 12.3 rebounds per game, as the Lakers swept the Nets in four.  

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