Inside The Nets

Unveiling the Childhood Idols of the Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets roster is filled with exceptional talents, but they still learned from iconic players during their youth.

Peter Sunjic

© Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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The Brooklyn Nets have some of the most talented basketball players in the world, but their passion for the game was once ignited by certain players in the NBA. In a short compilation released by the Nets, their players talked about their favorites growing up.

When you look at who their favorites are, you can see those players have left a lasting mark on how they play the game of basketball.

Allen Iverson resonated with everyone

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Allen Iverson was one of the best players in the league. He was a 6’0” guard who could score at all three levels while finishing over the "towers" inside the paint.

Iverson fearlessly drove into the paint, scoring over elite defenders and leaving an indelible mark on basketball culture with his stylish and flamboyant playing style. This resonated with the youth all over the world, including Nets players like Lonnie Walker IV, Dennis Smith Jr., and Royce O’Neale.

Tracy McGrady was an underrated superstar

Tracy McGrady was one of the most talented shooting guards during his heyday in the 2000s. He was taller than most players, but he still had the natural scoring instinct you would want in a player. That is why Mikal Bridges named him as one of their favorite players growing up.

Kobe Bryant is an obvious choice

For most modern NBA fans, they grew up watching Kobe Bryant on their TV screens. He gained immense popularity for his approach to the game, characterized by his trademark "Mamba Mentality."

His natural scoring ability and his obsession with winning became a sticking point to most young players, inspiring them to become basketball players and eventually make it to the big league. The Nets guards Spencer Dinwiddie and Cameron Thomas are among the ones who hailed him as their favorite player.

The Nets players can become the kids’ favorites now

Among the current Nets players, there are strong contenders to become favorites for the youth. Cam Thomas stands out as an obvious one, drawing inspiration from legends like Kobe and AI. As a score-first guard with the mindset of his idols, he is well-positioned to be a youth, and fan favorite for years to come.

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Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

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