Nets Honoring 6 Decades of Team History Next Season

Next season is one of homage for the Brooklyn Nets, who are honoring six decades of team history, called "era nights."

It is a celebration of eras that shaped the franchise into what it is now. "ABA Night," "80s Night," "90s Night," "Swamp Dragons Night," "2000s Night," and "Hello Brooklyn Night" are the six special-themed nights where the team hosts giveaways.

ABA Night is on Nov. 18 against the Chicago Bulls, and Brooklyn is giving away a Dr. J bobblehead for the first 5,000 fans.

Julius Erving, famously known as Dr. J, led the Nets in the late 1970s before the ABA-NBA merger. At the time, the team was called the New York Nets, and it won two ABA titles (1974 and 1976), the only championships in franchise history.

Erving also won MVP during those title-winning seasons, becoming a Nets great before going to the Philadelphia 76ers after the merger.

Alongside the ABA Night, Brooklyn is welcoming back Nicolas Claxton, who was the longest-tenured player for seven seasons. He was traded to the Bulls as part of the four-team Julius Randle trade that landed the 12-year veteran back in New York.

80s Night is on Dec. 18 against the Orlando Magic. The team is giving away a Buck Williams bobblehead to the first 5,000 fans.

Brooklyn, which was located in New Jersey at the time, selected Williams third overall coming out of Maryland in the 1981 draft. Williams spent eight seasons with the team, including three All-Star appearances (1981-82, 1982-83 and 1985-86).

The Nets legend commented on the team's state after Joe Tsai, the owner, said it was embarrassing to see the New York Knicks win the championship. He said the team has a talented young core and needs to add more pieces to be competitive in the Eastern Conference.

90s Night is on Jan. 9 against former Net Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets. They are giving away a Draźen Petrović bobblehead to the first 5,000 fans.

Petrović spent three seasons with the team, and it was the best years of his career. He averaged 22.3 points on a blistering 44.9% from the three-point range.

The team retired his jersey in 1993 following his death in a car accident.

Swamp Dragon Night is on Jan. 29 against the Los Angeles Clippers. They are handing out a Swamp Dragons bobblehead to the first 5,000 fans.

In 1994, the team wanted to rebrand themselves ashe Swamp Dragons. Ownership voted against its own proposal after the NBA approved the change, becoming a "what-if" moment in team identity history.

00s night is on March 15 against the Indiana Pacers. They are giving away a 2003 Finals Mystery Box bobblehead to the first 5,000 fans.

The 2000s were the franchise's second-best era, making back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003. They lost both series against the Los Angeles Lakers (4-0) and the San Antonio Spurs (4-2).

Hello Brooklyn Night is on March 31 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Giveaway information is currently unknown and will likely be revealed at a later date.