New Jersey Nets Memorabilia Buying Guide

 By Sean J. O'Rourke

Since their formation in 2001, there have been few more exciting players in the NBA than the "Big Three" of the New Jersey Nets. Consisting of future NBA Hall of Fame point guard Jason Kidd, sensational showstopper Vince Carter and veteran playmaker Richard Jefferson, the "Big Three" made New Jersey into a perennial powerhouse in the NBA's Eastern Conference. Jason Kidd was acquired in 2001 when the Nets shipped all-NBA point guard Stephon Marbury to the Phoenix Suns in a daring blockbuster trade by Nets general manager Rod Thorne.  Thorne is best known throughout sports as the man who drafted Michael Jordan during his time as general manager of the Chicago Bulls.

With Kidd in place, Thorne made another trade that proved fruitful for the Nets as he traded rookie Eddie Griffin to the Houston Rockets for Richard Jefferson, Jason Collins and Brandon Armstrong on the evening of the 2001 NBA Draft. The Nets core of Jefferson, Kidd, young former #1 draft pick Kenyon Martin and sharpshooter Kerry Kittles led New Jersey to two consecutive NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003, losing to Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers, and Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs, respectively. In 2004 the Big Three would come together when Thorne dealt center Alonzo Mourning, who'd missed most of the season due to a kidney ailment, to the Toronto Raptors for disgruntled superstar Vince Carter. Despite the addition of one of the NBA's all-time greatest dunkers, the Nets were eliminated from the playoffs that season again by Shaquille O'Neal and the Miami Heat in the first round. The New Jersey Nets have made the playoffs every season since the acquisition of Jason Kidd in 2001 and with the additions of key young players like Sean Williams and Devin Harris, the team's future is looking bright.

When you have a once-in-a-decade player like future NBA Hall of Famer Jason Kidd on your roster you have a team to be watched. The same is said of your sports collection—you need memorabilia from solid players on the court that will turn your collectibles into assets. Jason Kidd, Vince Carter and Dr. J, Julius Erving are all players who will be forever remembered as faces of their generations. Investments in their memorabilia are not only aesthetically pleasing but also financially wise. If you're looking to add some serious power to your collection, these are five great items to do just that.

• AUTOGRAPHED JASON KIDD UNIFORM: Own this authentic New Jersey Nets jersey hand signed by arguably the greatest point guard in the history of the National Basketball Association. This authentic NBA jersey, made by Champion, is a Jason Kidd #5 Nets road/away jersey autographed by the man himself. Kidd is third all-time on the NBA's triple-doubles list behind NBA Hall of Famers Oscar Roberston and Magic Johnson.

• JASON KIDD AUTOGRAPHED BASKEBALL: This Spalding NBA basketball is hand signed by future NBA Hallof Famer Jason Kidd. Kidd is known throughout the world for being not only arguably the best point guard in NBA history but for his outstanding play for the United States Olympic Basketball team or "Team USA.”  Kidd hand signed this ball along with "Mr. Triple Double" under his signature.

• AUTOGRAPHED VINCE CARTER BASKETBALL: This official NBA Spalding Basketball is signed by the one and only “Vinsanity” himself, Vince Carter. Carter is one of the NBA's all-time most prolific dunkers, along with the likes of Michael Jordan, Julius Erving and Dominique Wilkins. Vince Carter is an eight-time NBA All Star and considered by many to be one of the greatest scoring guards in the history of the NBA.

• JASON KIDD SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH: Own this great autographed shot of Jason Kidd going up against Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant during the 2002 NBA Finals when Kidd's Nets battled Kobe's Lakers to decide the NBA Championship. This is a great 16x20” shot of two of the NBA's all-time greatest players, autographed by future Hall of Famer Jason Kidd.

• AUTOGRAPHED VINCE CARTER AND JASON KIDD PHOTO: This is a must have for any Nets fan, a high-quality 16x20” photograph hand signed by two of the NBA's biggest superstars: "Mr. Triple Double" Jason Kidd and "Half-Man Half-Amazing" Vince Carter. Carter is known through the sports universe as being one of the most creative dunkers in NBA history while Kidd is sure-fire first ballot Hall of Famer who many consider the single greatest point guard to ever play the game. Kidd and Carter both signed this photo over their respective jerseys. The two men have combined to play in 17 NBA All Star games, each highly recognized as one of the best of their generation.

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