The New Jersey Nets franchise was founded in 1967 to begin play with the new American Basketball Association (ABA). Despite being located in the biggest metropolitan area in the United States, the first few years were extremely rough for the franchise.
In 1967, they were first named the New York Americans. The founders, led by Arthur Brown, figured they could play on Manhattan’s East Side, but the Knicks forced them out of the 69th Regiment Armory.
Finally, after scrambling, they found a place to play in Teaneck, New Jersey. They would become known as the New Jersey Americans instead, and during that first season they had moderate success by making the ABA playoffs.
Trouble first started though when they were forced to forfeit games to the Kentucky Colonels in the playoffs. Their home court was booked during the playoffs, making them find a makeshift gym to play in.
They secured Long Island Arena in Commack, New York as a last-second replacement. It was primarily a hockey arena, but they brought in material to make a basketball court. However, wood panels were missing, the rims were not even and there was still a ton of water on the court from hockey.
Due to the findings, the Colonels refused to play under these conditions. The commissioner had no choice but to make the Americans forfeit the games at their place and eventually lose the series.
The very next season, they would officially become the New Jersey Nets. This was to rhyme with the Mets and Jets in the metro area as well (not to mention it made basketball sense). They would stay on Long Island, and this time have a more set place to play.
The team definitely struggled those first two seasons of existence. Even though they made that playoff appearance, it was a total disaster. Later, the Nets would have some solid years in the ABA, but this just goes to show that they had to take some lumps first.
