© USA TODAY
Kenny Anderson's Overlooked Stint as a Nets Guard
During the 1990s, most NBA fans’ eyes were set on Gary Payton and John Stockton as the premier guards in the league. While certain guards went unnoticed, and Kenny Anderson, the floor general for the New Jersey Nets, was among them.
He was one of the most consistent players for the Nets in the early 1990s highlighted by his 1993/94 season when he played and started in all 82 games in the regular season and he was averaging almost a double-double of 18.8 points and 9.6 assists per game. Despite his fantastic performances, Kenny was still under-appreciated by many.
“Kenny Anderson captivated the city at a young age and you have to put him in the conversation of being the greatest PG to come from New York,” Rod Strickland told Andscape. “I still remember watching him when he played for the Nets put a move on Joe Dumars that almost made him hit his head on the scorer’s table. Great handle, great finisher; he was special.”
Anderson gradually became one of the best point guards
When he was a prospect, Anderson received plenty of plaudits for dominating the New York basketball scene. During his high school days, he achieved legendary status within the state, and his impressive performance continued at Georgia Tech in college, particularly during the 1990/91 season when he averaged an impressive 25.9 points per game.
Upon entering the NBA at the age of 20, he held the title of the league's youngest player, limiting his playing time as he underwent development within the Nets system. However, a significant transformation occurred during his third year in the 1993/94 season, where he achieved nearly a double-double average.
The lefty guard was a problem to defend because he always had a move to throw off his defenders. He possessed a precise pull-up jumper from the right wing, establishing himself as a dependable shooter. Nevertheless, his playmaking skills were accentuated by his capability to accelerate the pace and deliver precise passes to his teammates.
Anderson deserves more respect for being a great point guard
Nets fans remember how Anderson helped the Nets in the early 1990s but modern-day fans have mostly forgotten about him. Jason Kidd is the de facto Nets point guard that people talk about, but Anderson deserves credit for his contributions to the team. He was an All-Star during the 1993/94 season and was a consistent contributor in the following campaigns.
'Mr. Chibbs' himself believes he was in the wrong era because he knows he has the skill sets to stand out in the modern game. Given more opportunities to showcase his pick-and-roll prowess and playmaking instincts, Kenny has a compelling argument for making it in today's game. Ultimately, he remains a remarkable player deserving of the spotlight.
