Last Updated on July 30, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
League Search Page > NBA > New Jersey Nets > Roster & Statistics
The 1979–80 New Jersey Nets were led offensively by Mike Newlin, with Bernard King emerging as a major scoring threat and Ray Williams directing the offence as the primary playmaker. Rich Kelley anchored the frontcourt with strong rebounding and interior production. The Nets relied on balanced scoring and solid work on the glass, but inconsistent shooting efficiency and defensive play limited their ability to sustain success.
Roster
| No. | Player | Pos | Height | Weight | Birth Date | Age | College/From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | Bernard King | SF | 6’7″ | 205 lbs | Dec 4, 1956 | 23 | Tennessee |
| 10 | John Williamson | SG | 6’2″ | 185 lbs | Nov 10, 1951 | 28 | New Mexico State |
| 20 | Eddie Jordan | PG | 6’1″ | 170 lbs | Jan 29, 1955 | 25 | Rutgers |
| 21 | George Johnson | C | 6’11” | 205 lbs | Dec 18, 1948 | 31 | Dillard |
| 23 | Tim Bassett | PF | 6’8″ | 225 lbs | Apr 1, 1951 | 28 | Georgia |
| 24 | Jan van Breda Kolff | SF | 6’7″ | 195 lbs | Dec 5, 1951 | 28 | Vanderbilt |
| 44 | Winford Boynes | SG | 6’6″ | 185 lbs | May 17, 1957 | 22 | USF (San Francisco) |
| 25 | Cliff Robinson | PF | 6’9″ | 225 lbs | Mar 13, 1960 | 20 | USC |
| 52 | Mike Newlin | SG | 6’4″ | 200 lbs | Jan 2, 1949 | 31 | Utah |
| 50 | Mike Gminski | C | 6’11” | 250 lbs | Aug 3, 1959 | 20 | Duke |
| 31 | Foots Walker | PG | 6’0″ | 170 lbs | May 21, 1951 | 28 | West Georgia |
| 32 | Calvin Natt | SF | 6’6″ | 220 lbs | Jan 8, 1957 | 23 | Northeast Louisiana |
| 11 | Al Skinner | SG | 6’5″ | 190 lbs | Jun 16, 1952 | 27 | UMass |
Roster may include midseason changes. Ages are based on the 1979–80 season.
Regular Season Per Game
| PLR | POS | AGE | G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TPG | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3PA | 3PM | 3P% | FTA | FTM | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Newlin | SG | 31 | 78 | 32.2 | 20.9 | 3.4 | 4.0 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 3.0 | 17.0 | 7.8 | .460 | 1.9 | 0.6 | .296 | 5.3 | 4.7 | .884 | |
| Calvin Natt | SF | 23 | 53 | 38.6 | 19.7 | 9.7 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 2.5 | 16.6 | 7.9 | .479 | 0.1 | 0.0 | .200 | 5.3 | 3.8 | .711 | |
| John Williamson | SG | 28 | 28 | 27.5 | 17.7 | 1.9 | 3.1 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 16.5 | 7.4 | .447 | 0.7 | 0.3 | .421 | 3.1 | 2.7 | .864 | |
| Maurice Lucas | PF | 27 | 22 | 32.2 | 15.2 | 9.6 | 3.8 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 3.2 | 11.9 | 5.8 | .490 | 0.2 | 0.0 | .000 | 4.6 | 3.6 | .775 | |
| Cliff Robinson | PF | 19 | 70 | 23.7 | 13.6 | 7.2 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 11.9 | 5.6 | .469 | 0.1 | 0.0 | .250 | 3.5 | 2.4 | .694 | |
| Eddie Jordan | PG | 25 | 82 | 82 | 32.4 | 13.3 | 3.3 | 6.8 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 3.1 | 12.4 | 5.3 | .430 | 0.6 | 0.1 | .250 | 3.1 | 2.5 | .779 |
| Roger Phegley | SG | 23 | 28 | 19.3 | 11.7 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 1.8 | 9.3 | 4.5 | .485 | 0.1 | 0.1 | .500 | 3.0 | 2.6 | .880 | |
| Rich Kelley | C | 26 | 57 | 25.7 | 10.0 | 7.0 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 2.7 | 7.0 | 3.3 | .466 | 0.1 | 0.0 | .000 | 4.4 | 3.5 | .788 | |
| Winford Boynes | SG | 22 | 64 | 17.2 | 8.5 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 7.3 | 3.5 | .473 | 0.1 | 0.0 | .000 | 2.1 | 1.6 | .765 | |
| George Johnson | C | 31 | 81 | 26.2 | 7.2 | 7.4 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 3.2 | 2.5 | 6.7 | 3.1 | .457 | 0.0 | 0.0 | .000 | 1.6 | 1.1 | .706 | |
| Jan van Breda Kolff | SF | 28 | 82 | 29.3 | 6.8 | 5.2 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 5.6 | 2.6 | .463 | 0.2 | 0.1 | .350 | 1.9 | 1.6 | .839 | |
| Bob Elliott | PF | 24 | 54 | 13.4 | 5.7 | 3.4 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 1.6 | 4.2 | 1.9 | .443 | 0.1 | 0.0 | .250 | 2.8 | 1.9 | .684 | |
| Robert Smith | PG | 24 | 59 | 12.5 | 5.2 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 4.3 | 1.9 | .445 | 0.4 | 0.1 | .308 | 1.5 | 1.3 | .862 | |
| Ralph Simpson | SG | 30 | 8 | 10.1 | 5.1 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 5.9 | 2.3 | .383 | 0.3 | 0.0 | .000 | 1.3 | 0.6 | .500 | |
| Phil Jackson | PF | 34 | 16 | 12.1 | 4.1 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 2.9 | 1.8 | .630 | 0.1 | 0.0 | .000 | 0.6 | 0.4 | .700 | |
| Tim Bassett | PF | 28 | 7 | 13.1 | 3.4 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 3.1 | 1.1 | .364 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.7 | 1.1 | .667 | ||
| Totals | 82 | 82 | 241.5 | 108.3 | 45.9 | 25.5 | 10.6 | 7.1 | 20.8 | 91.5 | 42.1 | .461 | 3.6 | 1.0 | .285 | 29.3 | 23.0 | .782 |
Regular Season Per 36 Minutes
| PLR | POS | AGE | G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TPG | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3PA | 3PM | 3P% | FTA | FTM | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Newlin | SG | 31 | 78 | 32.2 | 23.4 | 3.8 | 4.5 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 3.3 | 19.1 | 8.8 | .460 | 2.2 | 0.6 | .296 | 6.0 | 5.3 | .884 | |
| John Williamson | SG | 28 | 28 | 27.5 | 23.2 | 2.5 | 4.1 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 2.0 | 21.5 | 9.6 | .447 | 0.9 | 0.4 | .421 | 4.1 | 3.5 | .864 | |
| Roger Phegley | SG | 23 | 28 | 19.3 | 21.8 | 4.7 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 3.3 | 17.3 | 8.4 | .485 | 0.3 | 0.1 | .500 | 5.5 | 4.9 | .880 | |
| Cliff Robinson | PF | 19 | 70 | 23.7 | 20.6 | 11.0 | 2.1 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 3.0 | 18.1 | 8.5 | .469 | 0.1 | 0.0 | .250 | 5.2 | 3.6 | .694 | |
| Calvin Natt | SF | 23 | 53 | 38.6 | 18.3 | 9.0 | 2.0 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 2.3 | 15.5 | 7.4 | .479 | 0.1 | 0.0 | .200 | 4.9 | 3.5 | .711 | |
| Ralph Simpson | SG | 30 | 8 | 10.1 | 18.2 | 4.9 | 6.2 | 4.0 | 0.0 | 5.3 | 20.9 | 8.0 | .383 | 0.9 | 0.0 | .000 | 4.4 | 2.2 | .500 | |
| Winford Boynes | SG | 22 | 64 | 17.2 | 17.8 | 4.3 | 3.1 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 3.1 | 15.3 | 7.2 | .473 | 0.1 | 0.0 | .000 | 4.4 | 3.4 | .765 | |
| Maurice Lucas | PF | 27 | 22 | 32.2 | 17.0 | 10.8 | 4.2 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 3.6 | 13.3 | 6.5 | .490 | 0.2 | 0.0 | .000 | 5.2 | 4.0 | .775 | |
| Bob Elliott | PF | 24 | 54 | 13.4 | 15.3 | 9.2 | 2.6 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 4.4 | 11.4 | 5.0 | .443 | 0.2 | 0.0 | .250 | 7.6 | 5.2 | .684 | |
| Robert Smith | PG | 24 | 59 | 12.5 | 15.1 | 3.7 | 4.2 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 2.5 | 12.4 | 5.5 | .445 | 1.3 | 0.4 | .308 | 4.3 | 3.7 | .862 | |
| Eddie Jordan | PG | 25 | 82 | 82 | 32.4 | 14.7 | 3.7 | 7.5 | 3.0 | 0.4 | 3.5 | 13.8 | 5.9 | .430 | 0.7 | 0.2 | .250 | 3.5 | 2.7 | .779 |
| Rich Kelley | C | 26 | 57 | 25.7 | 14.0 | 9.7 | 3.1 | 1.2 | 1.9 | 3.7 | 9.8 | 4.6 | .466 | 0.1 | 0.0 | .000 | 6.1 | 4.8 | .788 | |
| Phil Jackson | PF | 34 | 16 | 12.1 | 12.1 | 4.5 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 8.5 | 5.4 | .630 | 0.4 | 0.0 | .000 | 1.9 | 1.3 | .700 | |
| George Johnson | C | 31 | 81 | 26.2 | 9.9 | 10.2 | 2.9 | 0.9 | 4.4 | 3.4 | 9.2 | 4.2 | .457 | 0.0 | 0.0 | .000 | 2.1 | 1.5 | .706 | |
| Tim Bassett | PF | 28 | 7 | 13.1 | 9.4 | 7.0 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 1.6 | 8.6 | 3.1 | .364 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4.7 | 3.1 | .667 | ||
| Jan van Breda Kolff | SF | 28 | 82 | 29.3 | 8.4 | 6.4 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 2.4 | 6.9 | 3.2 | .463 | 0.3 | 0.1 | .350 | 2.3 | 2.0 | .839 | |
| Totals |
Regular Season Totals
| PLR | POS | AGE | GP | GS | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3PA | 3PM | 3P% | FTA | FTM | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Newlin | SG | 31 | 78 | 2510 | 1634 | 264 | 314 | 115 | 4 | 231 | 1329 | 611 | .460 | 152 | 45 | .296 | 415 | 367 | .884 | |
| Eddie Jordan | PG | 25 | 82 | 82 | 2657 | 1087 | 270 | 557 | 223 | 27 | 258 | 1017 | 437 | .430 | 48 | 12 | .250 | 258 | 201 | .779 |
| Calvin Natt | SF | 23 | 53 | 2046 | 1042 | 513 | 112 | 78 | 22 | 133 | 879 | 421 | .479 | 5 | 1 | .200 | 280 | 199 | .711 | |
| Cliff Robinson | PF | 19 | 70 | 1661 | 951 | 506 | 98 | 61 | 34 | 137 | 833 | 391 | .469 | 4 | 1 | .250 | 242 | 168 | .694 | |
| George Johnson | C | 31 | 81 | 2119 | 585 | 602 | 173 | 53 | 258 | 199 | 543 | 248 | .457 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 126 | 89 | .706 | |
| Rich Kelley | C | 26 | 57 | 1466 | 569 | 397 | 128 | 50 | 79 | 152 | 399 | 186 | .466 | 3 | 0 | .000 | 250 | 197 | .788 | |
| Jan van Breda Kolff | SF | 28 | 82 | 2399 | 561 | 429 | 247 | 100 | 76 | 158 | 458 | 212 | .463 | 20 | 7 | .350 | 155 | 130 | .839 | |
| Winford Boynes | SG | 22 | 64 | 1102 | 546 | 133 | 95 | 59 | 19 | 96 | 467 | 221 | .473 | 4 | 0 | .000 | 136 | 104 | .765 | |
| John Williamson | SG | 28 | 28 | 771 | 496 | 54 | 87 | 26 | 9 | 43 | 461 | 206 | .447 | 19 | 8 | .421 | 88 | 76 | .864 | |
| Maurice Lucas | PF | 27 | 22 | 708 | 335 | 212 | 83 | 19 | 27 | 70 | 261 | 128 | .490 | 4 | 0 | .000 | 102 | 79 | .775 | |
| Roger Phegley | SG | 23 | 28 | 541 | 327 | 70 | 32 | 15 | 4 | 49 | 260 | 126 | .485 | 4 | 2 | .500 | 83 | 73 | .880 | |
| Robert Smith | PG | 24 | 59 | 736 | 309 | 76 | 85 | 22 | 4 | 52 | 254 | 113 | .445 | 26 | 8 | .308 | 87 | 75 | .862 | |
| Bob Elliott | PF | 24 | 54 | 722 | 307 | 185 | 53 | 29 | 14 | 88 | 228 | 101 | .443 | 4 | 1 | .250 | 152 | 104 | .684 | |
| Phil Jackson | PF | 34 | 16 | 194 | 65 | 24 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 46 | 29 | .630 | 2 | 0 | .000 | 10 | 7 | .700 | |
| Ralph Simpson | SG | 30 | 8 | 81 | 41 | 11 | 14 | 9 | 0 | 12 | 47 | 18 | .383 | 2 | 0 | .000 | 10 | 5 | .500 | |
| Tim Bassett | PF | 28 | 7 | 92 | 24 | 18 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 22 | 8 | .364 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 8 | .667 | ||
| Totals | 82 | 82 | 19805 | 8879 | 3764 | 2094 | 869 | 581 | 1691 | 7504 | 3456 | .461 | 298 | 85 | .285 | 2406 | 1882 | .782 |
HeatingUp Impact Index: Team Impact Spotlight
| Player Name | Role Tier | MPG | Usage Tier | PPG | RPG | APG | STK (SPG+BPG) | Impact Index* | Notes | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Newlin | Primary Scorer / Offensive Engine | 32.2 | High | 20.9 | 3.4 | 4.0 | 1.6 | 14.95 | Volume scoring guard who carried perimeter offense, strong free-throw efficiency, frequently closed games as go-to option; played major minutes despite defensive limitations. | — |
| Calvin Natt | Two-Way Forward / Interior Anchor | 38.6 | High | 19.7 | 9.7 | 2.1 | 1.9 | 16.70 | Emerging star wing-forward with heavy minutes, elite rebounding for position, consistent interior scoring and physical defense; focal point of frontcourt offense. | — |
| Maurice Lucas | Physical Enforcer / Secondary Scorer | 32.2 | Medium-High | 15.2 | 9.6 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 15.35 | Tough, high-motor power forward who set the tone defensively and facilitated from the post; known for physicality and leadership despite limited games played. | — |
| Eddie Jordan | Primary Playmaker | 32.4 | High | 13.3 | 3.3 | 6.8 | 3.0 | 13.20 | Lead guard responsible for organizing offense, high assist load, disruptive perimeter defender with elite steal rate for a guard. | — |
| John Williamson | Microwave Scorer | 27.5 | Medium-High | 17.7 | 1.9 | 3.1 | 1.2 | 11.95 | Explosive scorer off the bench, instant offense with deep shooting range; role focused almost entirely on shot creation. | — |
| Cliff Robinson | Developing Frontcourt Scorer | 23.7 | Medium | 13.6 | 7.2 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 11.80 | Teenage rookie showing advanced interior scoring and rebounding instincts; long-term upside evident despite limited offensive polish. | — |
| George Johnson | Defensive Anchor / Rim Protector | 26.2 | Low | 7.2 | 7.4 | 2.1 | 3.9 | 10.30 | Elite shot blocker who anchored the paint defensively; offensive role limited but defensive impact was substantial. | — |
| Rich Kelley | Rotation Big / Interior Finisher | 25.7 | Low-Medium | 10.0 | 7.0 | 2.2 | 2.3 | 10.75 | Reliable interior presence with solid rebounding and rim protection; filled minutes across multiple frontcourt roles. | — |
| Jan van Breda Kolff | Utility Wing / Glue Guy | 29.3 | Low | 6.8 | 5.2 | 3.0 | 2.1 | 8.55 | Versatile wing who contributed across categories, defensive awareness and ball movement valued more than scoring. | — |
| Roger Phegley | Bench Scorer | 19.3 | Medium | 11.7 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 7.95 | Efficient reserve scorer who provided spacing and short-burst offense in limited minutes. | — |
| Winford Boynes | Defensive Guard / Role Player | 17.2 | Low | 8.5 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 6.65 | Defense-first guard tasked with pressure defense and energy minutes; limited offensive responsibility. | — |
| Phil Jackson | Veteran Enforcer / Locker-Room Leader | 12.1 | Very Low | 4.1 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 3.50 | End-of-career veteran used situationally for toughness and experience; minimal offensive role. | — |
| Bob Elliott | Depth Big | 13.4 | Very Low | 5.7 | 3.4 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 5.45 | Reserve power forward providing short frontcourt stints; limited but functional contributor. | — |
| Robert Smith | Backup Guard | 12.5 | Very Low | 5.2 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 4.20 | Low-usage reserve guard focused on ball security and spot minutes behind starters. | — |
| Ralph Simpson | Energy Guard | 10.1 | Low | 5.1 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 4.70 | Short-rotation guard providing defensive pressure and hustle in limited appearances. | — |
| Tim Bassett | Emergency Frontcourt Depth | 13.1 | Very Low | 3.4 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 3.65 | Minimal-usage depth big used sparingly; role centered on fouls, screens, and spot minutes. | — |