The 1981–82 New Jersey Nets were led by Buck Williams, whose scoring and dominant rebounding established him as the team’s cornerstone in the frontcourt. Mike Newlin and Otis Birdsong provided reliable perimeter scoring, while Foots Walker handled the primary playmaking duties. The Nets’ strengths were their rebounding and balanced offensive contributions, but inconsistent shooting efficiency and limited overall offensive production hindered their consistency.
Roster
No.
Player
Pos
Height
Weight
Birth Date
Age
College/From
33
James Bailey
F
6’9″
220 lbs
May 21, 1957
24
Rutgers
10
Otis Birdsong
G
6’3″
190 lbs
Dec 9, 1955
26
Houston
12
Darwin Cook
G
6’3″
184 lbs
Aug 6, 1958
23
Portland
44
Len Elmore
F/C
6’9″
220 lbs
Mar 28, 1952
29
Maryland
42
Mike Gminski
C
6’11”
250 lbs
Aug 3, 1959
22
Duke
55
Albert King
F
6’6″
190 lbs
Dec 17, 1959
22
Maryland
40
Sam Lacey
C
6’10”
235 lbs
Mar 28, 1948
33
New Mexico State
31
Mike O’Koren
F
6’7″
207 lbs
Feb 7, 1958
23
North Carolina
20
Jan van Breda Kolff
F
6’7″
195 lbs
Dec 16, 1951
30
Vanderbilt
1
Foots Walker
G
6’0″
184 lbs
May 21, 1951
30
West Georgia
52
Buck Williams
F
6’8″
215 lbs
Oct 14, 1954
27
Maryland
13
Ray Williams
G
6’3″
188 lbs
Oct 14, 1954
27
Minnesota
Note: Ages are calculated as of the 1981–82 NBA season.
Led team with elite rebounding and interior defense; pivotal rookie who improved team record significantly and was central to Nets’ physical identity. League’s leading rebound machine among rookies.
Rookie of the Year, All-Rookie 1st Team
Ray Williams
Primary Scoring & Facilitation Guard
33.3
High
20.4
4.0
6.0
2.9
16.7
Team’s top scorer and floor general; created offense at a high volume, driving scoring and playmaking with significant steal activity.
Player of the Week (Apr 1982)
Otis Birdsong
Secondary Scoring Guard
27.7
Mid
14.2
2.6
3.4
0.9
10.6
Efficient off-ball scoring threat when available; offered spacing and complementary offense alongside Ray Williams before injuries limited games.
—
Albert King
Supporting Wing Scorer
22.3
Mid
12.1
4.1
1.9
1.3
9.2
Young wing providing scoring punch and rebounding from SF position; offered secondary offensive options and two-way minutes.
—
Mike O’Koren
Versatile Forward Facilitator
25.2
Mid
11.4
3.8
2.4
1.2
9.4
Balanced contributor with multi-faceted game; role as a connector between scoring and defense.
—
Darwin Cook
Backup Playmaker / Role Guard
25.5
Mid
11.0
1.9
3.9
2.1
9.5
Provided secondary ball-handling duties, defensively active with steals, and stabilized bench offense.
—
Len Elmore
Defensive Interior
25.9
Low
9.1
5.4
1.2
2.2
9.5
Defensive-minded big providing rim resistance and spacing; value from rebounding and blocks.
—
James Bailey
Role Frontcourt
19.2
Low
8.9
5.1
0.8
1.4
8.1
Complementary post scorer and rebounder; occasional interior presence.
—
Foots Walker
Facilitator Off Guard
24.2
Low
5.9
1.9
5.2
1.7
7.3
Primary backup PG with assist focus; steady distribution and veteran leadership.
—
Mike Woodson
Limited Minutes Scorer
20.7
Low
11.9
1.9
2.3
1.3
8.7
Small sample scoring and veteran scoring punch in limited games.
—
Mike Gminski
Rotational Big
11.6
Low
5.2
2.9
0.6
1.1
4.9
Spot minutes center, provided size and rebounding in bench units.
—
Sam Lacey
Veteran Center Depth
12.0
Low
2.9
1.9
1.4
1.1
3.7
Experienced big man adding depth and physicality.
—
Jan van Breda Kolff
Depth Wing
11.0
Low
3.5
1.2
0.8
0.6
3.0
Bench perimeter option with modest contributions.
—
Ray Tolbert
Frontcourt Reserve
9.6
Low
3.7
2.3
0.7
0.5
3.5
Short rotation minutes as a big reserve.
—
David Burns
Short-Stint Guard
11.3
Low
2.3
0.7
1.3
1.3
2.8
Minimal minutes; limited impact but provided brief bench guard play.
