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Playing in a rehabilitated armory in Teaneck , New Jersey , the Americans took the floor on October 23rd against the Pittsburgh Pipers in front of 3,000 fans with a group of semi-pro players as a new league known as the American Basketball Association tried to defy the NBA, for expert basketball superiority. Though, the Americans were a huge crash for the league as the team closes to New York drew less then 1,000 fans per game whereas posting a 36-42 record. In spite of their poor record the Americans faced the Kentucky Colonels in a 1-game playoff to create to qualify for the playoffs. Though the circus left the Teaneck Armory in poor condition and the Colonels were award a forfeit win.
In 1968/69 after a trying season in NJ the New York area ABA franchise shifted to Commack a city on New York 's Long Island . All along with the move came a name change as owner Arthur Brown took gravely a suggestion to pick a name that rhymed with the baseball Mets and football Jets. Though, the Nets failed to come through in what would have been the biggest move losing out on a chance to sign UCLA star Lew Alcindor who received a improved offer to play for the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks. The Nets were a team in change as they made 10 trades and went trough 23 players during an awful 17-61 season.
In 1969/70 the Nets got a new owner as Arthur Brown gave up on the BA by promotion his team to Roy Boe . The nets would also get another new home as the Nets decided to play their home games in the Island Garden in West Hempstead which was faster to Manhattan then Commack . In addition they would land a big name coach as they hired St. John's legendary Coach Lou Carnesecca . Though, Carnesecca had one year residual on his contract at the New York University so The Nets would have to place York Larose as the interim coach for the season. With the adding of Levering Tart who led the team with 24.2 ppg the Nets became spirited qualifying for the playoffs with a 39-45 record. However, despite a valiant 7-game attempt the Nets playoffs end with a 1st round loss to the Kentucky Colonels.
In 1970/71 In Lou Carnesecca's first year as coach the Nets made the playoffs for the second year in a line with a 40-44 record, with Rick Barry pending back from an early season knee injury to finish 2nd in the ABA in scoring at 29.4 ppg. Though once again they would be knocked out after just 1 round losing to the Virginia Squires in the 6 games. With Rick Barry enjoying a fit season and finishing 2nd in scoring again with 31.5 ppg, the Nets post their first winning season at 44-40, as th Nets change homes again in February, leaving the old Island Garden in West Hempstead for the brand new Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale. In the playoffs the Nets will win their first series beating the Kentucky Colonels in 6 games. In the Eastern Finals the Nets fell at the back quickly, losing their first 2 games to the Virginia Squires . Though, the Nets would bounce back to take the next 2 games at the Nassau Coliseum. After losing Game 5 in Virginia the Nets won a Game 6 shoot out 146-136 to set up a important 7th game, which the Nets won in Virginia 94-88. In the ABA Finals the Nets and Indian Pacers went back and forth through the first 4 games, previous to the Pacers scratched out Game 5 by 1 point 100-99. Needing to force a 7th game the Nets season would end with another nail bitter 108-105.
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