The New Jersey Nets franchise was founded in 1967 to begin play with the new American Basketball Association (ABA). Despite being located in the largest metropolitan area in the United States, the first few years were extremely difficult for the franchise.

In 1967, New York Americans were named for the first time. The founders, led by Arthur Brown, thought they could play on the East Side of Manhattan, but the Knicks forced them out of the 69th Armory Regiment.

Finally, after struggling, they found a place to play in Teaneck, New Jersey. Instead they would become known as the New Jersey Americans, and during that first season they were moderately successful in reaching the ABA playoffs.

However, the problems started when they were forced to lose games to the Kentucky Colonels in the playoffs. Their home court was booked during the playoffs, forcing them to find a makeshift gym to play at.

They secured Long Island Arena in Commack, New York as a last-second replacement. It was mainly a hockey field, but they brought material to make a basketball field. However, wood paneling was missing, the edges 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 in these conditions. The commissioner had no choice but to have the Americans forfeit the games instead, ultimately losing the series.

The next season, they would officially become the New Jersey Nets. This was also going to rhyme with the Mets and Jets in the metro area (not to mention it made sense for basketball). They would stay on Long Island, and this time they would have a more permanent 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 on some bundles first.