Before the Denver Nuggets of tod
Before the Denver Nuggets of today existed there was another
team that went by the same name. This team happened to be the first major
professional sports franchise in Colorado. Although part of the NBL, when this
league became part of the NBA, the Denver Nuggets also joined. After only one
season in the NBA the Denver Nuggets were disbanded.
Denver's second professional basketball franchise was founded
in 1968 as the Denver Rockets, part of the fledgling ABA. In the 9 years of the
ABA, Denver made the playoffs every season. Nevertheless, making it to the
Finals always eluded them. Finally, in 1976, with a lineup that included David
Thompson and Dan Issel, the Nuggets made it to the last ABA Finals series where
they lost to Julius Erving and the New York Nets.
The Denver Nuggets then became one of only four ABA teams to
transition to the NBA, along with the Nets, San Antonio Spurs and Indiana
Pacers. Out of the four teams the Nuggets were the most immediately successful,
making the playoffs 12 times in their first 14 seasons in the NBA.
One of the greatest season in the franchise's time in the NBA
was 1978, when the Nuggets advanced to the Western Conference Finals. They lost
in 6 games to a great Seattle Supersonics team that had Gus Williams, Fred
Brown, Marvin Webster, Jack Sikma and Dennis Johnson on its roster.
The Nuggets returned to the Western Conference Finals in 1985
where they lost to eventual champions the Los Angeles Lakers in 5 games.
The Nuggets from their early NBA years revolved around potent
stars on the offensive side such as Alex English, Dan Issel, David Thompson,
Calvin Natt and Kiki Vandeweghe.
After the Nuggets run of playoff appearances, they
experienced a period when they missed the playoffs 11 out of 13 seasons. Now,
with a core of young players like Carmelo Anthony the Nuggets are once again
playoff regulars.
Some of the Nuggets' most notable players have been:
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Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (1991-1996)
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Michael Adams (1988-1991)
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Carmelo Anthony (2004-)
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Byron Beck (1968-1977)
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Alex English (1980-1990) Hall of Famer
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Larry Cannon (1971)
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Spencer Haywood (1970)
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Dan Issel (1976-1985) Hall of Famer
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Allen Iverson (2007-)
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Warren Jabali (1973-74)
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Bobby Jones (1975-78)
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Larry Jones (1968-1970)
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Fat Lever (1985-1990)
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Antonio McDyess (1996-97, 1999-2002)
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George McGinnis (1979-1980)
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Andre Miller (2004-07)
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Dikembe Mutombo (1992-96)
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Calvin Natt (1985-1988)
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Dave Robisch (1972-75, 1981-83)
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Ralph Simpson (1971-76)
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David Thompson (1976-1982) Hall of Famer
-
Kiki Vandeweghe (1981-84)
The pattern of the Denver Nuggets fabric consists of
blue and lemon squares. Within the squares are basketballs, jerseys and the
Nuggets' logo.
This Denver Nuggets fabric is licensed by the NBA and
is for individual consumption. Any other use of this NBA fabric is prohibited
and illegal. The Denver Nuggets cotton fabric is not suitable for
children's sleepwear.