![]() ![]() Jones was the strongest part of that defense because of his ability to do a little of everything. But when the Nuggets started to make themselves a power in the ABA, it was the defense that made them one of the toughest outs in the league. Given how much the Nuggets were known for their offense in the 1980s, it’s a bit odd to start out this list with this many defensive weapons. Byron was the only one to do it w/ a single franchise, however. Byron was a productive player whose claim to fame was being 1 of 6 players to play in every ABA season. ![]() Most younger fans might not know his story, but Beck was instrumental in making the Nuggets attractive to the NBA.ĪBA pic of the day…Byron Beck of the Rockets/Nuggets. Beck played 747 games in his career, all of them with Denver, making him the third-longest tenured player in team history. 40 jersey hangs from the rafters, and it’s well deserved. Over 10 years, Beck became the first real face of the Nuggets, scoring 8,603 points and grabbing 5,261 rebounds in his career.īeck’s size and efficient hook shot made him a difficult matchup in the early days of the ABA, and when the Nuggets made their move to the NBA, Beck continued to shine with his interior prowess. Instead, he joined the ABA and got in with the Nuggets from day one. Dunn eternally underappreciated #Nuggets Nation /Z9iOPIjr2jīeck was drafted by the Chicago Bulls, but he never played a game for the NBA franchise. ![]() He earned all-Defensive Team honors three times in his career and pulled down 4,371 rebounds while topping 1,000 career steals, making him one of the most underrated players in Nuggets history. Denver needed him to get rebounds and frustrate opponents, and Dunn did both regularly. He was not a scorer because he spent much of his career with Alex English and Kiki Vandeweghe taking the shots, but he didn’t need to be. He proved an excellent rebounder who was often responsible for ending a possession and starting the Nuggets moving toward the opposing basket. When the Nuggets needed a rebound, Dunn was one of the most likely to grab one. Both Moe and Westhead believed in offense, offense and more offense, which meant only a couple players on the floor were doing much of anything on the defensive side of the floor.ĭunn proved to be an exception. But he battled every night against some of the best centers to play the game, and he’s earned his spot as one of the famous Denver Nuggets players that fans remember fondly for helping turn the franchise around from the dark days of the 1990s.Īt half, the Marcus Camby mural was revealed to the man himself! #MileHighBasketball /PYiut7iatYĭuring the 1980s, the Nuggets gained the nickname “the Enver Nuggets” because coaches Doug Moe and Paul Westhead barely cared at all about defense. He also ranks sixth in Nuggets history in rebounding, despite having to play in the era of Shaquille O’Neal and Tim Duncan dominating the Western Conference.Ĭamby’s a bit undervalued at times because of the era he played in and how the game has changed since his time, as today’s centers now play out closer to the perimeter. Camby proved an outstanding shot blocker, swatting away 1,126 shots in six seasons with Denver. It’s tough to trade the face of your franchise, but Denver made the right move in trading Antonio McDyess when Marcus Camby became available. Learn how to bet on basketball in Colorado here. Here’s a look at a few of the best Denver Nuggets players to wear Denver’s changing colors from their time as a professional basketball outfit. Despite never winning a championship, the Nuggets have brought in several stars that have delighted fans. ![]() Of course, Jokic is far from the only star the Nuggets have had during their time in the ABA and NBA. So, how does the Joker stack up against the rest of the players who have called Denver home during their NBA days? Obviously, Jokic is one of the best players the Nuggets have ever had, and if he can bring a championship home to Colorado, he’ll have to be considered the best to ever do it in Denver.Įven if he doesn’t win a title, he’ll end his career with his number hanging from the rafters in either Ball Arena or wherever the Nuggets end up playing decades from now. They’ve got a real chance to make it to the NBA Finals for the first time, and they’re doing it behind likely MVP Nikola Jokic, who continues to establish himself not only as one of the best Nuggets players of all time but best players in the history of the NBA altogether. It’s a good time to be a fan of the Denver Nuggets, who definitely are one of the best sports teams in Colorado. ![]()
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