Coming off of an NBA Finals win in Game 5, and with Nikola Jokic claiming the NBA Finals MVP title in 2023, the Denver Nuggets finally struck it rich!
After all, it only took 47 years since the team was founded as a charter team in the American Basketball Association (ABA) in 1967 to claim the title. By 1976, the team made their way into the NBA league, where this past season, they took the championship home.
Join us to mine for some more basketball nuggets, including memorable moments and team history, as we jumpstart the season.
What’s a Denver Nugget?
Interestingly, the Denver Nuggets were once known as the Denver Rockets, a name they had to give up due to a pre-existing Rockets team in Houston. Historically speaking, the Nuggets name fits much better with Colorado’s mining roots, where gold and silver nuggets meant miners had struck it rich.
Notable Nuggets Players
Throughout the years, the Denver Nuggets have had several notable players who have paved the way for the team’s success. Some include Dan Issel, David Thompson, Dikembe Mutombo, and Carmelo Anthony. Thompson, the first overall pick in the 1975 draft, and Issel, a six-time NBA All-Star, garnered much praise for their skill and determination on the basketball court.
Alex English holds three Nuggets records: most points scored (21,645), most assists (3,679), and most minutes played (29,893).
The most recent player to make a mark for the team is Nikola Jokic. He was the 41st pick in the 2014 draft and has made his 7-foot presence known since he arrived. In 2016, he was named to the NBA Rookie First Team. He’s since become the team’s all-time leader in playoff triple-doubles. He was the first-ever Nuggets player to earn the NBA MVP award, and last season was named the Finals MVP.
High Score Holder
Did you know that the Denver Nuggets hold the record for the highest-scoring NBA game in total points in history? On December 13, 1983, the Nuggets played the Detroit Pistons and racked up an incredible 186-184 triple-overtime game. Led by Kiki Vandeweghe, who scored 51 points (equaling an NBA record for field goals in a game), the teams put on a display that still lives on in history.
Here’s to Your Denver Nuggets!
As the NBA’s current champions, the Nuggets are a slam dunk in your basketball viewing schedule this season as they continue to build on their legacy. Isn’t it about time to put on your Joker jersey, order up your favorite snacks for the game, and enjoy the game with friends at your nearest neighborhood location to cheer on those Nuggets?