Origins in the ABA: The Birth of a Franchise

The Denver Nuggets began their life in 1967 as the Denver Larks, one of the 11 original teams of the American Basketball Association (ABA). Before the first tip-off, the ownership group changed the name to the Denver Rockets. The ABA was a league known for its colorful ball, three-point line, and up-tempo style — a stark contrast to the more methodical NBA. The Rockets quickly embraced that identity, playing in Denver Auditorium Arena and later at the McNichols Sports Arena. The team’s early rosters featured a mix of castoffs from the NBA and emerging talents who thrived in the ABA’s open-court system. By 1974, the team rebranded as the Denver Nuggets, a nod to the 1859 Pike’s Peak Gold Rush and the city’s mining heritage. This name change came alongside a move to the larger McNichols Arena and signaled the franchise’s intent to grow both on and off the court.

The ABA All-Stars Who Defined the Early Years

Two players stand above all others in the Nuggets’ ABA lore: Dan Issel and David Thompson. Issel, a 6-foot-9 center from Kentucky, joined the team in 1970 after a legendary college career and quickly became the franchise’s cornerstone. Over seven ABA seasons, he averaged over 23 points per game and was a perennial All-Star. David Thompson, known as “Skywalker,” arrived in 1975 after an NCAA championship at North Carolina State. His explosive vertical leap and scoring ability made him one of the most electrifying players in league history. Thompson’s 73-point game in the final week of the 1977–78 NBA season remains one of the single-greatest scoring performances of all time. Together, Issel and Thompson led the Nuggets to the ABA Finals in 1976, ultimately losing to the New York Nets in a six-game series. That runner-up finish, however, cemented the Nuggets as one of the ABA’s elite franchises.

The ABA-NBA Merger and Transition

In 1976, the ABA folded after nine seasons. The NBA absorbed four of its strongest teams: the Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, Indiana Pacers, and New York Nets. The Nuggets were well-positioned for the merger. They had a solid core, a passionate fan base, and the financial stability that came from selling out McNichols Arena. The transition, however, was not seamless. The NBA played a slower, more physical brand of basketball, and the Nuggets had to adjust their personnel and style. Coach Larry Brown, who had joined the team in 1974, helped navigate the change by emphasizing defense and disciplined offense. The Nuggets posted a winning record in their first NBA season (1976–77) and reached the Western Conference Semifinals, proving they belonged among the league’s established teams.

Early NBA Playoff Breakthroughs

The Nuggets made the playoffs in each of their first nine seasons in the NBA. In 1978, they advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the first time, losing a hard-fought series to the Seattle Supersonics. That deep run featured a memorable seven-game first-round victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, a series that showcased David Thompson’s scoring brilliance. The 1980s brought continued success, with the Nuggets earning division titles in 1985 and 1988. Under coach Doug Moe, the team adopted a frenetic, run-and-gun offense nicknamed the “Energizer Bunny” attack. That style produced astronomical scoring averages — the 1981–82 Nuggets averaged 126.5 points per game, the highest in NBA history. Despite the regular-season fireworks, the team could never get past the Lakers, Rockets, or other Western Conference powers in the playoffs.

The Carmelo Anthony Era and a Return to Relevance

After a decade of mediocrity in the 1990s, the Nuggets struck gold in the 2003 NBA Draft, selecting Carmelo Anthony with the third overall pick. Anthony’s impact was immediate. He led the team to the playoffs as a rookie and averaged 21 points per game. That season also saw the emergence of a young point guard, Andre Miller, and the acquisition of veteran forward Kenyon Martin. The Nuggets won their first playoff series since 1994 in 2004, sweeping the Seattle Supersonics. The Anthony-led Nuggets reached the Western Conference Finals in 2009 but lost to the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers in six games. Anthony’s tenure, which lasted until a trade in 2011, returned the franchise to national relevance and made the Pepsi Center a must-visit arena for NBA fans.

Key Draft Picks and Trades That Built the Foundation

The Nuggets’ front office, led by general manager Masai Ujiri, made shrewd moves in the early 2010s that would eventually pay dividends. In the 2011 draft, they selected point guard Ty Lawson, who became an All-Star-level player. The same year, they acquired Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler in a massive trade with the New York Knicks. But the most important acquisition came in 2012, when the Nuggets drafted Nikola Jokic with the 41st overall pick. Jokic, a Serbian center with remarkable court vision and passing ability, was an unheralded prospect. He spent the 2014 summer playing in the NBA Summer League and barely cracked the rotation as a rookie. Yet his unique skill set would eventually redefine what a center could do in the modern NBA.

The Jokic Era: From Draft Steal to NBA Champion

Nikola Jokic’s rise is one of the most stunning stories in professional sports. He won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award in 2021, 2022, and 2024 — an achievement matched only by legends like Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, LeBron James, and Larry Bird. Under head coach Michael Malone, the Nuggets built an offense around Jokic’s playmaking, surrounding him with shooters and cutters. Jamal Murray, drafted in 2016, blossomed into a playoff star. The partnership between Jokic and Murray became legendary, particularly during the 2023 playoffs, where they led the Nuggets to their first NBA championship. The team posted a 16–4 postseason record, steamrolling the Timberwolves, Suns, Lakers, and Heat. Jokic averaged a triple-double in the Finals and won Finals MVP, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest centers of all time.

The 2023 Championship: A Complete Team Effort

The Nuggets’ 2023 title run was fueled by depth and cohesion. Starting small forward Michael Porter Jr. provided elite spacing and rebounding. Guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope brought championship experience from his Lakers tenure. Sixth man Bruce Brown delivered clutch moments throughout the playoffs. The supporting cast also included veterans like Aaron Gordon, who defended superstars like Kevin Durant and LeBron James, and rookie Christian Braun, who provided energy off the bench. The Nuggets dispatched the Miami Heat 4–1 in the Finals, winning Game 5 at Ball Arena in front of 19,520 ecstatic fans. The victory ended a 47-year drought for the franchise and made Denver the third city in NBA history to host the championship parade (joining Los Angeles and Boston).

Current Status and Future Outlook

As of the 2024–25 season, the Nuggets remain one of the top contenders in the Western Conference. Jokic is still in his prime, and the front office has retooled the roster around him with young talent like Peyton Watson and draft picks. The team continues to play a unique brand of basketball — slow-paced but relentlessly efficient, with Jokic as the orchestra conductor. The championship experience has made the Nuggets a destination for veteran free agents. The future looks bright, but the Western Conference is deep, with the Thunder, Timberwolves, and Mavericks all building strong contenders. The Nuggets’ ability to maintain their championship core while integrating new pieces will determine whether they can add more banners to the rafters.

A Legacy of Resilience and Growth

The Denver Nuggets’ journey from an ABA upstart to an NBA champion is a story of resilience, smart management, and the power of finding a diamond in the rough. From David Thompson’s 73-point night to Dan Issel’s consistent scoring, from Carmelo Anthony’s superstar arrival to Nikola Jokic’s historic MVP run, the franchise has weathered nearly every form of challenge — losing the 1976 ABA Finals, surviving the merger, enduring years of playoff heartbreak, and finally hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy in 2023. Today, the Nuggets stand as a model franchise: they develop talent, maintain continuity, and play an entertaining brand of basketball. Their story is not just about basketball in Denver — it is about how a team can evolve across leagues and decades to reach the sport’s summit.

For more statistics and history, visit NBA.com Nuggets History. To explore the ABA’s impact on the NBA, check Basketball-Reference’s ABA section. For a deep dive into Nikola Jokic’s career, read ESPN’s feature on Jokic’s Finals MVP.