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NBA Finals: Nuggets in the Finals

By Blake Holmes

Oct 14, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) defends Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Warriors won 129-128. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) defends Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Warriors won 129-128. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 25, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dahntay Jones (30) looks to pass around Boston Celtics guard James Young (13) during the fourth quarter of game five of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
May 25, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dahntay Jones (30) looks to pass around Boston Celtics guard James Young (13) during the fourth quarter of game five of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

There are only two players for the Cavaliers that once played in the Mile High City.

While not as many as the Warriors, one of these two players was a force to be reckoned with in Denver.

First, let’s use the lesser known face who played for the Nuggets, Dahntay Jones. He only played for the Nuggets for one season, in 2008. He wasn’t one to light up the scoreboard, and it showed in his play. While he didn’t shoot too many threes, he was pretty excellent when he did shoot a three. In that season for the Nuggets, Jones shot an insane 64% from beyond the arc. I don’t care if he only shot 17 threes, that’s pretty impressive in my book (per basketball-reference).

Finally, the player that was a great player for the Nuggets, was none other than J.R. Smith.

Mar 21, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris (14) shoots as Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) defends during the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris (14) shoots as Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) defends during the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

The starting shooting guard for the Cavaliers was once a shooting guard for the Nuggets. He was traded to the team by the Chicago Bulls, after they acquired him from the New Orleans Pelicans in 2006. Smith went on to have his bad moments, but overall, put in a great contribution for Denver. He played there until the dreaded NBA lock-out in 2011, when he went overseas for a season. After J.R. came back, he signed with the New York Knicks, and was eventually traded to the Cavs.

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J.R. Smith is the player with the most made threes in Nuggets history. He’s made the most threes in one game for the Nuggets. He’s in the top ten of three-point percentage in team history. I know you may be thinking, “he just sounds like a glorified shooter.” Well, that would be wrong, as he was athletic and kept the fans on their feet on every drive.

During his best season as a Nugget, Smith averaged just over 15 points, while shooting 45 percent from the field and almost 40 percent from deep (per basketball-reference).

While it hurts to see these players play well for other teams, Nuggets fans should not be bitter. Instead, think about the core the team has in place, and hope that we can all watch Denver on the NBA’s biggest stage here soon.

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