Nuggets: My own personal story

I like to tell people that I’ve been living and breathing Nuggets basketball for 40 years. 

In that time there have been a lot of ups-and-downs, probably more downs if I’m honest.  I remember Hanzlik, Gondo, Issel, Kiki, Alex, Evans, all of them.  I remember Maurice Martin’s BMW being lifted onto the facade at McNichols as a joke for the Nuggs first-round (bust) pick.

I remember thinking Mark Macon was the steal of the 91 draft.  Good thing we scored Deke (Dikembe Mutombo) in that draft.

Denver Nuggets

I remember getting Nikolosz Tskitishvili when everyone was sure we were going to draft Caron Butler and then watching “Tskeeta” flounder and bounce out of the league.

I remember convincing people that Bryant Stith was the player we needed, having won ACC player of the year honors at Virginia.

I remember Rodney Rogers’ (RIP brother) three 3’s in 9 seconds.

I remember Kobe Bryant hitting a shot from just inside the 3-point line when the Lakers were up 30.  I remember the next time down the floor, Danny Fortson grabbed the Mamba out of mid-air and slammed him on the ground.  Shaq approached Fortson, Fortson said something to Shaq and O’neal turned around and went and sat on the Lakers bench. I like to believe Danny said “I got nothing to lose” (The Nuggets would win 17 games that season, I believe).

I remember getting my picture taken with Danny Schayes on the court after a game (that’s him up top, the caption only ID’s him as. They used to do that.

I remember the Nuggets song from the 70’s:

“Clearin’ the boards or drivin’ the lane, our teamwork is a beautiful sight. We’ve got a defensive hustle and offense with muscle, we’re gunnin’ for the win tonight. Let’s go Denver Nuggets, let’s go Denver, Hoops and Hustle!”

I remember Michael Jordan’s last game in Denver with the Bulls (I had great seats).

I remember Dr. J’s last game in Denver with the Sixers (Last row, end at McNichols, awful seats).

I remember my mother scoring seats behind the Nuggets’ bench for a game against the Spurs.  It was just after Raef LaFrentz blew out his knee, he was sitting sideways behind the bench with his leg up and he cried during player introductions.  It was touching.

I remember Robert Pack dunking on everyone and playing lock down defense on Michael Jordan.

I remember listening to game 5 of the 94 playoff series against the Sonics on a transistor radio on a bus headed to Central City.  I didn’t see Deke holding the ball in the air, in pure joy until I caught it on the news that night.

I remember David Thompson scoring 73 on the last day of the ’78 season to overtake George Gervin for the NBA scoring lead only to see Gervin score 63 later that day to take it back.

I remember tears welling up in my eyes when David Thompson blew out his knee at an All-Star Old Timers game.

I remember the beauty of Alex English’s shot.

I remember Marvin Gaye singing the Anthem at McNichols for the ’84 all-star game and it being so beautiful it moved players to tears.

I remember when Scott Hastings joined the Nuggets and thinking “who?” and then immediately falling for his effort.  Guys like Hanz and Hastings and Bowen have always held a special place for me.

I remember the Pistons drafting Darko both preventing Kiki from doing the same and letting Carmelo Anthony fall into our laps.

I remember paying $250 for courtside, end tickets vs the Knicks so I could boo Carmelo Anthony the first time he came back.

I remember how much it hurt to be rejected by the biggest star we’d ever had.

I remember Kenyon Martin switching from jersey number 6 to 4 after an injury and making it seem like that made a difference.

I remember Marcus Camby’s weird backhanded high-five.

I remember Nene.

I remember that damn inbound pass that was stolen and the basket interference that wasn’t called against the Lakers.

Oh, how I remember Gary Harris’ 3 to beat the Thunder.

I remember lobbying hard that Carmelo Anthony was far more deserving of Rookie of the Year than LeBron James (go look at the numbers, I still believe it!)

I remember J.R.’s 360 alley-oop dunk, in a game.

I remember the 24 3’s against Golden State.

I remember Calvin Natt being the scariest thing in Denver.

I remember hanging out with friends at Jackson’s Hole and believing that we were hanging out with Bobby Jackson.  It wasn’t until we noticed the Nuggets on TV, on the road that we realized it wasn’t him.  Whoever it was, he played along, all night.

I remember debating a friend about who would have a better NBA career, DeMarr Johnson or Linas Kleiza.

I remember Vo in the 3-point contest.

I remember that one of the Bulls losses in their 72 win season was to the Nuggets.

I remember one of the Nuggets win in their 11-win season was against the Bulls.

I remember making Kenneth Faried a sandwich and him getting on my mom for putting too many onions on the sandwich.

I remember Jerome Lane smashing backboards at Pitt and being super excited the Nuggets drafted him.

I remember all of this and so much more.  I feel fortunate to have ridden along with the Franchise for most of their 50 years.

What I don’t remember is ever feeling like the Nuggets had a higher ceiling, ever being more excited or more impatient.

With the current squad, I can’t help but wonder:

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What will I remember tomorrow?