Nugg Love
Fansided

Denver Nuggets unheralded players that we loved

By Michael Longhofer

Los Angeles Lakers v Denver Nuggets, Game 3DENVER - APRIL 26: Eduardo Najera #21 of the Denver Nuggets goes to basket against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2008 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)Getty ID: 80871860
Los Angeles Lakers v Denver Nuggets, Game 3DENVER - APRIL 26: Eduardo Najera #21 of the Denver Nuggets goes to basket against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2008 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)Getty ID: 80871860 /
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Denver Nuggets vs. Houston RockersHOUSTON, TX – 2000: Antonio McDyess #24 of the Denver Nuggets drives to the basket against the Houston Rockets during the 2000 season at the Compaq Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2000 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)Getty ID: 456141722
Denver Nuggets vs. Houston RockersHOUSTON, TX – 2000: Antonio McDyess #24 of the Denver Nuggets drives to the basket against the Houston Rockets during the 2000 season at the Compaq Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2000 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)Getty ID: 456141722 /

The Nuggets have never had the first pick in the NBA draft.  They’ve never had the second pick.  Twice, they’ve selected third (Carmelo Anthony, Chris Jackson).

They did manage to get the second pick, once, via trade with the Clippers.  It cost us Rodney Rogers, another favorite but we were able to get Antonio McDyess, the high-flying power forward from Alabama.

McDyess made an immediate impact, earning NBA All-Rookie honors in the 95-96 season. He averaged 18.2 points and nine rebounds during his time in Denver.  Fairly remarkable considering we are trying to label a guy that averages 14.1 points the “face of the franchise” label.

Antonio was a highlight reel for the Nuggets, think a far more polished Manimal.  What is remarkable, though is that after being traded to the Suns following the 96-97 season, McDyess returned to the Nuggets as a free agent in 1998.  There’s a story out there that several Suns players flew to Denver to convince McDyess to stay in Phoenix but Dan Issel, attending an Avalanche game with McDyess, forbade the Suns contingent from entering McNichols and McDyess signed with the Nuggets.

That type of loyalty has always resonated with Denver fans.  It worked for Milan Hejduk, taking a reduced salary to stay in Denver.  It worked for any of the Broncos players that have restructured contracts to free up money.

Next: Millsap improving the defense

On a non-descript Nuggets squad (The Van Exel era?), McDyess stood out.  He made an impact.  He made an all-star game in 2001, while with the Nuggets.