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Denver Nuggets: The five best players you’ve never heard of

By Grayson Moore

BOSTON, MA - 1990: Blair Rasmussen #41 of the Denver Nuggets looks on during the game against the Boston Celtics circa 1990 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 1990 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - 1990: Blair Rasmussen #41 of the Denver Nuggets looks on during the game against the Boston Celtics circa 1990 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 1990 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – 1990: Blair Rasmussen #41 of the Denver Nuggets celebrates with his teammates during the game against the Boston Celtics circa 1990 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 1990 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – 1990: Blair Rasmussen #41 of the Denver Nuggets celebrates with his teammates during the game against the Boston Celtics circa 1990 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 1990 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5. C Blair Rasmussen

Career Stats in Denver(6 seasons): 10.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 0.8 apg, 0.4 spg, 1.0 bpg, 47.2% FG%, 33.3% FG3%, 13.9 PER, 16.1 Win Shares

Blair Rasmussen was one of the most important big men on the roster during the “Golden Age” of Nuggets basketball. Playing alongside Alex English and Fat Lever, the center was drafted with the 15th pick in the 1985 Draft likely to take the role of the retiring Dan Issel. While he may not have lived up to the Nuggets great, he certainly was a serviceable role player.

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Efficiency

He was one of the most efficient offensive players ever to pull on a Nuggets jersey. Rasmussen is the owner of the lowest turnover percentage in Nuggets history(8.5%). He is also one of 4 players in NBA history to have played 250+ games and average 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 or fewer turnovers per 100 possessions.

Playoffs

Rasmussen turned it on come playoff time. In 5 of his 6 seasons in Denver, he made the playoffs. While he never progressed further than the Western Conference semi-finals, he was an important part of their playoff runs. He averaged 11.2 ppg and 6.2 rpg in the playoffs while shooting 44.3% from the floor, besting his career regular season averages.

While Rasmussen may not have been the flashiest player or one to grab many highlights, he was an important player for the Nuggets. He was one of the best rebounders on the 80’s teams as well as a strong defensive presence in the paint. That’s why he deserves to have his name remembered by the Nuggets faithful.