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Michael Adams: The forgotten Denver Nuggets’ legend

By Grayson Moore

BOSTON - 1989: Michael Adams #14 of the Denver Nuggets drives the ball up court against Dennis Johnson #3 of the Boston Celtics during a game played in 1989 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 1989 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON - 1989: Michael Adams #14 of the Denver Nuggets drives the ball up court against Dennis Johnson #3 of the Boston Celtics during a game played in 1989 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 1989 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA – 1990: Michael Adams #14 of the Denver Nuggets passes the ball against the Atlanta Hawks during a game played circa 1990 at the Omni in Atlanta, Georgia. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1990 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
ATLANTA – 1990: Michael Adams #14 of the Denver Nuggets passes the ball against the Atlanta Hawks during a game played circa 1990 at the Omni in Atlanta, Georgia. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1990 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Play style

Michael Adams was not a very physical player. Standing at just 5’10 and weighing in at 160 pounds, Adams was never going to be a point guard that could hold his own in the post game. So he utilized weapons more potent than strength: his brain and his eyes.

Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets /

Denver Nuggets

Adams was one of the best passing point guards in the league during his time with the Denver Nuggets. He could find his man with ease, often adding in a touch of flair. He could pull off no-look passes without breaking a sweat and showcased an incredible awareness of where his teammates were and the location of their defenders. Adams was also incredibly efficient and rarely turned the ball over.

He wasn’t just a great passer of the ball. He could score it, too. He was a decent finisher around the rim, often athletically making his way around defenders before scooping it into the net. He hit his free throws well and often, despite having one of the most unorthodox shots of all time. And he was one of the first 3-point assassins of all-time.

Adams is never really given credit for starting the 3-point movement, but he made a big impact. His 3-point stroke did not differ from his free throw stroke in terms of mechanics, but like his free throw stroke, although unconventional, it got the job done. His athleticism and handling ability meant that defenders had to either back off of him to avoid being blown by, where Adams would proceed to drill a 3-pointer in their face, or get right up close to him so he couldn’t take the long-range shot, where Adams would proceed to blow by them and acrobatically force the ball into the net. Even if your center switched on to him at the rim and got up to block his shot, Adams would just pass it out to the perimeter or toss it to his center for an easy lay-up.

Defenses could not stop Michael Adams. They just had to pick their poison and know they were going to give up a lot of points.

Sources:

Dempsey, Christopher. “We Love the (Nuggets) 80s: Michael Adams | Denver Nuggets.” NBA.com, NBA.com, 11 Jan. 2018, www.nba.com/nuggets/news/80s-night-adams-011118.

Lopez, Aaron. “Denver Nuggets A to Z: Michael Adams | Denver Nuggets.” NBA.com, NBA.com, 21 July 2015, www.nba.com/nuggets/news/denver-nuggets-z-michael-adams.

Matic, Lamar. Michael Adams (31pts/17asts/4stls) vs. Celtics (1990). YouTube, YouTube, 22 July 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9UHUJWWedE.