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Denver Nuggets: Top 10 enforcers in Nuggets history

By Blake Holmes

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 21: Nene Hilario #31 of the Denver Nuggets dunks over Amare Stoudemire #1 of the New York Knicks during the game on January 21, 2012 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. 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 2012 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 21: Nene Hilario #31 of the Denver Nuggets dunks over Amare Stoudemire #1 of the New York Knicks during the game on January 21, 2012 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. 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 2012 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – APRIL 17: Nick Collison #4 of the Oklahoma City Thunder fights for a rebound against Kenyon Martin #4 and Nene #31 of the Denver Nuggets in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 17, 2011 at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – APRIL 17: Nick Collison #4 of the Oklahoma City Thunder fights for a rebound against Kenyon Martin #4 and Nene #31 of the Denver Nuggets in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 17, 2011 at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

At number two for the Denver Nuggets, I have Nene.

Nene was a special player, who holds a special place in many Nuggets fans’ hearts. He was a part of the team for ten seasons, where not many players have been in the Mile High City for a decade.

He was a great defensive player, who anchored a great team at the time, including a team that made it to the Western Conference Finals in 2009.

He wasn’t a scorer, because he didn’t need to be. I mean, why would you when you have players like Carmelo, J.R. Smith, and Chauncey Billups at your disposal?

Nene was especially heated on the court when a big play was needed. You needed a big rebound? Nene was there. You needed a big defensive stop, he was there. You needed a momentum play to shift the game, whether it was on a foul or crowd move? Nene was there.

Nene did everything that the Nuggets needed him to do while he was in Denver, even things that were unspoken or not asked of him.

That shows the true heart and enforcer’s ability of a player.