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Denver Nuggets: Comparing the ’09 and 85 teams

By Mathew Huff

DENVER - 1990: Alex English #2 of the Denver Nuggets stretches against the Dallas Mavericks during a game played circa 1990 at McNichols Arena 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 1990 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER - 1990: Alex English #2 of the Denver Nuggets stretches against the Dallas Mavericks during a game played circa 1990 at McNichols Arena 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 1990 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Denver Nuggets power forward Kenyon Martin (4) holds center Nene (31) back after Nene’s altercation with Oklahoma City Thunder center Kendrick Perkins (5) during the first half on Tuesday April 5, 2011 at the Pepsi Center. AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post (Photo By AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets power forward Kenyon Martin (4) holds center Nene (31) back after Nene’s altercation with Oklahoma City Thunder center Kendrick Perkins (5) during the first half on Tuesday April 5, 2011 at the Pepsi Center. AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post (Photo By AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

The 2009 Denver Nuggets were full of enforcers.

This team was not one to mess with. Not only did they have their star duo in Billups and Anthony, they also had some goons in Kenyon Martin, Nene, Chris Andersen, J.R. Smith and the defensive pest, Dahntay Jones.

This team was chalked full of enforcing personalities and somehow came together for a deep playoff run. They lost to a Kobe Bryant led Lakers team in six games in the Western Conference Finals, but it was extremely competitive.

This team averaged an offensive rating of 110.4 which was good for seventh in the league and won 54 regular season games  despite being projected to go 50-32. They also finished eighth in the league in terms of defensive rating which was rare for the Nuggets who normally did not thrive on this end of the floor.

This team was something special and if they did not run into the Lakers, they most likely would have beat Orlando in the NBA Finals and brought home the first NBA title to Mile High.

At the end of the day, I would give the slight edge to the 1985 squad for being the best Nuggets’ team in history. Not only do I think Doug Moe was a better coach than George Karl, I also think Alex English and Fat Lever was a more potent duo than Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups, but only by a slight margin.

Next. Top 10 enforcers in Nuggets' history. dark

Denver may not have a title, but these two teams were certainly title contenders.

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