Nugg Love
Fansided

14 Players the Denver Nuggets gave up on way too soon

By Tyler Watts

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 21: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks on during a break in the action against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Pepsi Center on January 21, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Lakers defeated the Nuggets 107-97. 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 Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 21: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks on during a break in the action against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Pepsi Center on January 21, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Lakers defeated the Nuggets 107-97. 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 Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 14
Next
Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets, Mark Jackson (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

12. Mark Jackson

Jackson’s time with the Nuggets lasted eight months, and the crazier part was the Pacers traded him to Denver in the 1996 offseason only to reacquire him at the trade deadline. Indiana gave up Jackson, and Ricky Pierce for Jalen Rose, Reggie Williams, and a first-round pick swap in 1996. At the deadline, the Pacers gave up two players and two second-round picks to get Jackson back along with LaSalle Thompson.

Jackson had been a starting point guard for nine years before he came to Denver, and he averaged a career-high 12.3 assists per game during his time in the Mile High City. The 6’1 point guard was playing well, but the Nuggets were not. They won just 21 games during the 1996-97 season, and it was the second year of an eight-year playoff drought.

Jackson went back to Indiana and was the starting point guard on three conference finals teams, including the 2000 squad that lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. His minutes dropped after leaving Denver, but he was still a quality point guard that helped his team win.

The Nuggets had their worst stretch in franchise history after Mark Jackson’s departure, and they certainly gave up on the point guard turned broadcaster far too soon.