Since we’re in the summer of the quarter century mark, Bleacher Report embarked on a fun activity where Dan Favale and Grant Hughes created a “Mount Rushmore”, or top four players, from each team, this century. For the Nuggets, Hughes selected Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Jamal Murray, and Carmelo Anthony.
Jokic and Anthony are complete no-brainers, the two players who have defined the franchise over the last 25 years and arguably the two greatest players in franchise history. While Anthony never accomplished the ultimate goal and didn’t leave on the best of terms, he established his Hall of Fame resume during his 7.5 seasons in Denver, vying for All-NBA teams and leading the Nuggets to the playoffs every single year.
Beyond those two, things got a little tougher, but Bleacher Report smartly leaned in and rewarded winning. Murray was the second-best player on the 2023 championship squad, and although he has never made an All-Star game, he has been one of the best guards in the NBA for his nine seasons.
The final call was the toughest in Gordon. His stats don’t jump off the page, and he has only been in Denver for four and a half seasons, but he has been the ultimate glue guy and role player, earning the “Mr. Nugget” moniker, and helping establish the culture that led to the first title in franchise history.
Without Gordon, there’s a good chance the Nuggets are still searching for their first championship. And for that alone, Gordon deserves his spot on this Rushmore.
Camby and Billups the toughest snubs
The toughest omissions from this list had to have been Marcus Camby and Chauncey Billups. Camby was a defensive menace for the Nuggets at the start of the century, making four All-Defense teams and winning Defensive Player of the Year in 2006-07.
Billups was the best running mate Carmelo ever had, making an All-Star game and helping Denver make the Western Conference Finals. But Billups’ first stint with Denver came before the turn of the century, and by the time of his second stint, he was past his prime and only around for a handful of seasons.
Some other players worthy of shoutouts include the likes of Nene, Keneth Faried, Allen Iverson, Kenyon Martin, Andre Iguodala, and others. But ultimately, Bleacher Report selected the right four guys. Hopefully, Jokic, Murray, and Gordon continue supplanting their place on this Mount Rushmore, and new candidates emerge before long.