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The Denver Nuggets are not considered one of the top franchises in the NBA, as most of the awards and trophies have eluded them. However, things could be looking up for the franchise as they have improved tremendously over the years.
Nikola Jokic's receipt of the 2021 NBA MVP award makes him the first player in Denver Nuggets history to be bestowed with such honor. They have also achieved relative success in the NBA playoffs, losing to the 2021 finalists - the Phoenix Suns - in the second round and the 2020 conference title to the eventual champions, the LA Lakers.
The Denver Nuggets have moved up the ranks in the Western Conference, reaching the playoffs for three consecutive seasons. Although some of the big shots are likely to regain their top positions with the impressive offseason they have had so far, the Nuggets still look formidable enough to finish in the top eight.
While the Denver Nuggets have failed to win a championship in their history, a few remarkable players have plied their trade with the franchise. If Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, at the very least, reach the NBA Finals, they will guarantee their positions as one of the best players in a Nuggets jersey.
That said, here are the top five Denver Nuggets players in the history of the franchise.
#5 David Thompson
David Thompson won the 1976 ABA Rookie of the Year award and continued his impressive form following the name change from ABA to NBA. Although he was one of the most explosive guards to ever play the game, his career was cut short due to personal problems.
Thompson is one of six players in NBA history to score 70+ points in a single game. His nickname, Skywalker, was the result of athleticism when attacking the rim.
In seven seasons with the Denver Nuggets, he played in 415 games and averaged 23.7 points. He is the fourth-highest scorer in the Denver Nuggets' history with 11,992 points. His No. 33 jersey hangs in the rafters at the Pepsi Center.
#4 Dikembe Mutombo
Dikembe Mutombo was a one-of-a-kind big man. His exploits were phenomenal, resulting in his jersey number being retired by two different franchises. In the five years he spent with the Denver Nuggets, he averaged 12.9 points, 12.3 rebounds and 3.8 blocks.
The Congolese big man is the Denver Nuggets' leader in blocks and rebounds per game. Although he was a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, he won the award once with the Nuggets.
Mutombo's effectiveness for the Denver Nuggets cannot be overstated. Known for wagging his finger after a block, he set an NBA record for most blocks in a five-game playoff series with 31. He led the 8th-seeded Nuggets past the No. 1 seed Seattle Supersonics in the 1994 NBA playoffs first round.
#3 Dan Issel
Dan Issel leads the Denver Nuggets in rebounds, recording 6,630 rebounds in ten seasons with the team. Coupled with his presence on the glass, he was also an effective scorer. He posted 16,589 points in ten seasons spent with the Nuggets, making him the second-highest scorer in franchise history.
The Denver Nuggets' transition from the ABA to the NBA was smooth, thanks to Issel's efforts, among others. He owned the paint, even as a 6"9 forward. Like Dennis Rodman, he excelled at gaining better positions ahead of bigger players to grab rebounds.
As impressive as he was as a player, he returned to the Denver Nuggets as a coach, replicating brilliant performances. His standout accomplishment as a coach was the 1994 upset, where they sent home the No. 1 seed Seattle Supersonics.
#2 Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony was selected as the third overall pick by the Denver Nuggets in the 2003 NBA Draft ahead of Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade. Winning NBA Rookie of the Year over LeBron James was impossible. Regardless, Anthony marked his presence in the NBA as an elite scorer and made the All-Rookie First Team.
In 2009, Anthony led the Denver Nuggets to their first conference finals since 1985 but ultimately lost to Kobe Bryant and the LA Lakers. His addition was a bright spark as the Denver Nuggets qualified for the playoffs in his rookie season after an eight-year absence. Throughout his stay with the franchise, they did not miss postseason action.
Anthony spent eight years with the Denver Nuggets. In that time, he scored 13,970 points, averaging 24.8 points per game. He remains the third-highest scorer in the franchise's history.
#1 Alex English
Alex English is undoubtedly the best player to wear a Denver Nuggets uniform. He was the epitome of efficiency for the Nuggets as he had a killer mid-range jump shot.
English spent eleven years with the Denver Nuggets, and in that time, established himself as the franchise leader in points, minutes played, field goals, and assists. He scored 21,645 points during his time with the Nuggets, averaging 25.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists.
The Denver Nuggets qualified for nine consecutive playoff appearances, all thanks to English. He was responsible for leading them to the Western Conference Semi-finals before Anthony in 2009. English was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997, and his jersey number (2) has been retired by the Denver Nuggets.
