 |
Record
Wins: 54
Losses: 28 Win PCT: 0.659 Playoffs: Lost Western Conference Finals (4-2) to Los Angeles Lakers |
|
Stat Leaders
Points: Carmelo Anthony (22.79 PPG)
Assists: Allen Iverson (6.67 APG) Rebounds: Nene Hilario (7.77 RPG) |
If we were including ABA teams in our list, the Denver Nuggets would likely have a representative between 1974 and 1976, when the Larry Brown-led squads racked up at least 60 wins in back-to-back seasons. Instead, the “best team in history” label gets bestowed upon the 2008-09 roster that made a trip to the Western Conference Finals.
With a rotation that included Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, J.R. Smith, Nene and Kenyon Martin, Denver had a solid mix of young upstarts and veterans with considerable playoff experience.
Of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t at least mention a dark horse candidate: the 1993-94 squad.
Denver was the youngest team in the NBA at this time, and snuck into the playoffs as a No. 8 seed (their first playoff appearance in three years) behind a 42-40 record. From there, they were matched up against a juggernaut Sonics team, which finished the campaign with the league’s best record at 63-19.
Seattle leapt out
to a 2-0 series lead, but the Nuggets pulled off a miraculous upset by
winning three straight to shock the Sonics. Fans young and old will no
doubt recognize the iconic image of Nuggets center Dikembe Mutombo
clutching the basketball with glee
after the final buzzer sounded.
Provided that ‘Melo eventually forced his way to New York
in an unceremonious exit, the 1993-94 team with Mutombo, LaPhonso Ellis
and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf may ultimately hold a more special place in the
hearts of diehards. After all, it was the first No. 8 seed ever to beat a
No. 1.
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