1977 Denver Nuggets: Arriving From The ABA
The 1977 Denver Nuggets were a big part of a historic pivot point in NBA history. There were one of four American Basketball Association (ABA) franchises that were merged into the NBA, and effectively ushering in the league’s modern era. With questions lingering as to how well the ABA newcomers could do, the Nuggets vindicated themselves with a strong season that positioned them as a title contender before suffering postseason disappointment.
A ROSTER BUILT TO WIN
A young Larry Brown, just 36-years-old and already on the second job of what would be a well-traveled career, was the head coach. Brown produced a team that ranked seventh in what was then a 22-team NBA for offensive efficiency. And they were at the top of the heap for defensive efficiency.
David Thompson, an electrifying 22-year-old who had led N.C. State to a national championship three years earlier, was the best player. Thompson, known as “Skywalker” for his ability to elevate averaged 26 points/4 rebounds/4 assists per game, and was a 1st-team All-Star at season’s end.
Dan Issel anchored the middle, going for 22 points/9 rebounds. Bobby Jones was on the wing and was a terrific all-around player. Jones averaged 15 points/8 rebounds/3 steals/2 blocks a night. One of the game’s premier defensive forwards, he was also an All-Defense choice.
The trio of Thompson, Issel and Jones provided most of the punch, but a well-constructed roster got contributions elsewhere. Ted McClain averaged five assists per game overseeing the floor show. Jim Price, acquired in mid-December, dished out four more assists per night and strengthened the defense. Paul Silas, the 33-year-old veteran, hit the glass for eight rebounds per game.
AN IMMEDIATE STATEMENT
Denver shot out of the gate quickly and won their first seven games. That included a home win over a good Los Angeles Lakers team on the night before Thanksgiving. The Nuggets got a combined 47 points/28 rebounds from Issel and Jones, supplemented by 25 points from Thompson and beat Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Lakers 122-112.
The return trip to Los Angeles resulted in a loss, and Denver also lost on the road to contenders from Philadelphia and Portland. The 76ers made a return trip to the Rocky Mountains shortly before Christmas. While Philadelphia was a traditional NBA franchise, their 1977 season—and their future—was being shaped by an ABA import named Julius Erving. “Dr. J”, along with Thompson, were two electrifying stars that were juicing up the NBA.
But in this pre-Christmas head-to-head battle, it was about rebounding and depth. Denver’s backup center, Marving Webster, pounded the glass for 17 boards. Silas got nine more off the bench. Jones scored 22 points and the Nuggets got a solid 108-94 win.
By the time the New Year arrived, Denver was 23-10. They had the best record in the NBA.
HOLDING STEADY
The Nuggets played consistent basketball through January. The month was highlighted by a 117-107 win over a solid Houston Rockets team on the road, keyed by 30 from Issel. The downside was losing at home to Philly, 107-101.
A tough road trip opened February. Denver lost at Detroit, their primary competition for the Midwest Division title and dumped four of five overall. The saving grave was going to Portland, who was temporarily without star center Bill Walton and getting a 119-11 win as Thompson dropped 40. The Nuggets tacked on another win over the Blazers back at home, again with Walton on the bench.
By the end of February, Denver was 40-20. They were four games ahead of Detroit. The league’s structure in this era had two divisions per conference. Moreover, prior to 1984, there were just six teams in each conference who made the playoffs. A division champ got a bye into the conference semifinals. Denver was coming into the homestretch in position to get that bye and they were two games up on the Lakers for the top seed in the Western Conference.
LATE SEASON SLIPPAGE
But another long road trip to begin March went poorly. The Nuggets lost five of seven, including a double-overtime crusher in Philly. The good news is that they were able to win in Detroit and keep their division margin reasonably comfortable.
Denver came back home and knocked off Los Angeles 107-95 behind 26 points from Thompson. The Nuggets blew out the Pistons 133-104, with Thompson getting 29 and Issel posting a 26/13 line. By the end of March, Denver was 47-29, five games clear of Detroit, but now two back of Los Angeles in the Western Conference overall and a game back of Philadelphia, who had the best record in the Eastern Conference.
INTO THE POSTSEASON
The Nuggets continued to play middling basketball over the final six games. A 124-109 win in Phoenix formally clinched the Midwest and the bye, with Thompson pouring in 35 points. Otherwise, Denver lost three of the other five games.
They finished the season 50-32 and were set up as the 2-seed in the West. Even with finishing a little slow, they were still tied with Philly for the second-best record in the league overall. There was every reason for optimism as the playoffs began.
PORTLAND ENDS THE DREAM
Portland came out of what was then a best two-of-three “mini-series”, setting up the standard best-of-seven battle with Denver in the Western Conference semifinals. The Blazers had finished the season 49-33. Walton was the game’s rising star and had finished second in the MVP voting. Maurice Lucas was an imposing rebounder and Lionel Hollins a solid small forward.
Denver lost a 101-100 heartbreaker in Game 1 and could never get out from behind the eight-ball. Issel’s 36 points in Game 2 helped tie the series. But the Nuggets lost both middle games in Portland. Thompson was getting his numbers, averaging 25/5/4 for the series, but the star’s 46 percent shooting wasn’t good in an era where clearing 50 percent was an accepted threshold.
Game 5 went overtime. In a defense-oriented game, Issel’s 18 rebounds were a key factor in helping Denver win 114-105 and extend the series. All they needed was one road win and they could be playing a Game 7 on their home floor. But Game 6 was a disaster, as the Nuggets fell behind 33-16 by the end of the first quarter and lost decisively. The season was over.
A LONG ROAD STARTED
The ending was a disappointment, although Portland going on to dispatch Los Angeles and Philadelphia and win the championship showed Denver had nothing to be ashamed of. The Nuggets continued to contend for the next couple of years. But they never did reach the Finals. By 1980, Thompson was dealing with injuries and personal issues that his playing career would not recover from.
Denver would spend 46 years chasing the summit, a journey finally culminated in 2023 when Nikola Jokic led the franchise to its first Finals appearance and its first title. It was the culmination of something that began all the way back in this inaugural season of 1977.