Established
1967
City
Denver
League History
1976 – Present / National Basketball Association
1967 – 1976 / American Basketball Association
Team History
1974 – Present / Denver Nuggets
1967 – 1974 / Denver Rockets
Nickname
Nuggets - The history of the Denver Nuggets is as unique and storied as any other NBA franchise. The team was founded in 1967 and has become a beloved part of Colorado sports culture. But many fans don’t know that the Nugget's nickname dates back to 1949!
It all began with a minor league basketball team called the Denver Nuggets based out of St. Joseph, Missouri. The name “Nuggets” was chosen because it represented gold mining—a reference to Colorado's rich mining heritage—and had an exciting ring for potential fans across America then.
Denver Nuggets Origin
The original owner wanted something catchy and memorable, so he chose “Nuggets” over more traditional names like Pioneers or Miners, which were already being used by other teams in those days (the Minneapolis Lakers would later change their name from Lakers to Timberwolves). This move paid off big time — when the American Basketball Association launched its version of professional basketball in 1967, they picked up on this trendsetter idea and decided to call their new expansion team…you guessed it: The Denver Nuggets!
From there forward, both teams have proudly carried on this legacy ever since; today, you can find various references around town, such as jerseys featuring old-timey miners or even restaurants named after them (like Rocky Mountain Diner). So next time you cheer for your favorite NBA squad, remember where they got their start - with some good old-fashioned Gold Rush spirit!
Championship
NBA Championships 1
2023
ABA Championships 0
Arena
2020 - Present / Ball Arena
1999 – 2020 / Pepsi Center
1975 – 1999 / McNichols Sports Arena
1967 – 1975 / Denver Auditorium Arena
Owner
2014 – Present / Ann Walton Kroenke
2000 – 2014 / Stan Kroenke
1997 – 2000 / Liberty Media
1989 – 1997 / Peter Bynoe, Bertram Lee, and Comsat Video Enterprises
1985 – 1989 / Sidney Shlenker
1978 – 1985 / Red McCombs
1972 – 1978 / Frank Goldberg and Bud Fischer
1967 – 1972 / James Trindle and Bill Ringsby
- 1974
- 1976
- 1999
- 2000
- 2011
- 2023
-
Becoming the Nuggets
Ringsby sold the team to San Diego businessmen Frank Goldberg and Bud Fischer in 1972. In 1974, in anticipation of moving into the NBA, and the new McNichols Arena the franchise held a contest to choose a new team nickname, as “Rockets” was already in use by the Houston Rockets. The winning choice was “Nuggets,” in honor of the original ... -
Joining the NBA
The Nuggets and Nets had actually applied to join the NBA in 1975 but were forced to stay in the ABA by a court order. The Nuggets continued their strong play early on in the NBA, as they won division titles in their first two seasons in the league, and missed a third by a single game. However, neither of ... -
Pepsi Center Opens
Pepsi Center was constructed as part of a large six-year sporting venue upgrade in Denver along with Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies, and Sports Authority Field at Mile High (formerly Invesco Field at Mile High), home of the Denver Broncos. The complex was constructed to be readily accessible. The arena is situated at Speer Boulevard, the main thoroughfare ... -
Stan Kroenke Owner of the Nuggets
Kroenke Sports Enterprise also owns Pepsi Center in Denver, home of the Nuggets and Avalanche, and co-owns Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, home of the Rapids. Both venues were built by his development company. In 2004, Kroenke launched his own competitor to FSN Rocky Mountain (now known as Root Sports Rocky Mountain), Altitude, a new regional sports network ... -
Carmelo Anthony Traded
To the New York KnicksOn February 22, 2011, after months of speculation that he wanted to leave the Nuggets, Carmelo Anthony was traded along with Chauncey Billups, Anthony Carter, Shelden Williams, and Renaldo Balkman to the New York Knicks in a multi-player deal also involving the Minnesota Timberwolves in which the Nuggets received Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, and Kosta Koufos. ... -
Dominance for the Nuggets in the Finals
The 2023 NBA Finals was the championship series of the National Basketball Association (NBA)’s 2022–23 season and the conclusion to the season’s playoffs. The best-of-seven playoffs were played between the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat and the Western Conference champion Denver Nuggets. The series started on June 1 and concluded on June 12. The Nuggets defeated the Heat in four ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Denver Nuggets History
The Denver Nuggets history began in 1967 when the franchise was founded as the Denver Rockets in the American Basketball Association (ABA). The team quickly built a strong presence, reaching the 1976 ABA Finals before merging into the NBA. That year marked a turning point for the franchise, as the Nuggets became a permanent part of the league and laid the foundation for future success in Denver Nuggets basketball.
During the late 1970s and 1980s, the Nuggets earned recognition under head coach Doug Moe, who implemented a high-scoring, fast-paced offense. The 1984–85 team finished with 54 wins, one of the franchise’s best seasons, and advanced to the Western Conference Finals. Despite falling short of a championship, these years cemented the Denver Nuggets history as a competitive force, led by stars like Alex English, Dan Issel, and Fat Lever.
Denver Nuggets Achievements
In the 1990s, the Nuggets made headlines during the 1994 playoffs when they became the first eighth seed to upset a top seed, defeating the Seattle SuperSonics. This iconic moment remains a highlight in Denver Nuggets basketball. Later, the arrival of Carmelo Anthony in 2003 brought new excitement, as the team consistently reached the postseason and advanced to the 2009 Western Conference Finals under coach George Karl.
More recently, the Nuggets entered a new era with Nikola Jokić, who won back-to-back MVP awards in 2021 and 2022. Alongside Jamal Murray, Jokić led the Nuggets to their first-ever NBA Championship in 2023 after defeating the Miami Heat. This historic achievement marked the peak of Denver Nuggets history, showcasing resilience, teamwork, and excellence. For fans today, the Nuggets remain one of the league’s most exciting teams, continuing to build on decades of tradition and success.
For more details, you can read the full Denver Nuggets Wikipedia page. You can also check our page on the Denver Rockets to learn more about the team’s early years before the NBA merger.
Sports Fan Products
Exploring Denver Nuggets Team History: From Origins to Glory!
Journey through the annals of Denver Nuggets history! From humble beginnings to soaring achievements, experience the passion and perseverance that shape our narrative. Join the legacy, and feel the excitement. join us as we uncover hidden gems and explore pivotal moments that have shaped the Denver Nuggets' legacy. Don't miss out on this exclusive look into the heart and soul of the team!
5 Surprising Facts About Nikola Jokic's Journey to the Top
In the video "Top NBA Expert Reveals Nikola Jokic's Rise to Stardom," viewers are taken on an insightful journey through Nikola Jokić's remarkable NBA career, highlighting his transformation from a Serbian athlete to a pivotal figure in NBA history
Retired Number
2 / Alex English
12 / Lafayette “Fat” Lever
33 / David Thompson
40 / Byron Beck
44 / Dan Issel
55 / Dikembe Mutombo
432 / Doug Moe
*Blue is this team’s history