Every NBA franchise has had great players who have given their blood, sweat, and tears while wearing the team’s respective uniform. The Denver Nuggets have had a plethora of great players throughout their history. The Mount Rushmore Nuggets players in their team’s history are listed and analyzed.
The Denver Nuggets’ Mount Rushmore
Honorable mention: Dikembe Mutombo
Former Nuggets center Dikembe Mutombo He was selected fourth overall in the 1991 NBA draft. A Georgetown native, Mutombo was known for his defensive prowess and shot-blocking ability. The 1991 first-round pick played for the Nuggets for his first six seasons and established himself as a force in the league.
As a member of the Nuggets, Mutombo won three consecutive blocker championships (1993-94 to 1995-96), three All-Star nominations and a Defensive Player of the Year award in 1994-95. Additionally, the 2.18 m big man averaged 3.8 blocks per game and 12.3 rebounds during his time in the Mile High City. Mutombo was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.
4. David Thompson
Former Denver fullback David Thompson arrived with the Nuggets in 1975. Thompson played eight seasons for the Nuggets and was a three-time All-Star selection, two-time All-NBA First Team selection and received the All-Star Game MVP award.
Additionally, Thompson averaged 26 points per game as a rookie and 24.9 points per game during his six seasons with the Nuggets. In fact, Thompson scored 73 points on April 9, 1978 against the Detroit Pistons. The former first overall pick shot 73.7 percent from the field in that game, just saying.
3. Carmelo Anthony
Future Hall of Famer and former Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony was part of what is arguably the greatest draft class of all time. The 2003 draft class included Chris Bosh, Dwayne WadeAnd LeBron James Anthony finished third overall in Denver and became one of the league’s all-time leading scorers.
With the Nuggets, Anthony was a four-time All-Star, four-time All-NBA selection and led the Nuggets to the Western Conference Finals in 2009. Additionally, Anthony averaged nearly 25 points per game during his eight seasons with Denver. The 2003 NCAA champion may not have brought Denver a title, but his popularity and style of play earned him a spot on the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.
2. Alex English
Former Nuggets forward Alex English English played in the baby blue uniform for eleven seasons and was named to the All-NBA three times, selected to the All-Star Game eight times and won the scoring title in the 1982-83 season. Speaking of scoring, English averaged 25.5 points per game during his eleven seasons in Denver.
The 1976 second-round pick led Denver to nine consecutive playoff appearances and a Western Conference Finals appearance in 1985. The Basketball Hall of Fame added English in 1997.
1. Nikola Jokic
Nugget Center Nikola Jokic has established himself as one of the NBA’s all-time greats. Jokic has accumulated three MVP awards (in four seasons), six All-Star selections, six All-NBA nominations and led Denver to its first NBA championship in 2023.
Jokic is known for his playmaking abilities and his qualities that allow him to be an impactful scorer and rebounder. The Serbian center is recognized as one of the best players in the world right now. Therefore, Jokic’s accomplishments make him the greatest Nuggets player of all time.
The Last Word on Mount Rushmore: Denver Nuggets
The Mount Rushmore Nuggets basketball team has a selection of the best players in history. Sure, the Nuggets only have one NBA title to their name, but their best player (Jokic) is currently in his prime and has his sights set on leading Denver to more titles.
