Pick Your Five: Choose the Ultimate All-Time Denver Nuggets Starting Lineup from the Franchise’s Greatest Players at Every Position
The Denver Nuggets, one of the NBA’s most entertaining and dynamic franchises, have built a rich and diverse history since joining the league in 1976. Over the decades, they’ve fielded some of the most electrifying scorers, toughest defenders, and imaginative passers the game has seen. From their ABA roots to their modern-day dominance, the Nuggets have been home to legends who defined eras and elevated the franchise in their own unique ways.
Now, Nuggets fans have a fun and difficult challenge: choose the ultimate all-time starting five from a carefully curated list of the top four players at each position in franchise history. Whether you’re drawn to nostalgic icons or the stars of Denver’s recent title run, building your perfect Nuggets lineup means weighing raw stats, influence, chemistry, and impact. So let’s dive into each position and the incredible choices available to make your pick.
Point Guard (PG): Chauncey Billups, Jamal Murray, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Andre Miller
The point guard position in Denver’s history is loaded with contrasting styles. First, there’s Chauncey Billups, the hometown hero who brought leadership, clutch shooting, and playoff poise. Though he spent just a few seasons in Denver, his impact was felt immediately, helping to guide the Nuggets to the Western Conference Finals in 2009. His basketball IQ and late-game fearlessness make him a tempting pick.
Jamal Murray, on the other hand, represents the modern era. He’s already authored multiple historic playoff performances, particularly during the 2020 bubble run and the 2023 championship season. His chemistry with Nikola Jokic is unmatched, and his blend of creativity, shot-making, and killer instinct makes him a foundational piece for today’s fans.
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, once known as Chris Jackson, was an electric scorer with a lightning-quick release and handles that left defenders frozen. Though his era lacked deep playoff runs, Abdul-Rauf’s style was ahead of its time and remains beloved by purists.
Andre Miller, while less flashy, was a steady, old-school floor general who quietly ranks among the NBA’s all-time leaders in assists. His durability and court vision helped guide Denver through several solid years, especially during the early 2000s.
Picking your PG boils down to style: Billups for leadership, Murray for explosiveness, Abdul-Rauf for flair, or Miller for consistency.
Shooting Guard (SG): Fat Lever, Allen Iverson, David Thompson, J.R. Smith
The shooting guard slot is headlined by explosive scorers and unique personalities. Fat Lever, often overlooked outside of Denver, was a triple-double machine in the 1980s and an elite defender. He played bigger than his size, crashed the boards, and brought unmatched energy. A true two-way threat, Lever is an all-time Nuggets great.
David Thompson, known as “Skywalker,” was one of the most influential players of his era. His vertical leap and scoring ability were almost mythical, and he once dropped 73 points in a game. Thompson set the standard for athletic guards and was the face of the Nuggets during the ABA-NBA transition.
Allen Iverson brought his trademark fearlessness to Denver, and while his time with the Nuggets was relatively brief, he still averaged over 25 points per game in a backcourt with Carmelo Anthony. AI’s tenacity and swagger still resonate, and his presence electrified the city.
J.R. Smith, the ultimate heat-check guy, brought chaos and brilliance in equal measure. He could catch fire and shift a game within minutes, and he gave Denver some memorable scoring outbursts during the 2000s.
Whether you’re drawn to Thompson’s historical legacy, Lever’s all-around game, Iverson’s scoring dynamism, or Smith’s unpredictability, there’s no wrong answer at SG—only what style you prefer.
Small Forward (SF): Danilo Gallinari, Alex English, Carmelo Anthony, Kiki VanDeWeghe
Small forward might be the most star-studded and competitive position of all. Alex English, the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, was the model of efficiency and class. With a silky midrange jumper and unmatched consistency, English scored over 21,000 points as a Nugget and made eight All-Star teams. He is arguably the most iconic figure in team history.
Carmelo Anthony is perhaps the most polarizing but undeniably one of the most talented. From 2003 to 2011, Melo was Denver’s face of the franchise, a scoring machine who brought the Nuggets back to relevance. His 2009 playoff run to the Western Conference Finals solidified his place in Nuggets lore, and he remains one of the most gifted offensive players to ever wear the uniform.
Kiki VanDeWeghe brought finesse and a smooth offensive game to the Nuggets in the early ’80s. Though not as decorated as English or Anthony, he was a potent scorer and a key figure during Denver’s fast-paced, high-scoring teams.
Danilo Gallinari, while not as statistically dominant, was a key piece during the 2010s rebuild and helped guide the team to multiple playoff appearances. His versatility and ability to stretch the floor made him a valuable modern forward.
Choosing your SF likely comes down to scoring style—English’s quiet dominance, Melo’s forceful stardom, Kiki’s fluidity, or Gallo’s modern edge.
Power Forward (PF): Bobby Jones, Aaron Gordon, Antonio McDyess, Kenyon Martin
This position offers a blend of defense, athleticism, and raw power. Bobby Jones, a defensive genius and future Hall of Famer, brought effort and integrity to every game. Though his Nuggets tenure was short-lived, he was a crucial part of the team’s early identity.
Antonio McDyess, one of the best athletes to ever play for Denver, was a high-flying dunker and midrange assassin during the late ’90s. Injuries may have limited his long-term impact, but in his prime, he was an elite forward.
Kenyon Martin, the enforcer during the Melo era, brought toughness, rebounding, and emotion to the court. His presence on defense and in the locker room gave the team much-needed grit.
Aaron Gordon, now a reigning champion, has become the quintessential role-playing star. His defense, athleticism, and timely scoring were vital during the 2023 title run, and his fit next to Jokic and Murray is seamless.
For PF, you’re balancing defense versus offense. Gordon and Jones offer more on the defensive end, while McDyess and Martin bring physicality and scoring.
Center (C): Marcus Camby, Dikembe Mutombo, Nikola Jokic, Dan Issel
Center is a fascinating mix of traditional rim protectors and revolutionary playmakers. Nikola Jokic has transformed the center position and is arguably the greatest player in Nuggets history. A two-time MVP, Finals MVP, and championship cornerstone, Jokic blends vision, touch, rebounding, and scoring like no big man before him. If your goal is team success and offensive creativity, Jokic is the centerpiece.
Dikembe Mutombo, the ultimate rim protector, gave the Nuggets one of their most iconic playoff moments with his emotional reaction after the 1994 upset of the Seattle SuperSonics. His shot-blocking and rebounding defined Denver’s interior defense in the early ’90s.
Marcus Camby was another defensive force, anchoring the mid-2000s teams and winning Defensive Player of the Year in 2007. He was an elite shot blocker and smart positional defender.
Dan Issel, the undersized but relentless center from the ABA/NBA merger era, is another Nuggets legend. With over 16,000 points for Denver and a Hall of Fame career, Issel was a consistent scorer and competitor.
Jokic seems like the obvious choice, but if you value defense above all else, Mutombo or Camby could be your pick. Issel offers a more old-school, gritty option with elite scoring.
Making Your Picks
The magic of this exercise lies in mixing and matching across eras. Do you pair Jokic with Murray for proven chemistry? Or do you opt for the flash and historical significance of Thompson and Thompson? Does English’s scoring pair better with Billups’ leadership or Abdul-Rauf’s flair? Is your ideal five offense-heavy, or do you anchor your team with Camby and Jones for a defensive identity?
No matter your choices, every combination tells a story—of eras, of styles, of what you value most in basketball. That’s the joy of being a fan of a franchise with as rich a history as the Denver Nuggets. So who are your five?
