Denver Nuggets: 25 Best Players To Play For The Nuggets
By Phil Watson
73. <strong>How acquired: </strong>Trade, Indiana Pacers, Aug. 7, 1973.. C. 1973-75. Mike Green . 15. player
The ABA’s Indiana Pacers selected Louisiana Tech center Mike Green in a “special circumstance” draft in January 1973 and traded his rights to the Denver Rockets for cash in August 1973.
Green was an All-Rookie selection in 1973-74 and, after the team was renamed the Nuggets for the 1974-75 season, Green was an All-Star in 1975, finishing third in the ABA in blocks in 1974-75.
, the second overall pick in the 1975 ABA Draft.
In two seasons in Denver, Green averaged 14.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 26.3 minutes per game, shooting .507/1-for-6/.742.
The Squires folded in May 1976 and Green was not selected in the ABA dispersal draft as part of the merger between the rival leagues, signing with the Seattle SuperSonics in September 1976. It was Seattle who had taken him with the fourth overall pick in the 1973 NBA Draft.
In November 1977, he was traded to the San Antonio Spurs and in September 1979, Green was dealt to the Kansas City Kings.
He retired at the end of the 1979-80 season at the age of 28.
His 380 blocked shots were seventh in ABA history and his field-goal percentage of .493 was 23rd.
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