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Denver Nuggets: 25 Best Players To Play For The Nuggets

By Phil Watson

Mar 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the Denver Nuggets logo on the floor prior to the game between the Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the Denver Nuggets logo on the floor prior to the game between the Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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PISCATAWAY, NJ - CIRCA 1979: Dan Issel #44 of the Denver Nuggets grabs a rebound against the New Jersey Nets during an NBA basketball game circa 1979 at the Rutgers Athletic Center in Piscataway, New Jersey. Issel played for the Nuggets from 1975-85. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dan Issel
PISCATAWAY, NJ – CIRCA 1979: Dan Issel #44 of the Denver Nuggets grabs a rebound against the New Jersey Nets during an NBA basketball game circa 1979 at the Rutgers Athletic Center in Piscataway, New Jersey. Issel played for the Nuggets from 1975-85. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dan Issel /

6. player. 73. <strong>How acquired: </strong>Trade, Baltimore Claws, Oct. 8, 1975.. C. 1975-85. Dan Issel

Dan Issel landed in the lap of the Denver Nuggets because they had money and the Baltimore Claws didn’t. Denver sent Dave Robisch and $500,000 cash to the financially strapped Claws in exchange for Issel in October 1975.

It didn’t help Baltimore, which folded before the final ABA season began.

DEN_06_ISSEL
DEN_06_ISSEL /

Issel, on the other hand, was a two-time All-Star for the Nuggets and played in the Mile High City until he retired after the 1984-85 season.

In 10 seasons in Denver, Issel averaged 20.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and a steal in 31.4 minutes per game, shooting .507/.253/.799.

The fifth overall pick out of Kentucky by the Kentucky Colonels in the 1970 ABA Draft, Issel was also chosen in the eighth round that year by the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Draft.

He opted to sign with Kentucky and was ABA Rookie of the Year in 1970-71, winning the ABA scoring title in the process, and won an ABA championship with the Colonels in 1975.

In September 1975, Issel was traded to the Claws before moving to Denver just a few weeks later.

He is 23rd in ABA history with 500 games, 11th with 19,442 minutes played, sixth with 5,426 rebounds, 25th with 245 steals, second with 12,823 points, fourth with averages of 38.9 minutes and 25.6 points per game and 14th with an average of 10.9 rebounds per game.

For Issel’s NBA tenure, he is 49th all-time with an average of 20.4 points per game.

Issel served two stints as coach of the Nuggets, the first from 1992-95 and the second from 1999-01, compiling a combined record of 180-208. He was also the general manager in Denver from March 1998 through August 2001.

His second coaching tenure ended when he opted to resign after being placed on a leave of absence after he was heard using a Hispanic slur to a fan who had taunted him after a game at the Pepsi Center.

Issel was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.

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