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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 1976: Bobby Jones #24 of the Denver Nuggets shoots over Tim Bassett #21 of the New Jersey Nets during an ABA basketball game circa 1976 at the Rutgers Athletic Center in Piscataway, New Jersey. Jones played for the Nuggets from 1976-78. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bobby Jones; Tim Bassett
PISCATAWAY, NJ – CIRCA 1976: Bobby Jones #24 of the Denver Nuggets shoots over Tim Bassett #21 of the New Jersey Nets during an ABA basketball game circa 1976 at the Rutgers Athletic Center in Piscataway, New Jersey. Jones played for the Nuggets from 1976-78. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bobby Jones; Tim Bassett /

<strong>How acquired: </strong>Trade, Carolina Cougars, June 15, 1974.. PF. 1974-78. Bobby Jones . 5. player. 73

The Denver Rockets—soon to be the Nuggets—acquired the rights to North Carolina’s Bobby Jones in a June 1974 trade with the Carolina Cougars, sending the rights to Marvin Barnes from Providence to the Cougars in exchange.

It was a fantastic deal for Denver. Jones was a three-time All-Star for the Nuggets, was an All-ABA pick in 1975-76 and made four All-Defensive teams.

DEN_05_JONES
DEN_05_JONES /

He led the ABA in field-goal percentage in 1974-75 and 1975-76 and led the NBA in the same category in 1977-78, finishing third in 1976-77. He was also fifth in the ABA in steals in 1975-76 and placed fifth in blocks in the ABA in both 1974-75 and 1975-76.

But as good as the deal was that brought Jones to Denver, the one that sent him away may have been as bad.

In August 1978, the Nuggets traded Jones, Ralph Simpson and a first-round pick in 1984 to the Philadelphia 76ers for George McGinnis and the rights to 21st overall pick Mike Evans.

In four seasons in Denver, Jones averaged 14.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, two steals and 1.9 blocks in 32.1 minutes per game, shooting .583/0-for-1/.715.

With the 76ers, Jones was the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 1982-83 and won a championship with Philadelphia the same season.

Jones is the ABA’s all-time leader with a field-goal percentage of .592, is 16th in ABA history with 337 steals and 11th with 337 blocked shots.

Additionally, Jones is 16th in NBA history with a field-goal percentage of .550.

Next: Melo Grew Up In Denver

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