Denver Nuggets: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history

3. Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (PG) — No. 3 pick in 1990 NBA Draft

Career stats (with the Nuggets): 439 GP, 16.0 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 4.0 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 44.3 FG%, 91.6 FT%

Formerly known as Chris Jackson, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf was one of the most exciting players in the league when part of the Nuggets.

There are some — most notably Phil Jackson — who compare Abdul-Rauf to Stephen Curry, and watching his highlights, it’s easy to see why. MAR was dynamic off the dribble, able to pull up from anywhere off the dribble, no matter the degree of difficulty.

His quickness allowed him to maneuver past even the toughest of defenders, and that tough shot-making made him one of the most exciting players to watch, especially in the 90s, where guys with that much skill had never been seen before.

Abdul-Rauf averaged over 18 points on three separate occasions, made the All-Rookie Second Team, and was named the league’s Most Improved Player in 1993.

Oh, and he rarely missed free throws, routinely clocking in above 85 percent, and even leading the league in that category two times.

As someone with a Curry-like ability to put the ball in the basket from such ridiculous angles, Abdul-Rauf was unquestionably a man ahead of his time. Had he played in this era, there shouldn’t be much debate as to how much he would’ve dominated the point guards of today.