NBA professional basketball team season
NBA professional basketball team season
The 1994–95 NBA season was the Nuggets' 19th season in the National Basketball Association , and 28th season as a franchise.[ 1] The Nuggets had the thirteenth overall pick in the 1994 NBA draft , and selected Jalen Rose from the University of Michigan ,[ 2] [ 3] [ 4] [ 5] [ 6] and signed free agent Dale Ellis during the off-season.[ 7] [ 8] [ 9] Coming off their improbable playoff run, the Nuggets were bitten by the injury bug, losing LaPhonso Ellis for all but the final six games of the season due to a knee injury from an off-season pickup game.[ 10] [ 11] [ 12] Without their star forward, second-year forward Rodney Rogers became the team's starting power forward, while the Nuggets also replaced scoring leader Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf as the team's starting point guard with Robert Pack , as the team won five of their first six games. However, head coach Dan Issel resigned with the team holding an 18–16 record.[ 13] [ 14] Under his assistant Gene Littles , the Nuggets struggled losing 13 of their next 16 games as Littles was replaced with General Manager Bernie Bickerstaff .[ 15] [ 16] [ 17] The team was out of playoff position with a 20–26 record at the All-Star break.[ 18]
Pack would come down with a knee injury in February, as Abdul-Rauf returned to the lineup; Pack would return during the final month of the season in April, but would then re-injure his knee after only playing just 42 games, starting in 32 of them, averaging 12.1 points, 6.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game.[ 19] [ 20] Under Bickerstaff, the Nuggets would recover making a late push winning 20 of their final 32 games. On the final day of the regular season, they faced the Sacramento Kings as both teams were fighting for the #8 seed in the Western Conference. The Nuggets would defeat the Kings, 102–89 at McNichols Sports Arena to enter the playoffs, finishing fourth in the Midwest Division with a 41–41 record.[ 21] [ 22] [ 23] [ 24]
Dikembe Mutombo captured his first Defensive Player of the Year award,[ 25] [ 26] [ 27] averaging 11.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and 3.9 blocks per game, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, and selected for the 1995 NBA All-Star Game .[ 28] [ 29] [ 30] [ 31] In addition, Abdul-Rauf led the team in scoring averaging 16.0 points per game, while Reggie Williams provided the team with 13.4 points and 1.5 steals per game, and Rogers contributed 12.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. Dale Ellis played a sixth man role, averaging 11.3 points off the bench, while Bryant Stith contributed 11.2 points per game, Rose provided with 8.2 points and 4.8 assists per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, and Brian Williams averaged 7.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per game off the bench.[ 32]
However, in the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs , the Nuggets were unable to repeat their previous playoff run, as they were swept by the San Antonio Spurs in three straight games.[ 33] [ 34] [ 35] [ 36] This would also be the Nuggets' final playoff appearance until 2004 . Following the season, Rogers and Williams were both traded to the Los Angeles Clippers ,[ 37] [ 38] [ 39] and Pack was dealt to the Washington Bullets .[ 40] [ 41] [ 42]
Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club Team 1 11 Jalen Rose SG/SF United States Michigan
Players Coaches Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From G 1 Abdul-Rauf, Mahmoud 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 162 lb (73 kg) 1969–03–09 LSU F 3 Ellis, Dale 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1960–08–06 Tennessee F 20 Ellis, LaPhonso 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1970–05–05 Notre Dame G 9 Grant, Greg 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) 140 lb (64 kg) 1966–08–29 TCNJ F 21 Hammonds, Tom 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1967–03–27 Georgia Tech F 53 Levingston, Cliff 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1961–01–04 Wichita State C 55 Mutombo, Dikembe 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1966–06–25 Georgetown G 14 Pack, Robert 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1969–02–03 USC F 42 Randall, Mark 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1967–09–30 Kansas F 54 Rogers, Rodney 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1971–05–20 Wake Forest G 5 Rose, Jalen 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1973–01–30 Michigan F 35 Slater, Reggie 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1970–08–27 Wyoming G 23 Stith, Bryant 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 208 lb (94 kg) 1970–12–10 Virginia C 8 Williams, Brian 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 260 lb (118 kg) 1969–04–06 Arizona F 34 Williams, Reggie 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1964–03–05 Georgetown
Head coach Assistant coach(es) Legend (DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) Suspended Injured Roster Last transaction: April 5, 1995
[ 43]
Record vs. opponents [ edit ] 1994-95 NBA Records Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIA MIL MIN NJN NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA UTA WAS Atlanta – 3–1 2–2 1–4 1–4 2–0 2–0 3–2 2–0 0–2 1–4 2–0 0–2 2–2 1–3 2–0 4–0 2–2 1–3 3–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 4–0 Boston 1–3 – 1–3 0–4 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 4–1 1–3 2–0 2–3 0–5 2–3 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 3–1 Charlotte 2–2 3–1 – 2–2 3–2 0–2 1–1 5–0 2–0 0–2 1–4 2–0 0–2 3–1 4–1 1–1 3–1 3–1 1–3 3–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 3–1 Chicago 4–1 4–0 2–2 – 2–3 1–1 1–1 5–0 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–4 2–0 2–2 3–1 1–3 4–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 Cleveland 4–1 2–2 2–3 3–2 – 0–2 1–1 2–2 2–0 0–2 2–3 1–1 1–1 1–3 4–0 1–1 4–0 2–2 1–3 3–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 3–1 Dallas 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 – 1–4 1–1 3–1 2–3 1–1 3–1 1–3 0–2 1–1 4–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 0–4 3–1 2–2 2–3 0–4 2–4 1–1 Denver 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–1 – 1–1 1–3 1–4 1–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 2–0 6–0 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–3 3–1 2–2 1–4 1–3 1–4 2–0 Detroit 2–3 1–3 0–5 0–5 2–2 1–1 1–1 – 1–1 0–2 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 2–3 1–1 2–2 1–3 1–3 4–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 3–1 Golden State 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–3 3–1 1–1 – 0–4 0–2 3–2 3–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–2 1–4 0–5 1–3 1–4 2–2 2–0 Houston 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 3–2 4–1 2–0 4–0 – 1–1 3–1 0–4 2–0 1–1 3–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 2–0 3–1 1–3 3–1 1–5 0–4 2–3 2–0 Indiana 4–1 2–2 4–1 2–2 3–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–1 – 2–0 1–1 2–2 3–2 2–0 3–1 1–3 2–2 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 0–2 3–1 L.A. Clippers 0–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 0–4 1–1 2–3 1–3 0–2 – 2–3 0–2 1–1 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–4 0–5 1–4 0–4 0–5 1–3 0–2 L.A. Lakers 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 2–3 4–0 1–1 3–2 – 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–4 2–3 3–2 1–3 4–1 2–2 2–0 Miami 2–2 1–4 1–3 1–3 3–1 2–0 0–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 2–2 2–0 1–1 – 4–0 1–1 1–3 1–4 1–3 1–4 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 4–1 Milwaukee 3–1 3–1 1–4 4–1 0–4 1–1 0–2 3–2 2–0 1–1 2–3 1–1 1–1 0–4 – 1–1 2–2 2–2 0–4 3–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 3–1 Minnesota 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–4 0–6 1–1 3–1 2–3 0–2 3–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 – 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 0–4 1–3 0–5 0–4 1–4 1–1 New Jersey 0–4 3–2 1–3 2–2 0–4 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 2–0 0–2 3–1 2–2 1–1 – 1–4 2–2 2–3 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–3 New York 2–2 5–0 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 2–0 4–1 2–2 2–0 4–1 – 2–3 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 0–2 4–0 Orlando 3–1 3–2 3–1 3–1 3–1 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 3–1 4–0 1–1 2–2 3–2 – 4–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–2 Philadelphia 1–3 1–3 1–3 0–4 1–3 0–2 1–1 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–4 1–1 1–1 4–1 1–3 1–1 3–2 0–4 1–4 – 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 3–2 Phoenix 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 3–1 1–1 2–3 1–3 1–1 4–1 4–1 2–0 2–0 4–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 – 5–0 4–1 2–2 4–1 2–2 2–0 Portland 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–3 2–0 4–1 3–1 1–1 5–0 3–2 2–0 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–5 – 3–2 1–3 2–3 1–3 2–0 Sacramento 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 5–0 1–3 0–2 4–1 2–3 2–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–4 2–3 – 0–4 3–2 0–4 1–1 San Antonio 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–2 4–1 2–0 3–1 5–1 0–2 4–0 3–1 2–0 2–0 5–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 3–1 4–0 – 2–2 3–2 2–0 Seattle 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 4–0 3–1 2–0 4–1 4–0 1–1 5–0 1–4 2–0 2–0 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–4 3–2 2–3 2–2 – 1–3 2–0 Utah 2–0 2–0 0–2 2–0 1–1 4–2 4–1 2–0 2–2 3–2 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–0 2–0 4–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 3–1 4–0 2–3 3–1 – 2–0 Washington 0–4 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–3 0–2 0–2 1–3 2–0 0–2 1–4 1–3 1–1 3–2 0–4 2–3 2–3 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 —
1994–95 game log Total: 41–31 (home: 23–18; road: 18–23) November: 6–6 (home: 4–4; road: 2–2)
December: 8–7 (home: 5–2; road: 3–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record
January: 5–10 (home: 4–3; road: 1–7)
February: 5–8 (home: 3–4; road: 2–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record All-Star Break
March: 10–5 (home: 4–1; road: 6–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record
April: 7–5 (home: 3–4; road: 4–1)
1994–95 schedule
1995 playoff game log First round: 0–3 (home: 0–1; road: 0–2)
1995 schedule
Player Statistics Citation:[ 32]
Awards, records, and honors[ edit ] The Denver Nuggets did not make any trades in the off-season and the regular season.
Player Transactions Citation:[ 44]
^ 1994-95 Denver Nuggets ^ Denlinger, Ken (June 30, 1994). "Robinson Goes with the Bucks" . The Washington Post . Retrieved December 1, 2022 . ^ "Huge Contract, Big Expectations Await No. 1 Draft Pick Robinson" . Deseret News . Associated Press. June 30, 1994. Retrieved December 1, 2022 . ^ Baker, Chris (June 30, 1994). "NBA DRAFT: Clippers Select Murray: Pro Basketball: Cal Forward Drafted Amid Rumors of Impending Mark Jackson Trade" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved June 3, 2023 . ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 30, 1994). "NBA DRAFT: Lakers Recall the Past: Pro Basketball: Temple Guard Jones Reminiscent of Former Great Michael Cooper" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved June 3, 2023 . ^ "1994 NBA Draft" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved December 1, 2022 . ^ "Nuggets Sign Ellis" . United Press International . October 4, 1994. Retrieved February 25, 2023 . ^ "Nuggets Sign Ellis" . Orlando Sentinel . October 5, 1994. Retrieved July 31, 2021 . ^ "Nuggets Sign Ellis to Boost Their Three-Point Shooting" . Tampa Bay Times . October 5, 1994. Retrieved September 22, 2022 . ^ "Nuggets' Ellis Lost for Season with Knee Injury" . Chicago Tribune . Knight-Ridder/Tribune. November 21, 1994. Retrieved July 20, 2017 . ^ "Nuggets' Ellis to Undergo Knee Surgery" . United Press International . November 22, 1994. Retrieved October 5, 2022 . ^ "Nuggets Activate Ellis" . United Press International . April 14, 1995. Retrieved February 5, 2023 . ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Issel Quits as Coach of Nuggets" . The New York Times . January 16, 1995. Retrieved July 24, 2022 . ^ "Issel Steps Down as Coach of Nuggets" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. January 16, 1995. Retrieved December 20, 2022 . ^ "New Nugget Coach Bickerstaff Moves Littles Back to Assistant" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. February 21, 1995. Retrieved April 7, 2023 . ^ "Bickerstaff Returns to Coach Nuggets" . The Washington Post . February 21, 1995. Retrieved April 7, 2023 . ^ "1994–95 Denver Nuggets Schedule and Results" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 23, 2021 . ^ "NBA Games Played on February 9, 1995" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved July 18, 2022 . ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (February 4, 1995). "Lakers in a Real Slump: Pro Basketball: Nuggets Bury Them in First Three-Game Losing Streak of Season, 88-74" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved October 5, 2022 . ^ Weidie, Kyle (August 4, 2008). "Remembering Robert Pack, a Bullet Flash in the Pan" . Bullets Forever . Retrieved June 17, 2021 . ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; As Regular Season Ends, Denver's Season Lives On" . The New York Times . Associated Press. April 24, 1995. Retrieved July 20, 2017 . ^ "NBA ROUNDUP: Nuggets Win to Clinch Final Playoff Spot, 102-89" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. April 24, 1995. Retrieved July 24, 2022 . ^ "Nuggets Bounce Kings for Final Playoff Spot" . The Oklahoman . April 24, 1995. Retrieved January 29, 2023 . ^ "Sacramento Kings at Denver Nuggets Box Score, April 23, 1995" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved November 19, 2022 . ^ "Mutombo Named NBA Defensive Player of the Year" . United Press International . May 1, 1995. Retrieved July 24, 2022 . ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Mutombo Honored" . The New York Times . May 2, 1995. Retrieved February 5, 2023 . ^ "NBA & ABA Defensive Player of the Year Award Winners" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved November 29, 2022 . ^ Landman, Brian (February 11, 1995). "Will Shaq's Return Bring Double Trouble?" . Tampa Bay Times . Retrieved May 3, 2023 . ^ Cotton, Anthony (February 12, 1995). "New-Age NBA Reaches for the Stars" . The Washington Post . Retrieved January 2, 2023 . ^ "1995 NBA All-Star Recap" . NBA.com . NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2023 . ^ "1995 NBA All-Star Game: West 139, East 112" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved November 28, 2021 . ^ a b "1994–95 Denver Nuggets Roster and Stats" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 23, 2021 . ^ "1995 N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Suns, Spurs and Pacers Make It a Sweeps Night" . The New York Times . Associated Press. May 3, 1995. Retrieved May 26, 2022 . ^ "Spurs, Suns, Pacers Complete Sweeps" . Deseret News . Associated Press. May 3, 1995. Retrieved November 25, 2022 . ^ "Spurs Sweep in a Rough One at Denver" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. May 3, 1995. Retrieved June 6, 2022 . ^ "1995 NBA Western Conference First Round: Nuggets vs. Spurs" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved February 5, 2023 . ^ Wise, Mike (June 29, 1995). "PRO BASKETBALL; Underclassmen Rule Atop N.B.A. Draft Board" . The New York Times . Retrieved October 13, 2021 . ^ "NBA DRAFT: Clippers Deal No. 2 McDyess to Nuggets: Pro Basketball: L.A. Gets Rodney Rogers and Rights to Oregon State's Brent Barry. O'Bannon Goes Ninth to New Jersey, and Zidek Is Selected No. 22 by Charlotte" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. June 29, 1995. Retrieved January 30, 2023 . ^ Baker, Chris (June 29, 1995). "NBA DRAFT: Clippers Hope This Shortcut Is Right Way: Pro Basketball: They Give Up No. 2 Pick McDyess to Get Rodney Rogers and No. 15 Pick Brent Barry from Nuggets" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved July 24, 2022 . ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; The Bullets Pick Up Pack" . The New York Times . Associated Press. October 31, 1995. Retrieved December 30, 2021 . ^ Justice, Richard (October 31, 1995). "Maclean, Overton Traded" . The Washington Post . Retrieved July 24, 2022 . ^ Bembry, Jerry (October 31, 1995). "Bullets Get to Point, Trading for Pack; MacLean, Overton Go to Nuggets for Guard" . The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved January 30, 2023 . ^ 1994-95 NBA Season Summary - Basketball-Reference.com ^ "1994–95 Denver Nuggets Transactions" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 9, 2021 .
Franchise Arenas Personnel G League affiliate Retired numbers NBA championships Rivalries Culture and lore
1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s