1994–95 Denver Nuggets season explained

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]

Draft picks

See main article: 1994 NBA draft.

Regular season

Season standings

[43]

Record vs. opponents

1994-95 NBA Records
width=100TeamATLBOSCHACHICLEDALDENDETGSWHOUINDLACLALMIAMILMINNJNNYKORLPHIPHOPORSACSASSEAUTAWAS
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
Boston1–3 – 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
Charlotte2–2 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
Chicago4–1 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
Cleveland4–1 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
Dallas0–2 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
Denver0–2 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
Detroit2–3 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 State0–2 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
Houston2–0 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
Indiana4–1 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. Clippers0–2 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. Lakers2–0 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
Miami2–2 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
Milwaukee3–1 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
Minnesota0–2 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 Jersey0–4 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 York2–2 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
Orlando3–1 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
Philadelphia1–3 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
Phoenix1–1 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
Portland1–1 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
Sacramento1–1 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 Antonio1–1 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
Seattle2–0 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
Utah2–0 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
Washington0–4 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 —

Game log

Regular season

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 8| November 19, 1994
7:00p.m. MST| Houston| L 101–109| Williams (26)| Williams (9)| Abdul-Rauf (5)| McNichols Sports Arena
17,171| 5–3|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 12| November 29, 1994
6:30p.m. MST| @ Houston| L 81–96| Rogers (16)| Mutombo (10)| Pack, Rogers (4)| The Summit
14,295| 6–6|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 34| January 14, 1995
7:00p.m. MST| Houston| W 118–104| Abdul-Rauf (36)| Williams (10)| Williams (11)| McNichols Sports Arena
17,171| 18–16|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 42| January 31, 1995
6:30p.m. MST| @ Houston| L 74–86| Rogers (23)| Mutombo (13)| Rogers (5)| The Summit
14,761| 19–23|- align="center"|colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break|- style="background:#cfc;"|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 74| April 9, 1995
1:30p.m. MDT| Houston| L 120–123| Abdul-Rauf (34)| Mutombo (14)| Abdul-Rauf (7)| McNichols Sports Arena
17,171| 35–39

Playoffs

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 1| April 28| @ San Antonio| L 88–104| Bryant Stith (16)| Bison Dele (12)| three players tied (3)| Alamodome
25,235| 0–1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 2| April 30| @ San Antonio| L 96–122| Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (21)| Dale Ellis (10)| Jalen Rose (10)| Alamodome| 0–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 3| May 2| San Antonio| L 95–99| Rogers, Stith (18)| Rodney Rogers (9)| Jalen Rose (7)| McNichols Sports Arena
17,171| 0–3|-

Player statistics

Regular season

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3FG%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf734328.5.470.386.8851.93.61.10.116.0
Reggie Williams747029.7.459.320.7594.43.11.50.913.4
Rodney Rogers807726.8.488.338.6514.82.01.20.612.2
Robert Pack423227.2.430.417.7832.76.91.50.112.1
Dikembe Mutombo828237.8.556.65412.51.40.53.911.5
Dale Ellis81324.6.453.403.8662.70.70.50.111.3
Bryant Stith815128.8.472.294.8243.31.91.10.211.2
Jalen Rose813722.2.454.316.7392.74.80.80.38.2
Bison Dele631020.0.589.6544.70.80.60.77.9
Tom Hammonds70513.7.535.000.7463.20.50.20.25.9
Reggie Slater2509.4.494.7272.30.50.30.14.8
LaPhonso Ellis609.7.3601.0002.80.70.20.84.0
Cliff Levingston5708.2.423.000.4222.20.50.20.42.3
Greg Grant14010.8.303.286.7500.63.10.40.12.2
Eldridge Recasner304.3.167.0001.0000.70.31.00.02.0
Darnell Mee204.0.200.3330.51.00.50.01.5
Mark Randall804.9.300.0001.50.10.00.00.8

Playoffs

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3FG%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Bryant Stith3128.3.531.167.7893.02.30.30.316.7
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf3225.3.364.1671.0001.71.70.70.013.3
Dale Ellis3024.3.357.308.9234.71.00.70.312.0
Jalen Rose3333.0.464.250.6003.76.01.00.710.0
Reggie Williams3328.0.222.3081.0005.34.01.00.38.7
Rodney Rogers3325.3.545.250.2504.01.71.01.38.7
Bison Dele3014.7.5561.0006.00.70.00.38.0
Tom Hammonds3014.7.643.3332.30.30.00.76.7
Dikembe Mutombo3328.0.600.6676.30.30.02.36.0
Cliff Levingston3011.7.500.5003.00.31.00.72.3
Greg Grant306.7.000.0001.0001.01.70.30.00.7

Player Statistics Citation:

Awards, records, and honors

Transactions

Free agents

Additions

PlayerSignedDateFormer team
Reggie SlaterFree agentAugust 2, 1994Girona (Spain)
Cliff LevingstonFree agentSeptember 29, 1994Buckler Bologna (Italy)
Dale EllisFree agentOctober 4, 1994San Antonio Spurs
Mark RandallSigned two 10-day contractsFebruary 23, 1995Fort Wayne Fury (CBA)
Eldridge Recasner10-day contractMarch 14, 1995Yakima Sun Kings (CBA)
Greg GrantSigned two 10-day contractsMarch 14, 1995Mexico City Aztecas (CBA)
Mark RandallSigned for rest of seasonMarch 17, 1995Denver Nuggets
Greg GrantSigned for rest of seasonApril 5, 1995Denver Nuggets

Subtractions

PlayerReason leftDateNew team
Alvin RobertsonWaivedOctober 3, 1994Toronto Raptors
Mark RandallWaivedNovember 1, 1994Fort Wayne Fury (CBA)
Darnell MeeWaivedFebruary 1, 1995Tri-City Chinook (CBA)

Trades

The Denver Nuggets did not make any trades in the off-season and the regular season.

Player Transactions Citation:[44]

References

Notes and References

  1. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DEN/1995.html 1994-95 Denver Nuggets
  2. News: Denlinger . Ken . Robinson Goes with the Bucks . The Washington Post . June 30, 1994 . December 1, 2022.
  3. News: Associated Press . Huge Contract, Big Expectations Await No. 1 Draft Pick Robinson . Deseret News . June 30, 1994 . December 1, 2022.
  4. News: Baker . Chris . NBA DRAFT: Clippers Select Murray: Pro Basketball: Cal Forward Drafted Amid Rumors of Impending Mark Jackson Trade . Los Angeles Times . June 30, 1994 . June 3, 2023.
  5. News: Howard-Cooper . Scott . NBA DRAFT: Lakers Recall the Past: Pro Basketball: Temple Guard Jones Reminiscent of Former Great Michael Cooper . Los Angeles Times . June 30, 1994 . June 3, 2023.
  6. Web site: 1994 NBA Draft . Basketball-Reference . December 1, 2022.
  7. News: Nuggets Sign Ellis . United Press International . October 4, 1994 . February 25, 2023.
  8. News: Nuggets Sign Ellis . Orlando Sentinel . October 5, 1994 . July 31, 2021.
  9. News: Nuggets Sign Ellis to Boost Their Three-Point Shooting . Tampa Bay Times . October 5, 1994 . September 22, 2022.
  10. News: Knight-Ridder/Tribune . Nuggets' Ellis Lost for Season with Knee Injury . Chicago Tribune . November 21, 1994 . July 20, 2017.
  11. News: Nuggets' Ellis to Undergo Knee Surgery . United Press International . November 22, 1994 . October 5, 2022.
  12. News: Nuggets Activate Ellis . United Press International . April 14, 1995 . February 5, 2023.
  13. News: SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Issel Quits as Coach of Nuggets . The New York Times . January 16, 1995 . July 24, 2022.
  14. News: Associated Press . Issel Steps Down as Coach of Nuggets . Los Angeles Times . January 16, 1995 . December 20, 2022.
  15. News: Associated Press . New Nugget Coach Bickerstaff Moves Littles Back to Assistant . Los Angeles Times . February 21, 1995 . April 7, 2023.
  16. News: Bickerstaff Returns to Coach Nuggets . The Washington Post . February 21, 1995 . April 7, 2023.
  17. Web site: 1994–95 Denver Nuggets Schedule and Results. Basketball-Reference. June 23, 2021.
  18. News: NBA Games Played on February 9, 1995 . Basketball-Reference . July 18, 2022.
  19. News: Howard-Cooper . Scott . Lakers in a Real Slump: Pro Basketball: Nuggets Bury Them in First Three-Game Losing Streak of Season, 88-74 . Los Angeles Times . February 4, 1995 . October 5, 2022.
  20. News: Weidie . Kyle . Remembering Robert Pack, a Bullet Flash in the Pan . Bullets Forever . August 4, 2008 . June 17, 2021.
  21. News: Associated Press . PRO BASKETBALL; As Regular Season Ends, Denver's Season Lives On . The New York Times . April 24, 1995 . July 20, 2017.
  22. News: Associated Press . NBA ROUNDUP: Nuggets Win to Clinch Final Playoff Spot, 102-89 . Los Angeles Times . April 24, 1995 . July 24, 2022.
  23. News: Nuggets Bounce Kings for Final Playoff Spot . The Oklahoman . April 24, 1995 . January 29, 2023.
  24. News: Sacramento Kings at Denver Nuggets Box Score, April 23, 1995 . Basketball-Reference . November 19, 2022.
  25. News: Mutombo Named NBA Defensive Player of the Year . United Press International . May 1, 1995 . July 24, 2022.
  26. News: SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Mutombo Honored . The New York Times . May 2, 1995 . February 5, 2023.
  27. News: NBA & ABA Defensive Player of the Year Award Winners . Basketball-Reference . November 29, 2022.
  28. News: Landman . Brian . Will Shaq's Return Bring Double Trouble? . Tampa Bay Times . February 11, 1995 . May 3, 2023.
  29. News: Cotton . Anthony . New-Age NBA Reaches for the Stars . The Washington Post . February 12, 1995 . January 2, 2023.
  30. News: NBA.com Staff . 1995 NBA All-Star Recap . NBA.com . September 13, 2021 . May 17, 2023.
  31. Web site: 1995 NBA All-Star Game: West 139, East 112 . Basketball-Reference . November 28, 2021.
  32. Web site: 1994–95 Denver Nuggets Roster and Stats. Basketball-Reference. June 23, 2021.
  33. News: Associated Press . 1995 N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Suns, Spurs and Pacers Make It a Sweeps Night . The New York Times . May 3, 1995 . May 26, 2022.
  34. News: Associated Press . Spurs, Suns, Pacers Complete Sweeps . Deseret News . May 3, 1995 . November 25, 2022.
  35. News: Associated Press . Spurs Sweep in a Rough One at Denver . Los Angeles Times . May 3, 1995 . June 6, 2022.
  36. News: 1995 NBA Western Conference First Round: Nuggets vs. Spurs . Basketball-Reference . February 5, 2023.
  37. News: Wise . Mike . PRO BASKETBALL; Underclassmen Rule Atop N.B.A. Draft Board . The New York Times . June 29, 1995 . October 13, 2021.
  38. News: Associated Press . 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 . June 29, 1995 . January 30, 2023.
  39. News: Baker . Chris . 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 . June 29, 1995 . July 24, 2022.
  40. News: Associated Press . PRO BASKETBALL; The Bullets Pick Up Pack . The New York Times . October 31, 1995 . December 30, 2021.
  41. News: Justice . Richard . Maclean, Overton Traded . The Washington Post . October 31, 1995 . July 24, 2022.
  42. News: Bembry . Jerry . Bullets Get to Point, Trading for Pack; MacLean, Overton Go to Nuggets for Guard . The Baltimore Sun . October 31, 1995 . January 30, 2023.
  43. https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1995.html 1994-95 NBA Season Summary - Basketball-Reference.com
  44. Web site: 1994–95 Denver Nuggets Transactions. Basketball-Reference. July 9, 2021.

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