1999–2000 Denver Nuggets season explained

The 1999–2000 NBA season was the Nuggets' 24th season in the National Basketball Association, and 33rd season as a franchise.[1] It was also their first season playing at the Pepsi Center.[2] The Nuggets had the 18th overall pick in the 1999 NBA draft, and selected James Posey out of Xavier University.[3] [4] [5] [6] During the off-season, the team acquired Ron Mercer and Popeye Jones from the Boston Celtics,[7] [8] [9] [10] and signed free agent George McCloud.[11] [9] [12] With Dan Issel back as head coach,[13] [14] the Nuggets had a solid nucleus of second-year star Raef LaFrentz, Antonio McDyess and Nick Van Exel with a 17–15 record to start the season.[15] However, the Nuggets would struggle and slip below .500, holding a 21–27 record at the All-Star break.[16]

At the trade deadline, Mercer was dealt along with Chauncey Billups, who only played just 13 games due to a sprained ankle and a shoulder injury,[17] [18] [19] and Johnny Taylor to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Tariq Abdul-Wahad and Chris Gatling.[20] [21] [22] [23] However, Billups never played for the Magic, because of his shoulder injury.[24] [25] The Nuggets went on a 7-game losing streak in March, as Bryant Stith only played just 45 games due to a leg injury.[26] The team managed to win their final four games, and finished fifth in the Midwest Division with a 35–47 record.[27]

McDyess averaged 19.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game, while Van Exel averaged 16.1 points and 9.0 assists per game, and LaFrentz provided the team with 12.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game. In addition, McCloud contributed 10.1 points per game off the bench, while second-year center Keon Clark averaged 8.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, and Posey provided with 8.2 points per game, and was selected to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.[28]

Following the season, Stith and rookie guard Chris Herren were both traded to the Boston Celtics,[29] [30] [31] while Gatling was traded back to his former team, the Miami Heat, who then sent him to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team trade,[32] [33] [34] Jones was dealt to the Washington Wizards,[35] and Cory Alexander signed as a free agent with the Orlando Magic.

Draft picks

See main article: 1999 NBA draft.

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalitySchool/Club Team
1 18 SF Xavier (OH)
2 33 PG Fresno State
2 41 C California

Regular season

Season standings

z - clinched division title

y - clinched division title

x - clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1999-2000 NBA Records
width=100TeamATLBOSCHACHICLEDALDENDETGSWHOUINDLACLALMIAMILMINNJNNYKORLPHIPHOPORSACSASSEATORUTAVANWAS
Atlanta1–3 1–3 3–1 3–1 0–2 1–1 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 2–2 0–4 1–1 3–1 2–1 0–3 0–4 0–2 0–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–3
Boston3–1 1–3 2–2 2–2 1–1 2–0 0–3 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–2 0–2 3–1 2–2 2–2 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–1
Charlotte3–1 3–1 4–0 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 0–2 2–2 3–1 2–0 2–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 2–0 3–0
Chicago1–3 2–2 0–4 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–3 0–2 0–2 1–3 2–0 0–2 2–2 1–3 0–2 2–1 0–3 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 2–2
Cleveland1–3 2–2 1–3 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 2–0 0–2 0–3 1–3 0–2 2–2 3–1 2–1 0–4 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–4 0–2 2–0 3–1
Dallas2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 3–1 2–0 4–0 1–3 1–1 4–0 1–3 0–2 0–2 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 3–1 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–1 1–3 3–1 1–1
Denver1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–1 2–2 2–2 0–2 3–1 1–3 0–2 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–3 2–2 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–0 2–2 2–2 1–1
Detroit3–1 3–0 2–2 3–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 2–2 3–1 0–2 2–1 1–3 2–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 2–2 0–2 2–0 2–2
Golden State2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–2 0–2 1–3 0–2 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–1 1–3 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–4 0–4 1–3 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–4 3–1 1–1
Houston1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 4–0 2–2 1–1 0–2 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–3 0–4 1–3 0–2 1–3 2–2 1–1
Indiana3–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 3–1 2–2 2–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–1
L.A. Clippers1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–3 0–2 3–1 0–4 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–4 1–3 0–4 1–3 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–1
L.A. Lakers2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 3–1 2–0 4–0 2–2 1–1 4–0 2–0 2–0 4–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 4–0 2–2 3–1 1–3 3–1 1–1 3–1 4–0 1–1
Miami2–2 3–1 2–2 2–2 3–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 0–2 2–2 2–0 2–2 3–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–2 1–1 1–1 4–0
Milwaukee4–0 2–1 1–3 3–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 1–3 1–1 2–0 2–2 2–0 0–2 2–2 0–2 1–3 0–4 4–0 0–3 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–1
Minnesota1–1 2–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–2 2–0 3–1 4–0 1–1 3–1 0–4 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 3–1 4–0 0–2
New Jersey1–3 1–3 1–2 1–2 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–2 2–0 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 2–2 3–1 1–1 1–3 3–2 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–3
New York1–2 2–2 3–1 3–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 4–0 1–1 3–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–3 0–2 2–0 2–2
Orlando3–0 2–2 2–2 4–0 1–2 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–2 2–0 0–2 1–3 0–4 1–1 2–3 1–3 2–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 4–0
Philadelphia4–0 3–1 1–3 4–0 4–0 2–0 0–2 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 3–0 1–1 3–1 1–3 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 3–0 1–1 2–0 3–1
Phoenix2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–3 3–1 2–0 4–0 2–2 1–1 4–0 0–4 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–3 4–0 2–2 2–2 1–1 0–4 4–0 2–0
Portland2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 4–0 2–2 0–2 4–0 2–2 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 3–1 4–0 3–1 4–0 1–1 3–1 3–1 2–0
Sacramento0–2 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 3–1 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–4 0–4 3–1 2–2 1–1 1–3 3–1 2–0
San Antonio2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–2 3–1 1–1 4–0 4–0 1–1 4–0 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–3 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–1 2–2 4–0 1–1
Seattle1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–1 3–1 0–2 4–0 3–1 1–1 3–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–2 0–4 2–2 2–2 0–2 2–2 4–0 2–0
Toronto2–2 2–2 1–3 4–0 4–0 1–1 0–2 2–2 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 2–1 2–2 0–2 2–2 3–1 2–2 0–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–2
Utah2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–0 4–0 3–1 0–2 4–0 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 1–3 3–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 3–1 2–0
Vancouver1–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 0–2 1–3 2–2 0–2 1–3 2–2 0–2 3–1 0–4 1–1 1–1 0–4 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–3 0–4 0–4 1–1 1–3 1–1
Washington3–1 1–3 0–3 2–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–3 2–0 3–1 2–2 0–4 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–2 0–2 1–1

Game log

Player statistics

Regular season

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3FG%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Antonio McDyess818133.3.507.000.6268.52.00.91.719.1
Ron Mercer373738.1.444.385.7884.12.80.90.418.3
Nick Van Exel797937.3.390.332.8173.99.00.90.116.1
Raef LaFrentz818030.1.446.328.6867.91.20.52.212.4
Chris Gatling40019.3.456.234.7425.10.80.90.310.4
George McCloud781127.2.417.378.8183.73.20.60.310.1
Tariq Abdul-Wahad151024.9.389.500.7383.51.70.40.88.9
Chauncey Billups13523.5.337.171.8412.63.00.80.28.6
Keon Clark812022.8.542.125.6886.20.90.61.48.6
James Posey817725.3.429.373.8003.91.81.20.48.2
Bryant Stith45615.4.455.304.8311.91.40.40.35.6
Chris Herren45113.3.363.358.6751.22.50.30.03.1
Cory Alexander29211.3.286.257.7731.42.00.80.12.8
Popeye Jones4018.3.423.667.7372.60.50.10.22.6
Ryan Bowen52011.3.393.111.7172.20.40.80.32.5
Roy Rogers4008.9.398.000.4632.00.20.11.02.2
Johnny Taylor105.0.0001.00.00.00.00.0
Player Statistics Citation:

Awards and records

Notes and References

  1. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DEN/2000.html 1999-2000 Denver Nuggets
  2. News: Teaford . Elliott . Another Scorer Added in Trade . Los Angeles Times . September 28, 1999 . November 17, 2022.
  3. News: Heisler . Mark . Dukies Are Way Up . Los Angeles Times . July 1, 1999 . June 4, 2023.
  4. News: Sheridan . Chris . Brand, Francis, Davis Go 1, 2, 3 . Associated Press . July 1, 1999 . June 4, 2023.
  5. News: The NBA Draft . Hartford Courant . July 1, 1999 . June 4, 2023.
  6. Web site: 1999 NBA Draft . Basketball-Reference . June 4, 2023.
  7. News: Associated Press . Celtics Trade Mercer in Six-Player Deal . Los Angeles Times . August 4, 1999 . September 15, 2022.
  8. News: Greenberg . Alan . Celts Cash Out on Mercer . Hartford Courant . August 4, 1999 . December 15, 2022.
  9. News: Associated Press . NBA Teams Get Busy Trading and Signing . Deseret News . August 4, 1999 . July 3, 2023.
  10. News: NBA Trade Roundup . Associated Press . August 4, 1999 . October 14, 2021.
  11. News: Wise . Mike . PRO BASKETBALL; Oakley Talks to Knicks and Meets with Lakers . The New York Times . August 4, 1999 . November 7, 2022.
  12. News: Wise . Mike . 1999–2000 N.B.A. PREVIEW; The West Is Still the Best . The New York Times . October 31, 1999 . January 13, 2022.
  13. News: Associated Press . PLUS: PRO BASKETBALL -- DENVER; Issel Takes Over Nuggets Again . The New York Times . September 15, 1999 . June 8, 2022.
  14. News: Associated Press . D'Antoni Out, Issel In as Nugget Coach . Los Angeles Times . September 15, 1999 . November 26, 2022.
  15. News: Charlotte Hornets at Denver Nuggets Box Score, January 8, 2000 . Basketball-Reference . September 16, 2022.
  16. News: NBA Games Played on February 10, 2000 . Basketball-Reference . July 22, 2022.
  17. News: Nuggets' Billups Out with Injury . Associated Press . November 1, 1999 . November 15, 2022.
  18. News: Billups Done for the Year . United Press International . December 23, 1999 . July 3, 2023.
  19. News: Times Wire Services . Nuggets' Billups to Have Shoulder Surgery . Los Angeles Times . December 25, 1999 . June 8, 2022.
  20. News: Associated Press . Magic and Nuggets Ship Players . CBS News . February 1, 2000 . July 3, 2023.
  21. News: Associated Press . Magic, Nuggets Agree to a Five-Player Trade . Los Angeles Times . February 1, 2000 . January 9, 2023.
  22. News: Povtak . Tim . Magic Trade Abdul-Wahad and Gatling . Orlando Sentinel . February 1, 2000 . September 12, 2022.
  23. News: Associated Press . N.B.A.: ORLANDO-DENVER; Mercer Goes to Magic . The New York Times . February 2, 2000 . October 15, 2021.
  24. News: Chauncey Was Here . Orlando Sentinel . April 23, 2007 . July 4, 2023.
  25. News: Schmitz . Brian . Billups Haunted Orlando . Orlando Sentinel . January 14, 2010 . October 17, 2022.
  26. News: Injured Stith Unsure of Future . Associated Press . March 17, 2000 . October 4, 2022.
  27. Web site: 1999–2000 Denver Nuggets Schedule and Results. Basketball-Reference. July 15, 2021.
  28. Web site: 1999–2000 Denver Nuggets Roster and Stats. Basketball-Reference. July 15, 2021.
  29. News: PLUS: PRO BASKETBALL; Pack Trade to Nuggets Official . The New York Times . October 17, 2000 . January 11, 2022.
  30. News: Associated Press . Celtics, Nuggets Complete Four-Player Trade . Los Angeles Times . October 17, 2000 . October 3, 2022.
  31. News: Gardner . Kris . Pack Returns to Nuggets . The Houston Roundball Review . October 29, 2000 . July 4, 2023.
  32. News: Associated Press . Gatling, Weatherspoon Go to Cavs . ESPN . August 31, 2000 . July 8, 2023.
  33. News: Associated Press . PRO BASKETBALL; Trade Sends Grant to Heat . The New York Times . August 31, 2000 . June 28, 2022.
  34. News: Associated Press . Kemp to Portland, Grant to Miami in 3-Team Deal . Los Angeles Times . August 31, 2000 . October 12, 2022.
  35. News: Wyche . Steve . Wizards Trade Murray to Nuggets . The Washington Post . September 26, 2000 . November 26, 2022.