National Basketball Association

Just for Fun: The 1985 Denver Nuggets vs. the 2009 Denver Nuggets

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 4:44 p.m. ET

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Nov 16, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) defends New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets have had great teams throughout their history, but 1985 and 2009 are the cream of the crop.

The 1985 Denver Nuggets and the 2009 Denver Nuggets are two of the best teams in franchise history. Both teams were able to reach the Western Conference Finals, and sadly, both lost to the Lakers.

However, one could argue that these teams could’ve advanced to the Finals if they were matched up against anyone else. Keep in mind that Alex English was hurt in the 1985 series against Los Angeles. So really, there could have been a Celtics-Nuggets Finals if English was able to play. Enough with the Lakers though, let’s preview both teams and how they match up.

On the 1985 squad, we have Alex English leading the way along with Fat Lever. Their bench consists of Danny Schayes, Elston Turner, and Blair Rasmussen to lead the second unit’s core along with being coached by Doug Moe.

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On the ’09 squad, we have another great small forward and point guard combination with Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups. This squad has a great make-up with their bench being led by J.R. Smith and Chris “Birdman,” Anderson. Obviously George Karl is the coach as this was the year that was most successful for him during his Denver tenure.

Without further ado, let’s dive into what the game would look like.

Oct 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Nene Hilario (42) during a game against the New York Knicks at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The first quarter proves to be a battle to both teams

Nene uses his height to win to tip-off against the 6’10 Calvin Natt. Right away Mr. Big Shot dishes it to Melo for him to isolate English.

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The English-Anthony matchup shapes up to be an intriguing matchup for the entire game. However, English stifles Melo as he misses a mid-range jump-shot.

The ’85 squad runs their offense to perfection as they seem to have an advantage over the ’09 squad who mainly utilize their fast-break and altitude to their advantage. However, the ’85 squad is also adept at using this advantage and keeps the opposition in check.

The quarter ends with the ’85 squad up by 7 points and leading 33-26. Bill Hanzlick leads the way with 10 points as the star matchups at the point guard and small forward spots are a stalemate so far.

Feb 4, 2011; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets small forward Carmelo Anthony (15) walks in the tunnel of the Pepsi Center on his way back to the locker room after the Nugget lost to the Utah Jazz 113-106. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The second quarter sees the awakening of Mr. Big Shot

In the second quarter, English and Anthony are surprisingly keeping each other at bay. Neither have cracked double figures, but have recorded 2 steals each.

Suddenly, Billups starts heating up as he hits a 3 after Kenyon Martin sets a perfect screen on Lever for Billups to get open. The next time up Billups goes into the post and starts working Lever, a spot where Chauncey feasted on defenders in his career. Billups banks in a post-up hook shot and the game is suddenly tied.

The game that was shaping up to be a defensive battle is now starting to look like the scoring affair we expected.

Nene and Calvin Natt go back and forth with hook shot after hook shot until Alex English burns Anthony with an easy shot at the rim. However, Melo doesn’t back down as he hits a contested 3 at the buzzer to bring the ’09 squad within 4 at the half.

Nov 5, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Miami Heat forward center Chris Anderson (11) sits injured on the sideline during the first half of the game at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets on both squads showcase their benches in the third

The third quarter is the story of the ’09 squads’ bench. Anthony Carter dishes out 4 assists and 2 of them go to J.R. Smith contested 3-pointers that would normally have Coach Karl throwing a fit if they missed.

However, Doug Moe decides to use his bench as well and Danny Schayes gets Chris Anderson into foul trouble. With all the big men on the ’09 squad in foul trouble, the ’85 squad now has an unfair advantage in the paint.

With George Karl going small, Moe calls plays that have his team pound the ball down low and give Natt, Cooper, and Schayes all 10 points. The quarter ends with the ’85 squad up 12.

Dec 14, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; NBA former player Chauncey Billups smiles on the sideline before the game between the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The conclusion proves to be a thriler

Both teams have their stars play the entire fourth quarter. After Billups finds Balkman for a sick alley-oop, suddenly the quarter is the story of which team’s stars are the best.

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Anthony and English duel as they seemingly go right back at each other with a mid-range J of their own for 2 consecutive minutes. Suddenly, Fat Lever takes things into his own hands and drives to the lane for an and-1. Billups doesn’t back down as he stays effective by creating easy opportunities for his other teammates and racks up the assists rather than points. With a minute to go in the 4th, it is go time for both teams with the score tied.

With 45 seconds left, the ’09 squad finds Melo and lets him isolate English. This makes sense considering Anthony is the number one option of this team, but the one advantage English has on Melo is his defense. Melo tries to drive base-line but English strips the ball and takes it up court. Anthony can’t get back in time as English settles for a pull-up jumper on the fast-break. He banks it in with 12 seconds left giving the ’85 squad the lead.

The ’09 squad tries to get it back to Melo but he is double teamed by English and Natt and has to dish it to Smith for a tricky 3 at the horn. While Smith can knock down these shots, the pressure is too much as he comes up short and the 1985 squad takes the game.

Jan 6, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) dribbles the ball as Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) defends in the first quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Say what you will, but this would be an intriguing match-up

The final score is 102-100. English ends up being the player of the game with 25 points, 5 boards, and 3 steals.

Other notable performances are Melo with 19 points, and 7 rebounds, Billups with 15 points, and 10 assists, and Lever with 18 points and 5 assists.  Many players finished with double figures in this high scoring affair, but what killed the ’09 squad was foul trouble.

Without any rim protection, the ’85 squad was able to take advantage down low. Now, this is only my opinion, I can’t say for sure what would happen in this game. If you feel to disagree go ahead, but I even love the 2009 “Thuggets,” more than anyone probably, but the 1985 squad was a force.

English was Carmelo before Carmelo, and if healthy they may have been able to outlast the Lakers and give Boston a run for their money. The ’09 squad may have been able to beat Orlando in the Finals, but there defense is what killed them, something that was highly amplified in the 80’s.

Whether this is how it would unfold or not, one thing is for certain, it would be a great game.

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