Fansided

Hardwood Paroxysm’s favorite historical NBA teams

By HP Basketball Network

Apr 8, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; TNT broadcaster Chris Webber during the NBA game between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; TNT broadcaster Chris Webber during the NBA game between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Long Live Doug Moe’s Nuggets

Jan 31, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Brian Shaw speaks to reporters after the game against the Toronto Raptors at Pepsi Center. The Raptors won 100-90. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Brian Shaw speaks to reporters after the game against the Toronto Raptors at Pepsi Center. The Raptors won 100-90. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

By Jeremy Conlin (@jeremy_conlin)

I was not alive for the Doug Moe Nuggets.

I should have been.

The 1980s Nuggets are the greatest basketball team in history.

You might think that Russell’s Celtics, Jordan’s Bulls, Duncan’s Spurs, or the Red Holzman Knicks deserve that honor. You might even argue that Bird’s Celtics and Magic’s Lakers, the teams that, you know, actually won the titles during the Doug Moe hey-day would be better. But you would be wrong.

Doug Moe took over at the helm in Denver during the 1980-1981 season. That season, the Nuggets were first in scoring offense by a stunning margin – the team that was 2nd was actually closer to last place than to first. Where did they finish in scoring defense? Dead last.

For the next nine seasons, the Nuggets never dropped lower than 4th place in scoring offense, and never improved better than 4th-to-last place in scoring defense. They played at the fastest pace in the league every year from 1981 through 1989. In 1990, they dropped all the way down to 2nd.

They played basketball the way it was meant to be played. Fast. With little caution.

I’ve encountered a few NBA big-wigs during my time as a blogger. I’ve met Mark Cuban and Daryl Morey and Mike Zarren and had semi-interesting conversations with them and didn’t once get star-struck. But two years ago at the Sloan Analytics Conference, Kiki Vandeweghe sat down next to me at one of the panels. It was the perfect opportunity to talk about Doug Moe and my favorite team ever. Did I turn to Kiki and tell him I was a big fan?

No. I stared straight ahead and almost had a panic attack. I’m not sure I even took a breath for the next hour and it took about 20 minutes after the panel ended and Vandeweghe stood up and left before I was able to move. The only time I’ve ever been totally star-struck in my life. And it was Kiki Vandeweghe.

Like I said, I was not alive for the Doug Moe Nuggets. But I should have been.

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