1987–88 Denver Nuggets season
NBA professional basketball team season
NBA professional basketball team season
The 1987–88 NBA season was the Nuggets' 12th season in the NBA and 21st season as a franchise.[1] During the offseason, the Nuggets acquired Michael Adams from the Washington Bullets. The Nuggets finished first place in the Midwest Division with a 54–28 record. Head coach Doug Moe was named Coach of The Year. Alex English and Fat Lever were both selected for the 1988 NBA All-Star Game. In the first round of the playoffs, they defeated the Seattle SuperSonics in five games, but lost to the 3rd-seeded Dallas Mavericks six games in the semifinals.
Draft picks
Roster
1987–88 Denver Nuggets roster
Players
|
Coaches
|
Pos.
|
No.
|
Name
|
Height
|
Weight
|
DOB
|
From
|
PG
|
14
|
Adams, Michael
|
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
|
162 lb (73 kg)
|
|
Boston College
|
SF
|
35
|
Brooks, Michael
|
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
|
220 lb (100 kg)
|
|
La Salle
|
C
|
42
|
Cooper, Wayne
|
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
|
220 lb (100 kg)
|
|
New Orleans
|
SG
|
23
|
Dunn, T.R.
|
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
|
190 lb (86 kg)
|
|
Alabama
|
SF
|
2
|
English, Alex
|
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
|
190 lb (86 kg)
|
|
South Carolina
|
PG
|
5
|
Evans, Mike
|
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
|
170 lb (77 kg)
|
|
Kansas State
|
SF
|
24
|
Hanzlik, Bill
|
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
|
185 lb (84 kg)
|
|
Notre Dame
|
SG
|
12
|
Lever, Fat
|
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
|
170 lb (77 kg)
|
|
Arizona State
|
SF
|
11
|
Martin, Maurice
|
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
|
200 lb (91 kg)
|
|
Saint Joseph's
|
PF
|
33
|
Natt, Calvin
|
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
|
220 lb (100 kg)
|
|
Louisiana–Monroe
|
C
|
41
|
Rasmussen, Blair
|
7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
|
250 lb (113 kg)
|
|
Oregon
|
PF
|
34
|
Schayes, Danny
|
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
|
235 lb (107 kg)
|
|
Syracuse
|
SF
|
30
|
Vincent, Jay
|
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
|
220 lb (100 kg)
|
|
Michigan State
|
|
- Head coach
- Assistant coach(es)
- Legend
- (DP) Unsigned draft pick
- (FA) Free agent
- (S) Suspended
- Injured
|
Regular season
Season standings
- z – clinched division title
- y – clinched division title
- x – clinched playoff spot
Record vs. opponents
1987-88 NBA Records
|
Team
|
ATL
|
BOS
|
CHI
|
CLE
|
DAL
|
DEN
|
DET
|
GSW
|
HOU
|
IND
|
LAC
|
LAL
|
MIL
|
NJN
|
NYK
|
PHI
|
PHO
|
POR
|
SAC
|
SAS
|
SEA
|
UTA
|
WAS
|
Atlanta
|
— |
2–4 |
2–3 |
5–1 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
2–4 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
4–2 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
3–3 |
5–0 |
3–3 |
6–0 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
3–3
|
Boston
|
4–2 |
— |
3–3 |
2–3 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
3–3 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
5–0 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
3–3 |
5–1 |
5–1 |
4–2 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
5–1
|
Chicago
|
3–2 |
3–3 |
— |
3–3 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
2–4 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
3–3 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
5–1 |
5–1 |
3–2 |
4–2 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
3–3
|
Cleveland
|
1–5 |
3–2 |
3–3 |
— |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–5 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
4–2 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
2–4 |
5–1 |
2–4 |
3–2 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
6–0
|
Dallas
|
0–2 |
0–2 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
— |
3–3 |
1–1 |
4–1 |
4–2 |
2–0 |
5–0 |
1–4 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
5–0 |
3–2 |
5–1 |
5–1 |
3–2 |
3–3 |
1–1
|
Denver
|
1–1 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
3–3 |
— |
1–1 |
4–1 |
4–2 |
1–1 |
5–0 |
3–2 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
3–2 |
2–3 |
4–2 |
5–1 |
4–1 |
2–4 |
2–0
|
Detroit
|
4–2 |
3–3 |
4–2 |
5–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
— |
2–0 |
1–1 |
3–3 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
4–2 |
5–1 |
4–2 |
4–1 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
3–2
|
Golden State
|
0–2 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
2–0 |
1–4 |
1–4 |
0–2 |
— |
0–5 |
0–2 |
3–3 |
0–6 |
0–2 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
2–4 |
1–5 |
2–3 |
3–2 |
1–5 |
1–4 |
0–2
|
Houston
|
1–1 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
2–4 |
2–4 |
1–1 |
5–0 |
— |
2–0 |
3–2 |
1–4 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
4–1 |
4–1 |
4–2 |
2–4 |
3–2 |
3–3 |
2–0
|
Indiana
|
2–4 |
0–5 |
3–3 |
2–4 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
3–3 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
— |
1–1 |
1–1 |
3–3 |
6–0 |
2–3 |
2–4 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
2–4
|
L.A. Clippers
|
0–2 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
0–5 |
0–5 |
1–1 |
3–3 |
2–3 |
1–1 |
— |
1–5 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
2–4 |
0–6 |
3–2 |
0–5 |
1–5 |
1–4 |
0–2
|
L.A. Lakers
|
2–0 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
4–1 |
2–3 |
2–0 |
6–0 |
4–1 |
1–1 |
5–1 |
— |
0–2 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
5–1 |
3–3 |
4–1 |
5–0 |
4–2 |
4–1 |
1–1
|
Milwaukee
|
3–3 |
3–3 |
1–5 |
4–2 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
2–4 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
3–3 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
— |
3–2 |
3–3 |
2–4 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
4–1
|
New Jersey
|
0–5 |
1–5 |
1–5 |
1–5 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–5 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
0–6 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
2–3 |
— |
3–3 |
2–4 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
0–6
|
New York
|
3–3 |
1–5 |
2–3 |
4–2 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
2–4 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
3–2 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
3–3 |
3–3 |
— |
3–3 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
3–3
|
Philadelphia
|
0–6 |
2–4 |
2–4 |
2–3 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–4 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
4–2 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
4–2 |
4–2 |
3–3 |
— |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
3–3
|
Phoenix
|
1–1 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
0–5 |
2–3 |
0–2 |
4–2 |
1–4 |
0–2 |
4–2 |
1–5 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
— |
0–6 |
3–2 |
2–3 |
2–4 |
2–3 |
0–2
|
Portland
|
2–0 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
2–3 |
3–2 |
1–1 |
5–1 |
1–4 |
2–0 |
6–0 |
3–3 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
6–0 |
— |
4–1 |
5–0 |
3–3 |
1–4 |
2–0
|
Sacramento
|
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–5 |
2–4 |
0–2 |
3–2 |
2–4 |
0–2 |
2–3 |
1–4 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
2–3 |
1–4 |
— |
3–3 |
1–4 |
1–5 |
0–2
|
San Antonio
|
0–2 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–5 |
1–5 |
1–1 |
2–3 |
4–2 |
0–2 |
5–0 |
0–5 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
3–2 |
0–5 |
3–3 |
— |
3–2 |
3–3 |
0–2
|
Seattle
|
0–2 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
2–3 |
1–4 |
1–1 |
5–1 |
2–3 |
1–1 |
5–1 |
2–4 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
4–2 |
3–3 |
4–1 |
2–3 |
— |
1–4 |
2–0
|
Utah
|
1–1 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
2–0 |
3–3 |
4–2 |
0–2 |
4–1 |
3–3 |
1–1 |
4–1 |
1–4 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
3–2 |
4–1 |
5–1 |
3–3 |
4–1 |
— |
2–0
|
Washington
|
3–3 |
1–5 |
3–3 |
0–6 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
2–3 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
4–2 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
1–4 |
6–0 |
3–3 |
3–3 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
—
|
Game log
Regular season
1987–88 game log Total: 54–28 (home: 35–6; road: 19–22)
|
November: 8–4 (home: 6–1; road: 2–3)
|
December: 8–7 (home: 5–1; road: 3–6)
Game |
Date |
Team |
Score |
High points |
High rebounds |
High assists |
Location Attendance |
Record
|
13
|
December 1
|
@ Houston
|
L 101–106
|
|
|
|
The Summit
|
8–5
|
14
|
December 2
|
Sacramento
|
W 147–120
|
|
|
|
McNichols Sports Arena
|
9–5
|
15
|
December 4, 1987 7:30 p.m. MST
|
Chicago
|
W 105–89
|
English (21)
|
Rasmussen (12)
|
Adams (7)
|
McNichols Sports Arena 17,022
|
10–5
|
16
|
December 5, 1987 6:30 p.m. MST
|
@ Dallas
|
L 96–109
|
English, Vincent (16)
|
English, Lever, Rasmussen (5)
|
Adams, English, Lever (5)
|
Reunion Arena 17,007
|
10–6
|
17
|
December 9, 1987 5:30 p.m. MST
|
@ Boston
|
W 124–119
|
Adams (31)
|
Lever (11)
|
Lever (13)
|
Boston Garden 14,890
|
11–6
|
18
|
December 10
|
@ New York
|
L 97–113
|
|
|
|
Madison Square Garden
|
11–7
|
19
|
December 12
|
@ Philadelphia
|
W 131–121
|
|
|
|
The Spectrum
|
12–7
|
20
|
December 16
|
Houston
|
W 132–113
|
|
|
|
McNichols Sports Arena
|
13–7
|
21
|
December 18
|
@ San Antonio
|
L 114–133
|
|
|
|
HemisFair Arena
|
13–8
|
22
|
December 19
|
@ Houston
|
W 121–117
|
|
|
|
The Summit
|
14–8
|
23
|
December 22
|
Phoenix
|
W 119–104
|
|
|
|
McNichols Sports Arena
|
15–8
|
24
|
December 23
|
@ Golden State
|
L 117–129
|
|
|
|
Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
|
15–9
|
25
|
December 26
|
Seattle
|
W 115–111
|
|
|
|
McNichols Sports Arena
|
16–9
|
26
|
December 28
|
@ Seattle
|
L 100–108
|
|
|
|
Seattle Center Coliseum
|
16–10
|
27
|
December 29, 1987 7:30 p.m. MST
|
Utah
|
L 97–98
|
Schayes (27)
|
English, Lever, Schayes (11)
|
Lever (6)
|
McNichols Sports Arena 10,621
|
16–11
|
|
January: 8–6 (home: 5–1; road: 3–5)
Game |
Date |
Team |
Score |
High points |
High rebounds |
High assists |
Location Attendance |
Record
|
28
|
January 1, 1988 6:00 p.m. MST
|
@ Washington
|
W 124–109
|
Vincent (33)
|
Schayes (7)
|
Adams (10)
|
Capital Centre 5,326
|
17–11
|
29
|
January 2, 1988 5:30 p.m. MST
|
@ Detroit
|
W 151–142
|
English (34)
|
Cooper (11)
|
Lever (13)
|
Pontiac Silverdome 23,746
|
18–11
|
30
|
January 4, 1988 5:30 p.m. MST
|
@ Cleveland
|
L 101–122
|
Evans (28)
|
Schayes (8)
|
English (7)
|
Richfield Coliseum 6,448
|
18–12
|
31
|
January 6
|
@ New Jersey
|
W 98–93
|
|
|
|
Brendan Byrne Arena
|
19–12
|
32
|
January 7, 1988 6:30 p.m. MST
|
@ Chicago
|
L 96–100
|
Lever (31)
|
Lever (16)
|
Lever (12)
|
Chicago Stadium 17,590
|
19–13
|
33
|
January 9, 1988 5:30 p.m. MST
|
@ Atlanta
|
L 105–113
|
English (27)
|
Rasmussen, Schayes (9)
|
Lever (6)
|
The Omni 14,986
|
19–14
|
34
|
January 11
|
@ Phoenix
|
L 115–127
|
|
|
|
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
|
19–15
|
35
|
January 14, 1988 7:30 p.m. MST
|
Atlanta
|
W 115–112
|
English (27)
|
Schayes (12)
|
English, Lever, Vincent (5)
|
McNichols Sports Arena 14,944
|
20–15
|
36
|
January 16
|
Golden State
|
W 115–94
|
|
|
|
McNichols Sports Arena
|
21–15
|
37
|
January 18, 1988 2:00 p.m. MST
|
Detroit
|
L 116–123
|
English (32)
|
Vincent (11)
|
English (7)
|
McNichols Sports Arena 13,004
|
21–16
|
38
|
January 21, 1988 7:30 p.m. MST
|
L.A. Lakers
|
W 115–113
|
Vincent (23)
|
Vincent (12)
|
Lever (8)
|
McNichols Sports Arena 17,022
|
22–16
|
39
|
January 22
|
@ Portland
|
L 106–126
|
|
|
|
Memorial Coliseum
|
22–17
|
40
|
January 28, 1988 7:30 p.m. MST
|
Milwaukee
|
W 122–113
|
English (24)
|
Rasmussen (8)
|
Adams, English, Lever (8)
|
McNichols Sports Arena 13,911
|
23–17
|
41
|
January 30
|
L.A. Clippers
|
W 124–106
|
|
|
|
McNichols Sports Arena
|
24–17
|
|
February: 9–4 (home: 7–1; road: 2–3)
Game |
Date |
Team |
Score |
High points |
High rebounds |
High assists |
Location Attendance |
Record
|
42
|
February 3, 1988 7:30 p.m. MST
|
Dallas
|
W 115–105
|
English (26)
|
Lever (9)
|
Adams (9)
|
McNichols Sports Arena 10,667
|
25–17
|
43
|
February 4
|
@ San Antonio
|
W 129–123
|
|
|
|
HemisFair Arena
|
26–17
|
All-Star Break
|
44
|
February 9
|
San Antonio
|
W 136-108
|
|
|
|
McNichols Sports Arena
|
27–17
|
45
|
February 11, 1988 7:30 p.m. MST
|
L.A. Lakers
|
L 105–120
|
English (31)
|
Rasmussenn (9)
|
Adams (8)
|
McNichols Sports Arena 17,022
|
27–18
|
46
|
February 12
|
@ Portland
|
L 105–120
|
|
|
|
Memorial Coliseum
|
27–19
|
47
|
February 14, 1988 7:30 p.m. MST
|
Utah
|
W 107–93
|
English (25)
|
Lever (15)
|
Lever (8)
|
McNichols Sports Arena 9,971
|
28–19
|
48
|
February 17, 1988 7:30 p.m. MST
|
Boston
|
W 138–125
|
English (37)
|
Rasmussen (11)
|
English (11)
|
McNichols Sports Arena 17,022
|
29–19
|
49
|
February 20
|
@ Phoenix
|
L 108–128
|
|
|
|
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
|
29–20
|
50
|
February 22, 1988 7:30 p.m. MST
|
Washington
|
W 100–87
|
Schayes (21)
|
Lever (15)
|
English (8)
|
McNichols Sports Arena 10,553
|
30–20
|
51
|
February 24, 1988 7:30 p.m. MST
|
@ Utah
|
W 123–120
|
English, Rasmussen (35)
|
Lever (10)
|
Lever (16)
|
Salt Palace 12,444
|
31–20
|
52
|
February 26
|
Philadelphia
|
W 120–104
|
|
|
|
McNichols Sports Arena
|
32–20
|
53
|
February 28
|
New York
|
W 109–100
|
|
|
|
McNichols Sports Arena
|
33–20
|
54
|
February 29, 1988 6:30 p.m. MST
|
@ Dallas
|
L 96–123
|
Schayes (21)
|
Lever (8)
|
Adams (8)
|
Reunion Arena 17,007
|
33–21
|
|
March: 12–5 (home: 6–2; road: 6–3)
Game |
Date |
Team |
Score |
High points |
High rebounds |
High assists |
Location Attendance |
Record
|
55
|
March 2, 1988 7:30 p.m. MST
|
Cleveland
|
W 99–81
|
Adams (23)
|
Lever (20)
|
Lever (12)
|
McNichols Sports Arena 9,178
|
34–21
|
56
|
March 4
|
Phoenix
|
W 116–108
|
|
|
|
McNichols Sports Arena
|
35–21
|
57
|
March 5
|
@ Seattle
|
W 115–102
|
|
|
|
Seattle Center Coliseum
|
36–21
|
58
|
March 7
|
@ Sacramento
|
L 114–116 (OT)
|
|
|
|
ARCO Arena
|
36–22
|
59
|
March 8
|
Houston
|
L 103–113
|
|
|
|
McNichols Sports Arena
|
36–23
|
60
|
March 11, 1988 7:00 p.m. MST
|
@ Milwaukee
|
L 93–132
|
Rasmussen (21)
|
Rasmussen (8)
|
Adams (7)
|
MECCA Arena 11,052
|
36–24
|
61
|
March 13
|
@ Indiana
|
W 108–100
|
|
|
|
Market Square Arena
|
37–24
|
62
|
March 14, 1988 7:30 p.m. MST
|
Utah
|
L 115–116
|
English (27)
|
Lever (17)
|
English (8)
|
McNichols Sports Arena 10,172
|
37–25
|
63
|
March 17
|
Portland
|
W 116–115 (OT)
|
|
|
|
McNichols Sports Arena
|
38–25
|
64
|
March 18, 1988 7:30 p.m. MST
|
@ Utah
|
L 111–118
|
Adams (22)
|
Lever, Rasmussen (11)
|
Lever (9)
|
Salt Palace 12,444
|
38–26
|
65
|
March 20
|
Seattle
|
W 108–95
|
|
|
|
McNichols Sports Arena
|
39–26
|
66
|
March 22
|
San Antonio
|
W 136–109
|
|
|
|
McNichols Sports Arena
|
40–26
|
67
|
March 23
|
@ L.A. Clippers
|
W 118–108
|
|
|
|
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
|
41–26
|
68
|
March 25, 1988 8:30 p.m. MST
|
@ L.A. Lakers
|
W 120–119
|
English (34)
|
Schayes (9)
|
Lever (11)
|
The Forum 17,505
|
42–26
|
69
|
March 26
|
@ Golden State
|
W 131–108
|
|
|
|
Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
|
43–26
|
70
|
March 29
|
@ Sacramento
|
W 107–103
|
|
|
|
ARCO Arena
|
44–26
|
71
|
March 31
|
Sacramento
|
W 121–111
|
|
|
|
McNichols Sports Arena
|
45–26
|
|
April: 9–2 (home: 6–0; road: 3–2)
|
1987–88 schedule
|
Playoffs
1988 playoff game log
|
First Round: 3–2 (home: 2–1; road: 1–1)
|
Western Conference Semifinals: 2–4 (home: 1–2; road: 1–2)
Game |
Date |
Team |
Score |
High points |
High rebounds |
High assists |
Location Attendance |
Series
|
1
|
May 10, 1988 7:30 p.m. MDT
|
Dallas
|
W 126–115
|
Lever (30)
|
Lever (11)
|
English, Lever (8)
|
McNichols Sports Arena 17,022
|
1–0
|
2
|
May 12, 1988 8:00 p.m. MDT
|
Dallas
|
L 108–112
|
English, Lever (22)
|
Schayes (12)
|
Adams (7)
|
McNichols Sports Arena 17,022
|
1–1
|
3
|
May 14, 1988 1:30 p.m. MDT
|
@ Dallas
|
W 107–105
|
English (23)
|
Lever (11)
|
Lever (12)
|
Reunion Arena 17,007
|
2–1
|
4
|
May 15, 1988 6:00 p.m. MDT
|
@ Dallas
|
L 103–124
|
English (24)
|
Cooper (10)
|
Adams (9)
|
Reunion Arena 17,007
|
2–2
|
5
|
May 17, 1988 8:00 p.m. MDT
|
Dallas
|
L 106–110
|
Schayes (33)
|
Schayes (13)
|
Adams, English (6)
|
McNichols Sports Arena 17,022
|
2–3
|
6
|
May 19, 1988 8:00 p.m. MDT
|
@ Dallas
|
L 95–108
|
English (34)
|
Schayes (9)
|
Adams (8)
|
Reunion Arena 17,007
|
2–4
|
|
1988 schedule
|
Player statistics
Season
Player
|
GP
|
GS
|
MPG
|
FG%
|
3FG%
|
FT%
|
RPG
|
APG
|
SPG
|
BPG
|
PPG
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Playoffs
Player
|
GP
|
GS
|
MPG
|
FG%
|
3FG%
|
FT%
|
RPG
|
APG
|
SPG
|
BPG
|
PPG
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards and records
Transactions
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References
See also
|
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| Franchise | |
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Arenas | |
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Personnel | |
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G League affiliate | |
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Retired numbers | |
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NBA championships | |
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Rivalries | |
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Culture and lore | |
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| 1960s | |
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1970s | |
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1980s | |
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1990s | |
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2000s | |
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2010s | |
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2020s | |
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