1994–95 Denver Nuggets season | |
---|---|
Jalen Rose's rookie season | |
Head coach | Dan Issel, Gene Littles and Bernie Bickerstaff |
Arena | McNichols Sports Arena |
Results | |
Record | 41–41 (.500) |
Place |
Division: 4th (Midwest) Conference: 8th (Western) |
Playoff finish |
West First Round (eliminated 0-3) |
Stats @ Basketball-Reference.com |
|
Local media | |
Television | Prime Sports Rocky Mountain, KTVD |
Radio | KOA |
The 1994–95 NBA season was the Nuggets' 19th season in the National Basketball Association, and 28th season as a franchise. During the offseason, the Nuggets signed free agent Dale Ellis. Coming off their improbable playoff run, the Nuggets were bitten by the injury bug, losing LaPhonso Ellis for all but six games due to a preseason knee injury. Despite winning five of their first six games, head coach Dan Issel resigned with the team holding an 18–16 record. Under his assistant Gene Littles, the team struggled losing 10 of 13 games as Littles was replaced with General Manager Bernie Bickerstaff.
Under Bickerstaff, the Nuggets would recover making a late push winning 20 of their final 32 games, sneaking into the playoffs by defeating the Sacramento Kings for the #8 seed in the Western Conference in the final game of the season, 102–89 at McNichols Sports Arena. The Nuggets finished fourth in the Midwest Division with a 41–41 record. Dikembe Mutombo captured his first Defensive Player of The Year award, and was selected for the 1995 NBA All-Star Game.
However, in the first round of the playoffs, the Nuggets were swept by the San Antonio Spurs in three straight games. This would be their final playoff appearance until 2004. Following the season, second-year forward Rodney Rogers and Brian Williams were both traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, and Robert Pack was dealt to the Washington Bullets.