1977–78 Denver Nuggets season

NBA professional basketball team season

NBA professional basketball team season

1977–78 Denver Nuggets season

Division champions

Head coach| Larry Brown
Arena| McNichols Sports Arena
Results
Record| 48-34 (.585)
Place| Division: 1st (Midwest)
Conference: 2nd (Western)
Playoff finish| West Conference finals
(lost to SuperSonics 2–4)

* * *

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television| KWGN-TV
Radio| KOA
| < 1976–77  | 1978–79 >

|

The 1977–78 NBA season was the Nuggets' 2nd season in the NBA and 11th season as a franchise.[1]

In the playoffs, the Nuggets defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in seven games in the Semifinals, winning their first playoff series in the NBA, before losing to the Seattle SuperSonics in six games in the conference finals.

## Draft picks

[edit]

Main article: 1977 NBA draft

Round  | Pick  | Player  | Position  | Nationality  | School/Club Team

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1 | 9 | Tom LaGarde | C |  United States | North Carolina
1 | 21 | Anthony Roberts | SF |  United States | Oral Roberts
3 | 65 | Robert Smith | PG |  United States | Nevada-Las Vegas
5 | 109 | John Billups |  |  United States | Mississippi
6 | 130 | Jim Town |  |  United States | Massachusetts Amherst
7 | 150 | Willie High |  |  United States | Alabama State
8 | 169 | Len Saunders |  |  United States | Florida

## Roster

[edit]

1977–78 Denver Nuggets roster  Players  | Coaches

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| Pos. | No. | Name  | Height  | Weight  | DOB  | From

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PG | 20 | Calvin, Mack | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)  | 165 lb (75 kg)  | 1947–07–27  | USC
F | 55 | Cook, Norm | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)  | 210 lb (95 kg)  |  | Kansas
F | 30 | Dorsey, Jacky | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)  | 230 lb (104 kg)  |  | Georgia
PF | 31 | Ellis, Bo | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)  | 197 lb (89 kg)  |  | Marquette
F/C | 30 | Hillman, Darnell | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)  | 215 lb (98 kg)  |  | San José State
C | 44 | Issel, Dan | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)  | 235 lb (107 kg)  |  | Kentucky
PF | 24 | Jones, Bobby | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)  | 210 lb (95 kg)  |  | North Carolina
C | 45 | LaGarde, Tom | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)  | 220 lb (100 kg)  |  | North Carolina
PG | 15 | Price, Jim | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)  | 195 lb (88 kg)  |  | Louisville
SF | 21 | Roberts, Anthony | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)  | 185 lb (84 kg)  |  | Oral Roberts
G/F | 10 | Simpson, Ralph | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)  | 200 lb (91 kg)  |  | Michigan State
PG | 5 | Smith, Robert | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)  | 165 lb (75 kg)  |  | UNLV
PG | 14 | Taylor, Brian | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)  | 185 lb (84 kg)  |  | Princeton
G/F | 33 | Thompson, David | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)  | 195 lb (88 kg)  |  | NC State
G/F | 32 | Wilkerson, Bob | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)  | 195 lb (88 kg)  |  | Indiana

Head coach

* Larry Brown

Assistant coach(es)

* Donnie Walsh

* * *

Legend

* (DP) Unsigned draft pick
* (FA) Free agent
* (S) Suspended
* Injured

## Regular season

[edit]

### Season standings

[edit]

Midwest Division

* v
* t
* e

|  W  |  L  |  PCT  |  GB  |  Home  |  Road  |  Div

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y-Denver Nuggets | 48 | 34 | .585 | – | 33–8 | 15–26 | 11–9
x-Milwaukee Bucks | 44 | 38 | .537 | 4 | 28–13 | 16–25 | 14–6
Chicago Bulls | 40 | 42 | .488 | 8 | 29–12 | 11–30 | 8–12
Detroit Pistons | 38 | 44 | .463 | 10 | 24–17 | 14–27 | 8–12
Indiana Pacers | 31 | 51 | .378 | 17 | 21–20 | 10–31 | 8–12
Kansas City Kings | 31 | 51 | .378 | 17 | 22–19 | 9–32 | 11–9
#  |

Western Conference

* v
* t
* e

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Team  |  W  |  L  |  PCT  |  GB
1  | z-Portland Trail Blazers | 58 | 24 | .707 | –
2  | y-Denver Nuggets | 48 | 34 | .585 | 10
3  | x-Phoenix Suns | 49 | 33 | .598 | 9
4  | x-Seattle SuperSonics | 47 | 35 | .573 | 11
5  | x-Los Angeles Lakers | 45 | 37 | .549 | 13
6  | x-Milwaukee Bucks | 44 | 38 | .537 | 14
7  | Golden State Warriors | 43 | 39 | .524 | 15
8  | Chicago Bulls | 40 | 42 | .488 | 18
9  | Detroit Pistons | 38 | 44 | .463 | 20
10  | Indiana Pacers | 31 | 51 | .378 | 27
11  | Kansas City Kings | 31 | 51 | .378 | 27

z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

### Record vs. opponents

[edit]

1977–78 NBA Records

Team  | ATL  | BOS  | BUF  | CHI  | CLE  | DEN  | DET  | GSW  | HOU  | IND  | KCK  | LAL  | MIL  | NJN  | NOJ  | NYK  | PHI  | PHO  | POR  | SAS  | SEA  | WAS
Atlanta | — | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 1–3
Boston | 2–2 | — | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3
Buffalo | 1–3 | 1–3 | — | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3
Chicago | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | — | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–1
Cleveland | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | — | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–2
Denver  | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | — | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 3–1
Detroit | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | — | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–0 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2
Golden State | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | — | 2–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2
Houston | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 1–2 | — | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–3
Indiana | 1–3 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | — | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1
Kansas City | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | — | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–2
Los Angeles | 1–3 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | — | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2
Milwaukee | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–3 | — | 3–1 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1
New Jersey | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | — | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–2
New Orleans | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 4–0 | — | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–4
New York | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | — | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–2
Philadelphia | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | — | 2–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2
Phoenix | 1–3 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–2 | — | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2
Portland | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | — | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–1
San Antonio | 3–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | — | 2–2 | 2–2
Seattle | 1–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | — | 1–3
Washington | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | —

## Game log

[edit]

### Regular season

[edit]

1977–78 game log
Total: 48–34 (home: 33–8; road: 15–26)

October: 4–2 (home: 4–0; road: 0–2)

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location
Attendance | Record

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November: 10–6 (home: 6–0; road: 4–6)

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location
Attendance | Record

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18  | November 23 | @ Atlanta | L 104–105 |  |  |  | The Omni | 12–6

December: 7–5 (home: 5–1; road: 2–4)

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location
Attendance | Record

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25  | December 7 | Atlanta | W 123–116 |  |  |  | McNichols Sports Arena | 17–8
34  | December 30 | @ Atlanta | W 106–104 |  |  |  | The Omni | 21–13

January: 10–4 (home: 6–2; road: 4–2)

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location
Attendance | Record

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February: 8–6 (home: 6–1; road: 2–5)

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location
Attendance | Record

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All-Star Break
51  | February 8 | Atlanta | W 114–109 |  |  |  | McNichols Sports Arena | 33–18

March: 5–9 (home: 4–4; road: 1–5)

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location
Attendance | Record

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April: 4–2 (home: 2–0; road: 2–2)

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location
Attendance | Record

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1977–78 schedule

### Playoffs

[edit]

1978 playoff game log

Western Conference Semifinals: 4–3 (home: 3–1; road: 1–2)

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location
Attendance | Series

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1  | April 18  | Milwaukee | W 119–103 | David Thompson (27)  | Dan Issel (12)  | David Thompson (6)  | McNichols Sports Arena
17,297  | 1–0
2  | April 21  | Milwaukee | W 127–111 | Dan Issel (22)  | Dan Issel (14)  | Issel, Calvin (6)  | McNichols Sports Arena
17,838  | 2–0
3  | April 23  | @ Milwaukee | L 112–143 | three players tied (16)  | Anthony Roberts (8)  | David Thompson (5)  | MECCA Arena
10,938  | 2–1
4  | April 25  | @ Milwaukee | W 118–104 | David Thompson (34)  | Dan Issel (14)  | Wilkerson, Sampson (5)  | MECCA Arena
10,938  | 3–1
5  | April 28  | Milwaukee | L 112–117 | Bobby Jones (25)  | Dan Issel (15)  | Bob Wilkerson (8)  | McNichols Sports Arena
17,838  | 3–2
6  | April 30  | @ Milwaukee | L 91–119 | David Thompson (28)  | Bobby Jones (10)  | Bob Wilkerson (6)  | MECCA Arena
10,938  | 3–3
7  | May 3  | Milwaukee | W 116–110 | David Thompson (37)  | Bob Wilkerson (12)  | David Thompson (6)  | McNichols Sports Arena
17,838  | 4–3

Western Conference Finals: 2–4 (home: 2–1; road: 0–3)

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location
Attendance | Series

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1  | May 5  | Seattle | W 116–107 | Dan Issel (25)  | Issel, Hillman (11)  | Bob Wilkerson (10)  | McNichols Sports Arena
17,387  | 1–0
2  | May 7  | Seattle | L 111–121 | Dan Issel (29)  | Dan Issel (14)  | Ralph Sampson (7)  | McNichols Sports Arena
17,838  | 1–1
3  | May 10  | @ Seattle | L 91–105 | David Thompson (21)  | Anthony Roberts (8)  | Jones, Webster (3)  | Seattle Center Coliseum
14,098  | 1–2
4  | May 12  | @ Seattle | L 94–100 | Dan Issel (27)  | Darnell Hillman (11)  | Bob Wilkerson (8)  | Seattle Center Coliseum
14,098  | 1–3
5  | May 14  | Seattle | W 123–114 | David Thompson (35)  | Bobby Jones (11)  | Bob Wilkerson (10)  | McNichols Sports Arena
17,006  | 2–3
6  | May 17  | @ Seattle | L 108–123 | David Thompson (21)  | Anthony Roberts (16)  | Bob Wilkerson (8)  | Seattle Center Coliseum
14,098  | 2–4

1978 schedule

## Awards and records

[edit]

* David Thompson, All-NBA First Team
* Bobby Jones, NBA All-Defensive First Team

## References

[edit]

1. ^ 1977–78 Denver Nuggets

* v
* t
* e

1977–78 NBA season by team

* 1977 NBA draft
* All-Star Game
* Playoffs
* Finals
* Transactions

Eastern|

| Atlantic|

* Boston
* Buffalo
* New Jersey
* New York
* Philadelphia

|

Central|

* Atlanta
* Cleveland
* Houston
* New Orleans
* San Antonio
* Washington

Western|

| Midwest|

* Chicago
* Denver
* Detroit
* Indiana
* Kansas City
* Milwaukee

|

Pacific|

* Golden State
* Los Angeles
* Phoenix
* Portland
* Seattle

* v
* t
* e

Denver Nuggets seasons

* Franchise
* Seasons

1960s|

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1967–68 | 1968–69

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1970s|

| 1969–70 | 1970–71 | 1971–72 | 1972–73 | 1973–74 | 1974–75 | 1975–76 | 1976–77 | 1977–78 | 1978–79

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1980s|

| 1979–80 | 1980–81 | 1981–82 | 1982–83 | 1983–84 | 1984–85 | 1985–86 | 1986–87 | 1987–88 | 1988–89

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1990s|

| 1989–90 | 1990–91 | 1991–92 | 1992–93 | 1993–94 | 1994–95 | 1995–96 | 1996–97 | 1997–98 | 1998–99

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2000s|

| 1999–00 | 2000–01 | 2001–02 | 2002–03 | 2003–04 | 2004–05 | 2005–06 | 2006–07 | 2007–08 | 2008–09

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2010s|

| 2009–10 | 2010–11 | 2011–12 | 2012–13 | 2013–14 | 2014–15 | 2015–16 | 2016–17 | 2017–18 | 2018–19

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2020s|

| 2019–20 | 2020–21 | 2021–22 | 2022–23 | 2023–24 | 2024–25 |  |  |  |

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Bold indicates NBA Finals victory
*[Pos.]: Position
*[No.]: Number
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[ W ]: Games won
*[ L ]: Games lost
*[ PCT ]: Winning percentage
*[ GB ]: Games behind
*[ Home ]: Home record
*[ Road ]: Road record
*[ Div ]: Division record