1978–79 Denver Nuggets season
Nuggets' 3rd season in the NBA
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The 1978–79 Denver Nuggets season was the Nuggets' 3rd season in the NBA and 12th season as a franchise.[1]
Record47–35 (.573)
| 1978–79 Denver Nuggets season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Larry Brown Donnie Walsh |
| Arena | McNichols Sports Arena |
| Results | |
| Record | 47–35 (.573) |
| Place | Division: 2nd (Midwest) Conference: 4th (Western) |
| Playoff finish | West First Round (lost to Lakers 1–2) |
Stats at Basketball Reference | |
| Local media | |
| Television | KWGN-TV |
| Radio | KOA |
In the playoffs, the Nuggets lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in three games in the First Round.
The Nuggets would not make the playoffs again until 1982.
Draft picks
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | School/Club team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17 | Rod Griffin | PF |  United States | Wake Forest |
| 1 | 21 | Mike Evans | PG | United States | Kansas State |
| 3 | 46 | Hollis Copeland | SF | United States | Rutgers |
| 5 | 106 | Michael Edwards | United States | Texas-Pan American | |
| 6 | 127 | Robert Heard | United States | Columbus State | |
| 7 | 148 | Jack Gilloon | United States | South Carolina | |
| 8 | 166 | Larry Vaculik | United States | Colorado | |
| 9 | 183 | Tom Schneeburger | United States | Air Force | |
| 10 | 198 | Phil Taylor | United States | Arizona |
Roster
| Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Head coach
Legend
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Regular season
Season standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| y-Kansas City Kings | 48 | 34 | .585 | – | 32–9 | 16–25 | 12–4 |
| x-Denver Nuggets | 47 | 35 | .573 | 1 | 29–12 | 18–23 | 8–8 |
| Indiana Pacers | 38 | 44 | .463 | 10 | 25–16 | 13–28 | 6–10 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 38 | 44 | .463 | 10 | 28–13 | 10–31 | 9–7 |
| Chicago Bulls | 31 | 51 | .378 | 17 | 19–22 | 12–29 | 5–11 |
| # | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | |
| 1 | z-Seattle SuperSonics | 52 | 30 | .634 | – |
| 2 | y-Kansas City Kings | 48 | 34 | .585 | 4 |
| 3 | x-Phoenix Suns | 50 | 32 | .610 | 2 |
| 4 | x-Denver Nuggets | 47 | 35 | .573 | 5 |
| 5 | x-Los Angeles Lakers | 47 | 35 | .573 | 5 |
| 6 | x-Portland Trail Blazers | 45 | 37 | .549 | 7 |
| 7 | San Diego Clippers | 43 | 39 | .524 | 9 |
| 8 | Indiana Pacers | 38 | 44 | .463 | 14 |
| 9 | Milwaukee Bucks | 38 | 44 | .463 | 14 |
| 10 | Golden State Warriors | 38 | 44 | .463 | 14 |
| 11 | Chicago Bulls | 31 | 51 | .378 | 21 |
- z - clinched division title
- y - clinched division title
- x - clinched playoff spot
Game log
Regular season
| 1978–79 game log Total: 47–35 (home: 29–12; road: 18–23) | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
November: 4–10 (home: 2–3; road: 2–7)
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January: 11–6 (home: 7–2; road: 4–4)
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February: 7–6 (home: 5–2; road: 2–4)
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March: 9–2 (home: 6–2; road: 3–0)
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April: 3–2 (home: 0–0; road: 3–2)
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| 1978–79 schedule | ||||||||||||||||||
Playoffs
| 1979 playoff game log | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Western Conference First Round: 1–2 (home: 1–1; road: 0–1)
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| 1979 schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||