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Behind The Name – Nuggets

Submitted by msumners on Thu, 2006-08-31 11:39

THE NICKNAMES
Behind The Name
Bobcats
Bucks
Bulls
Cavaliers
Celtics
Clippers
Grizzlies
Hawks
Heat
Hornets
 Jazz
Kings
Knicks
Lakers
Magic
Mavericks
Nets
Nuggets
Pacers
Pistons
 Raptors
Rockets
Sixers
Sonics
Spurs
Suns
Timberwolves
Trail Blazers
Warriors
Wizards
The franchise was known as the Denver Rockets when it entered the American Basketball Association in 1967. The same year, an NBA expansion franchise named the San Diego (now Houston) Rockets began play.

After seven seasons, and with entry into the NBA looming, Denver team officials renamed their club. Nuggets refers to the 19th century mining boom in Colorado, when people rushed to the area, hoping to make their fortunes by panning for gold and silver nuggets.

It also refers to a team from Denver that played one season (1949-50) in the NBA.