retirement

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You captured our attention from the time you were in middle school and you’ve held it ever since.  In a state that hasn’t seen a lot of national basketball success, you were the exception.   We’ve always been proud to claim you as our own, and you’ve always shown that Denver pride, no matter where your journey took you.

We cheered for you all throughout your career at George Washington High School.  We couldn’t get enough.  A three-time Colorado Mr. Basketball, two-time Colorado Player of the Year, McDonald’s All-American, and two-time State Champion with the Patriots? Yeah – we were hooked.   Despite all of those accolades, you still played the game ‘the right way’ – a phrase that would follow you throughout your career, and one that everyone should aspire to.  We thank you for that.

We were ecstatic when you chose to stay home and play for our Colorado Buffaloes over the likes of Kansas, Georgia Tech, and all the other high-profile programs that would have given anything for you to don their school colors.  Very few top recruits would have passed up the traditions of these powerhouses in favor of a sub .500 program with no winning track record, but you did. During your two seasons at CU, you gave this state and its fans something cheer about during March Madness.  You followed your heart, and we thank you for that.

We were thrilled for you when the Boston Celtics took you third overall in the 1997 NBA Draft.  Our guy, the King of Park Hill, selected in the lottery – talk about awesome! The years of hard work that you put in to your craft had finally paid off.  It had to be one of the proudest moments of your professional life.  It was a moment of pride for sports fans across Colorado as well, and we thank you for letting us share that moment with you.

We hated to see you struggle early in your career, but we still believed in you.  We were jumping for joy when you were traded to the Nuggets in 1999, only to be equally upset a year later when you were traded to Orlando.  Like so many things in this world, it’s all about timing, and it just wasn’t your time to come home yet.  You had other things to do.

We watched from afar, as you took the Detroit Pistons to six straight Eastern Conference championships, two NBA Finals, and one NBA Championship.  We celebrated your selection as the Finals MVP.  We watched you become an All-Star and win the prestigious J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award.  We watched you become the leader that earned the respect of your teammates, your opponents, and your coaches.

You were one of the dominant point guards in the league.  You could make any shot at any time.  You could finish at the rim or set up a teammate for an easy basket.  You were automatic from the free throw line and always wanted to take the big shot.  You earned the name Mr. Big Shot for a reason, after all.  Yet for someone who could control the game as you could, we never saw a dark side.  We never saw you taunting an opponent or screaming at the cameras while showing up another player.  We saw humility, pride in your play, and a will to work hard to improve and to win.  We saw a leader who was determined to do it the right way.  Thank you for that.

You reached the pinnacle of success, and you taught millions of kids and adults alike the true meaning of hard work, humility and perseverance.  From NBA bust to NBA Champion, you never gave up that drive the got you to the league in the first place.

Our over-the-top enthusiasm took on a new level when you were finally traded back to the Nuggets in 2008.  We all went nuts when you were introduced wearing that legendary No. 7 jersey!

With a balanced roster, you took us to what would be your seventh consecutive NBA Conference Finals (our first since 1985), absolutely crushing opponents along the way.  You single-handedly transformed a team that was simply fun to watch into a team that we could actually be proud of - and you did it nearly overnight.  We thank you for that.

For nearly two decades, we enjoyed the privilege of watching you play.  You entertained us with deep playoff runs, an NBA championship, record-setting performances and one big shot after another.  Most impressively, you did it all with class.  It’s an honor to be able to claim you as one of our own.  While your major accomplishments took place with the Pistons, you’ve always done Denver proud and you’ll always be a Nugget to us.  You’ve given us more than we ever deserved as fans, and we wish you well in retirement.  You deserve it.

As for the last 17 years - thank you, Mr. Big Shot.

thank-you-mr-big-shot

Thank you, Mr. Big Shot

On the first day of summer, the Denver Nuggets helped longtime athletic trainer Jim Gillen ride off into the sunset.

Gillen, one of the longest tenured members of the organization, was the guest of honor during a party at Brooklyn’s on Saturday. He joined the Nuggets in 1991 and retired after 23 seasons with the team.

“I timed it out to where I was ready to retire and I was able to do it on my own terms,” he said. “It’s been nothing but terrific.”

Among those who attended the retirement party were Denver Broncos athletic trainer Steve Antonopulos and former Cleveland Cavaliers athletic trainer Max Benton. Gillen and Antonopulos worked together with the Broncos, while Benton was Gillen’s assistant from 1995-2001.

Nuggets president Josh Kroenke and general manager/executive vice president of basketball operations Tim Connelly also were in attendance, along with former and current members of Denver’s coaching staff. Gillen’s wife Terri and Nuggets vice president of basketball administration Lisa Johnson organized the event.

“It’s incredible how many people actually came,” Gillen said said. “I have friends here who were my closest friends in the little town I grew up in Kansas. All my former assistants were here. It’s amazing the network you have of people after all these years.”

Gillen leaves a lasting legacy in Denver. He never missed a game or a practice in his 23 seasons, and he supported Colorado high schools by establishing the Excellence in Athletic Training awards in 2003.

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Nuggets pay final tribute to longtime athletic trainer Jim Gillen

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