Head coach Bernie Bickerstaff Record 35–47 (.427) | Arena McNichols Sports Arena Playoff finish DNQ | |
Place Division: 4th (Midwest)
Conference: 9th (Western) Television Prime Sports Rocky Mountain, KWGN | ||
The 1995–96 NBA season was the Nuggets' 20th season in the National Basketball Association, and 29th season as a franchise. During the offseason, the Nuggets acquired rookie Antonio McDyess from the Los Angeles Clippers and Don MacLean from the Washington Bullets. However, they got off to a horrible start losing eight of their first nine games, as LaPhonso Ellis missed the first 37 games of the season due to injury.
Along the way, the Nuggets found themselves in the middle of an ugly controversy as Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf refused to stand for the National Anthem, protesting what he felt was the country's poor treatment to Muslims in the world. After a one-game suspension, Abdul-Rauf agreed to stand and pray during the anthem. However, the damage was done, and his reputation could not be repaired as he was the consistent target of boos, as fans rejected his extreme Religious views before missing the rest of the season due to injury. The Nuggets finished fourth in the Midwest Division with a 35–47 record. McDyess was named to the All-Rookie First Team, and Dikembe Mutombo was selected for the 1996 NBA All-Star Game.
Following the season, Abdul-Rauf was traded to the Sacramento Kings, Mutombo signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Hawks, Jalen Rose and Reggie Williams were both dealt to the Indiana Pacers, and MacLean was sent to the Philadelphia 76ers.