The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/web/20141204042700/http://www.nba.com/nuggets/december-to-remember

December to Remember - Nuggets/Rockets join the ABA

Nuggets in the ABA

The history of the Denver Nuggets begins in the 1960’s, long before they were the Nuggets at all. The team was founded in 1967 as the Denver Larks, a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association (ABA). The name was changed to the Denver Rockets before the inaugural season and remained that way until 1974 when they were dubbed the Nuggets.

Denver had a record of 413-331 (.555) over nine seasons in the ABA. Numerous legendary players suited up for Denver in the ABA, including David Thompson, Byron Beck, Dan Issel, Spencer Haywood and Bobby Jones. Their finest year was 1976, when the Nuggets went 60-24 (.714) before falling to Dr. J and the Nets in the Finals. That was the ABA’s last season before the merger that sent the Indiana Pacers, New York Nets, San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets into the NBA.