2004–05 Denver Nuggets season
The 2004–05 NBA season was the 29th season for the Denver Nuggets in the National Basketball Association, and their 38th season as a franchise. During the offseason, the Nuggets acquired Kenyon Martin from the New Jersey Nets. Coming off their first playoff appearance in nine years, the Nuggets got off to a shaky start at 13–15. Head coach Jeff Bzdelik was fired and replaced with Michael Cooper as the team lost 10 of their next 14 games. Cooper was then replaced with George Karl, who then led the Nuggets with a 32–8 record for the remainder of the season, including a ten-game winning streak in April. The Nuggets finished second in the Northwest Division with a 49–33 record. Second-year star Carmelo Anthony led them in scoring with 20.8 points per game.
| 2004–05 Denver Nuggets season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Jeff Bzdelik (games 1-28) Michael Cooper (interim, games 29-42) George Karl (games 43-82) |
| Owners | Stan Kroenke |
| Arena | Pepsi Center |
| Results | |
| Record | 49–33 (.598) |
| Place | Division: 2nd (Northwest) Conference: 7th (Western) |
| Playoff finish | First Round (lost to Spurs 1–4) |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Entering the playoffs as the #7 seed in the Western Conference, the Nuggets won Game 1 over the 2nd-seeded San Antonio Spurs, but would lose the series in five games. The Spurs then defeated the Detroit Pistons in seven games in the NBA Finals, winning their third championship in franchise history.