Last Updated on September 17, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

League Search Page > NBA > Denver Nuggets > Roster & Statistics

The 1978–79 Denver Nuggets featured a balanced attack led by David Thompson and Dan Issel, who carried the scoring load while also contributing on the glass. Bobby Jones anchored the defense with elite rebounding, shot-blocking, and steals, and Paul Westphal added secondary scoring and playmaking from the backcourt. The statistics reflect a well-rounded team with multiple offensive options, strong defensive playmakers, and consistent production across the starting lineup.

Roster

No. Player Pos Ht Wt Birth Date College
10 George McGinnis F 6-8 235 Aug 12, 1950 Indiana
11 Mike Evans G 6-1 170 Apr 19, 1955 Kansas State
12 Monte Towe G 5-7 150 Sep 27, 1953 NC State
20 Anthony Roberts F 6-6 195 Apr 15, 1955 Oral Roberts
21 Glen Gondrezick F 6-6 205 Aug 30, 1953 UNLV
22 David Thompson G/F 6-4 195 Jul 13, 1954 NC State
23 Bo Ellis F 6-9 200 Aug 8, 1954 Marquette
24 Ted McClain G 6-1 180 Aug 30, 1946 Tennessee State
30 George T. Johnson C 6-11 210 Dec 18, 1948 Stephen F. Austin
41 Tom LaGarde C/F 6-10 220 Feb 10, 1955 North Carolina
44 Dan Issel C/F 6-9 235 Oct 25, 1948 Kentucky
50 Campy Russell F 6-8 215 Jan 12, 1952 Michigan

Off-season blockbuster: George McGinnis was acquired in an August 16, 1978 trade that sent fan-favourite Bobby Jones and Ralph Simpson to Philadelphia.

Notable departures this season: Bobby Jones (traded in 1978), Marvin Webster (departed via free agency).

Regular Season Per Game

Player Name Pos Age G GS MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG TPG FGA FG% 3PA 3P% FTA FT%
David Thompson SG 24 76   35.1 24.0 3.6 3.0 0.9 1.1 2.4 17.8 .512 0 .000 7.7 .753
Dan Issel C 30 81   33.9 17.0 9.1 3.1 0.8 0.6 2.1 12.7 .517 0 .000 5.2 .754
George McGinnis PF 28 76   33.6 22.6 11.4 3.7 1.7 0.7 4.6 16.8 .474 0 .000 10.1 .665
Charlie Scott PG 30 79   33.1 12.0 2.7 5.4 1.0 0.4 3.2 10.8 .460 0 .000 2.7 .749
Bob Wilkerson SF 24 80   30.3 11.4 5.2 3.6 1.5 0.3 2.5 10.9 .456 0 .000 2.2 .688
Tom Boswell PF 25 79   27.9 10.6 6.8 3.1 0.6 0.6 2.3 7.6 .532 0 .000 3.6 .697
Anthony Roberts SF 23 63   19.6 7.9 4.1 1.7 0.3 0.0 1.0 7.9 .424 0 .000 1.7 .691
Robert Smith PG 23 82   18.0 6.4 1.8 2.5 0.7 0.2 1.2 5.3 .422 0 .000 2.2 .883
Kim Hughes C 26 81   13.4 2.6 4.1 0.9 0.7 1.3 1.0 2.2 .538 0 .000 0.6 .400
Bo Ellis PF 24 42   6.4 2.7 1.5 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.5 2.2 .457 0 .000 0.9 .806
Phil Hicks SF 26 20   6.4 2.0 1.4 0.4 0.3 0.0 0.7 2.2 .419 0 .000 0.3 .600
John Kuester PG 23 33   6.4 1.4 0.4 1.1 0.5 0.0 0.6 1.6 .308 0 .000 0.4 .929
Geoff Crompton C 23 20   4.4 1.3 1.2 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.6 1.3 .385 0 .000 0.6 .500
Team Totals     82   240.3 110.7 47.6 26.4 8.2 5.1 20.3 89.2 .481 0 .000 34.6 .720

Playoff Per Game

Player Name Pos Age G GS MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG TPG FGA FG% 3PA 3P% FTA FT%
David Thompson SG 24 3   40.7 28.0 7.0 4.0 1.3 0.3 4.0 23.0 .551 0 .000 3.7 .727
Tom Boswell PF 25 3   40.0 17.3 9.0 5.3 1.0 1.7 2.0 11.7 .600 0 .000 4.3 .769
Dan Issel C 30 3   36.3 24.3 9.3 3.3 0.0 0.0 3.0 15.0 .533 0 .000 10.3 .806
Charlie Scott PG 30 3   34.7 16.0 4.7 3.3 0.7 0.7 3.3 14.0 .476 0 .000 4.7 .571
Bob Wilkerson SF 24 3   33.7 9.7 8.7 5.0 1.0 0.3 2.0 11.3 .412 0 .000 1.0 .333
Anthony Roberts SF 23 3   26.7 11.0 4.3 2.0 0.7 0.3 1.0 11.0 .394 0 .000 3.7 .636
Kim Hughes C 26 3   11.7 1.0 3.7 0.0 0.7 0.0 1.0 0.7 .500 0 .000 0.7 .500
Robert Smith PG 23 3   8.3 0.7 0.7 1.3 0.7 0.0 0.7 2.3 .000 0 .000 0.7 1.000
Bo Ellis PF 24 3   8.0 2.0 1.3 0.3 0.7 0.3 0.0 2.0 .333 0 .000 0.7 1.000
Team Totals     3   240.0 110.0 48.7 24.7 6.7 3.7 17.3 91.0 .487 0 .000 29.7 .719

Regular Season Totals

Player Pos Age GP GS MIN PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV FGA FGM 3PA 3PM FTA FTM
Dan Issel C 30 81   2742 1380 738 255 61 46 171 1030 532 0 0 419 316
David Thompson SG 24 76   2670 1825 274 225 70 82 186 1353 693 0 0 583 439
Charlie Scott PG 30 79   2617 947 210 428 78 30 255 854 393 0 0 215 161
George McGinnis PF 28 76   2552 1715 864 283 129 52 346 1273 603 0 0 765 509
Bob Wilkerson SF 24 80   2425 911 414 284 118 21 196 869 396 0 0 173 119
Tom Boswell PF 25 79   2201 840 538 242 50 51 185 603 321 0 0 284 198
Robert Smith PG 23 82   1479 527 146 208 58 13 95 436 184 0 0 180 159
Anthony Roberts SF 23 63   1236 498 258 107 20 2 65 498 211 0 0 110 76
Kim Hughes C 26 81   1086 214 335 74 56 102 78 182 98 0 0 45 18
Bo Ellis PF 24 42   269 113 62 10 10 13 22 92 42 0 0 36 29
John Kuester PG 23 33   212 45 13 37 18 1 20 52 16 0 0 14 13
Phil Hicks SF 26 20   128 39 28 8 5 0 13 43 18 0 0 5 3
Geoff Crompton C 23 20   88 26 23 5 0 3 12 26 10 0 0 12 6
Team Totals     82   19705 9080 3903 2166 673 416 1644 7311 3517 0 0 2841 2046

Playoff Totals

Ply Pos Age GP GS Min Pts Reb Ast Stl Blk Tov FGA FGM 3PA 3PM FTA FTM
David Thompson   24 3   122 84 21 12 4 1 12 69 38 0 0 11 8
Tom Boswell   25 3   120 52 27 16 3 5 6 35 21 0 0 13 10
Dan Issel   30 3   109 73 28 10 0 0 9 45 24 0 0 31 25
Charlie Scott   30 3   104 48 14 10 2 2 10 42 20 0 0 14 8
Bob Wilkerson   24 3   101 29 26 15 3 1 6 34 14 0 0 3 1
Anthony Roberts   23 3   80 33 13 6 2 1 3 33 13 0 0 11 7
Kim Hughes   26 3   35 3 11 0 2 0 3 2 1 0 0 2 1
Robert Smith   23 3   25 2 2 4 2 0 2 7 0 0 0 2 2
Bo Ellis   24 3   24 6 4 1 2 1 0 6 2 0 0 2 2
Team Totals     3   720 330 146 74 20 11 51 273 133 0 0 89 64

HeatingUp Impact Index: Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG+ BPG) Impact Index* Notes Awards
David Thompson Explosive Scoring Alpha 35.1 High (primary scorer) 24.0 3.6 3.0 2.0 16.3 In his second pro season, Thompson was the go-to scorer for Denver. Known for his high-flying play, thunderous finishes, and ability to create in transition. He also contributed defensively, with a solid steal and block rate for a guard.  ABA Rookie of Year; All-Star (per your data)
George McGinnis Two-Way Frontcourt Scorer 33.6 High (scoring + playmaking) 22.6 11.4 3.7 2.4 20.05 McGinnis operated as Denver’s power forward with a highly versatile offensive profile. He not only scored and rebounded at high volume, but also made plays for teammates, showing strong vision for a big. His steal + block combined shows he was active defensively. All-Star (per your data)
Dan Issel Post Anchor / Inside Scorer 33.9 Medium-High (scoring + rebounder) 17.0 9.1 3.1 1.4 15.3 Issel was the rugged workhorse center: dominant on the boards, efficient in the post, and a stabilizing presence for Denver’s frontcourt. —
Charlie Scott Lead Guard / Facilitator 33.1 Medium (playmaker + scorer) 12.0 2.7 5.4 1.4 10.75 Scott ran the offense, generating quality assists and scoring in secondary fashion. His experience and court vision helped anchor the guard rotation. He also had modest defensive contributions. —
Bob Wilkerson Wing Glue / Two-Way Contributor 30.3 Medium (balanced) 11.4 5.2 3.6 1.8 11.0 Wilkerson carved out a valuable two-way role: capable scorer, steady passer, and active in defense (notably steals), giving Denver flexibility on the wing. —
Tom Boswell Reserve Big / Secondary Creator 27.9 Low-Medium (spot scoring + rebounding) 10.6 6.8 3.1 1.2 10.85 Boswell provided important frontcourt depth. He grabbed a fair number of boards, could hit open shots, and occasionally facilitated in the second unit. —
Anthony Roberts Young Wing Role Player 19.6 Low (developmental) 7.9 4.1 1.7 0.3 6.95 Roberts was still developing, playing fewer minutes, but contributing as a secondary scorer and rebounder in his role off the bench. —
Robert Smith Backup Guard / Change-of-Pace PG 18.0 Low (relief ball-handler) 6.4 1.8 2.5 0.9 5.8 Smith offered Denver depth at the guard spot. He came in to relieve primary ball handlers, ran the offense in short stretches, and gave some scoring pop. —
Kim Hughes Defensive Big / Rim Protector 13.4 Minimal-Medium (defensive specialist) 2.6 4.1 0.9 2.0 4.8 Hughes wasn’t a major scoring threat but made his mark defensively: his blocks per game suggest he helped protect the rim in his limited minutes. —
Bo Ellis Situational Forward 6.4 Minimal (spot minutes) 2.7 1.5 0.2 0.5 2.45 Very limited role, used mostly in low-leverage situations or for brief rest for other forwards. —
Phil Hicks Deep Bench Wing 6.4 Minimal 2.0 1.4 0.4 0.3 2.05 Fringe rotation player, saw garbage or low-stakes minutes. —
John Kuester Emergency Point Guard 6.4 Minimal 1.4 0.4 1.1 0.5 1.7 Provided depth at the point; used sporadically when needed to give main guards a breather. —
Geoff Crompton Emergency Big / Young Center 4.4 Minimal 1.3 1.2 0.3 0.2 1.5 Barely used, likely only in blowouts or when reserves were needed. —

*Impact Index = (PPG + RPG + APG + STK) ÷ 2