I normally don’t have a favorite when it comes to the NBA playoffs but I just came across this picture of Anthony Roberts, one of our All-American players at Oral Roberts University, who played for Denver. (1977-1984) So, I guess I am a little partial toward the Nuggets. I also have always been a big fan of David Thompson, who Anthony played with in Denver.

Anthony Roberts from Oral Roberts, grabs a rebound against Louisville in the Mid-West Regional in 1974. ORU won in OT 86-82. Roberts was drafted and played for the Nuggets.

Anthony was a freshman and our sixth man in 1974 when we played Kansas in the Elite Eight finals. Anthony went on to become an All-American in 1977 at ORU. He finished second in the nation in scoring with a 34.0 per game average in 1977. He still holds the record for the most points ever scored in a post season game. He scored 65 points in a first round NIT game against Oregon. Anthony, like several other players, that played for us at ORU, was from Chattanooga. (Our first All-American, Richard Fuqua, also played at Riverside HS.) Anthony was drafted in the 1st round in the NBA, #21 overall. He averaged 9.5 points and 4.3 rebounds his rookie season. He finished his shortened NBA career with a 8.2 points per game average. Anthony was tragically shot and killed in 1997 at the age of 41.

Like so many other NBA fans I enjoy watching the TEAM effort of the Nuggets. What is there not to like about the humble way that “The Joker” goes about his business on the court? It is a long post-season and anything can happen but I don’t see anyone beating the Celtics in the East. The West is wide open, but I like the Thunder to challenge the Nuggets.