Today, it was announced that former Nuggets Dikembe Mutombo and Spencer Haywood were elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame. An honor that was inevitable for one, long-overdue for another.

Mutombo was drafted 4th by the Denver Nuggets in the 1991 draft. In his five seasons in Denver he lead the NBA in blocks three times, was named Defensive Player of the year once, lead the league in rebounding once,. and guided the Nuggets to what was then the biggest upset in NBA playoff history, when the eighth seeded Nuggets defeated the top seeded Seattle Supersonics in the 1994 playoffs in five thrilling games, in the first round. Along with being elected to three consecutive All Star games.

Spencer Haywood had probably the best rookie season that anyone can remember when he played for the Denver Rockets of the ABA at the tender age of 19 (due to the NBA’s age restriction). He averaged 30 points and 19.5 rebounds PER GAME his single season with the Rockets. One of the most amazing single rookie seasons that anyone can remember. Then Haywood made history by challenging the NBA in court over their age restriction policy. Truly a groundbreaking player.

Both elected to the Hall.