Alex English

The Blade: Led the NBA in scoring in 1982–83 and earned eight All-Star selections with the Nuggets.

Alexander English, affectionately known as "the Blade," is a legendary figure in Denver Nuggets history, renowned for his smooth scoring ability during the franchise's golden era in the 1980s. A native of South Carolina who played college ball at the University of South Carolina, English was selected in the second round of the 1976 NBA draft. He spent his prime years with the Nuggets from 1979 to 1989, leading the team to nine consecutive playoff appearances and two Midwest Division titles. Averaging 21.5 points per game over 15 seasons, he became the NBA's all-time leading scorer of the 1980s. His number 2 jersey was retired by Denver in 1992, and he was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997.

Quick Facts

Born: 5 January 1954
Birthplace: Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
High school: Dreher (Columbia, South Carolina)
College: South Carolina (1972–1976)
Draft round: 2
Draft pick: 23
Drafted by: Milwaukee Bucks
Coach start: 2002

Lore & Background

English's tenure with the Denver Nuggets (1979–1989) was defined by relentless offensive production. After arriving via trade for George McGinnis, he quickly became a star, averaging 25.4 points in 1981–82 and winning the league scoring title in 1982–83 with 28.4 points per game. That same season, teammate Kiki Vandeweghe finished second in scoring, highlighting Denver's potent offense. In 1985, English averaged 30.2 points in the playoffs as the Nuggets reached the Western Conference Finals, falling to the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers. He famously stated in a 2006 interview regarding that series: "I think that if I had not broken my thumb [...] we had a chance to beat the Lakers." His scoring prowess continued into 1985–86, where he averaged a career-best 29.8 points and set a Nuggets single-game playoff record with 42 points in a double-overtime loss to the Houston Rockets on May 8, 1986.

Reader's Guide

For fans studying Alex English's impact, focus on his transition from the Milwaukee Bucks to Denver. After struggling for playing time in Milwaukee behind Bob Dandridge and Junior Bridgeman, he signed with Indiana before being traded to Denver midway through the 1979–80 season. In Denver, he flourished, earning All-Star nods eight times and making the All-NBA Second Team three times. His scoring title in 1982–83 remains a pinnacle of individual achievement. Beyond stats, English was recognized for his character, receiving the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in 1988. His legacy is cemented not just by his 25,613 career points (19th all-time as of 2019) but by his role in elevating the Nuggets' profile. The team retired his number 2 jersey in 1992, and he was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1997. As of 2021, The Athletic ranked him as the 71st greatest player in NBA history.

Did You Know?

On March 10, 1989, he scored 51 points against Miami without attempting a single three-pointer.
He was the first player to score 2,000 points in eight consecutive seasons.