Woody Paige: The long wait for an NBA franchise with humble beginnings is over.

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The Denver Nuggets' journey is just beginning, while for the writer, it's coming to an end.

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In 1970, a 24-year-old sportswriter attended his first Denver Rockets game, which they lost to the Memphis Pros in an ABA game.

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Now, at 76 years old, the writer witnessed the Denver Nuggets winning their first NBA championship on June 12, 2023.

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It took a long time and 4,500 games for this achievement to happen.

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The eccentric owner of the Oakland A's, Charles O. Finley, bought the Pros in 1972.

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The writer spent three days with Finley, who initially planned to change the team's name to "TAMS" for Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Southern Illinois.

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However, the writer expressed concerns about including Southern Illinois due to the distance.

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Finley then offered the writer the position of general manager, which was declined.

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