The Nuggets provided many wonderful memories as well. Late in the 1984-85 season, we had a 20-game home winning streak that included a game against the Hakeem Rockets. No one called them Houston then.
We were trailing by 23 points in the third quarter when we went on a 29-2 run to take a small lead into the final period. We used to giggle when Hakeem Olajuwon would sit on the sideline and suck on an oxygen tank. The guy was possibly the greatest athlete to ever play the game, but the altitude of the Mile High City would psych him out.
We used our best weapon against him and kept the game at a frantic pace. Olajuwon had 20 points and 25 rebounds but made just 7-of-22 shots. Meanwhile, our forward duo of Alex English and Calvin Natt combined for 76 points.
The game went down to the wire and the old McNichols Arena was electric. After hanging on for a 133-131 double-overtime victory, I remember our team savoring the win in the locker room. It was one of those moments that didn’t need dialogue. We were all beaming with satisfaction afterward.
A long winning streak is a mythical thing. Few players experience them as they are very rare. I was part of a 57-game home winning streak in college that lasted over three seasons. The 20-game home streak with the Nuggets was amazing as well.
I always smile when I hear players downplay streaks. I know that many players and coaches feel the need to say the “right thing,” that winning the championship is the goal and streaks are meaningless. But it seems a little disingenuous to pretend that you are not excited by the prospect.
Surely you don’t sacrifice your future by playing dangerously injured and risking a long recovery. But every player revels in the prospect of taking on all comers, and having your opponent hyped up to play 
you. Why wait for the playoffs to have a “playoff atmosphere” game?
You know that when the current Heat team comes calling in Chicago tonight, the United Center – already a loud building – will be on fire, even more than usual. The fans want to be there to see the mighty fall. The players want to be the lead story on SportsCenter. It makes for tremendous theatre.
I am totally rooting for the Heat to break the record for the longest winning streak in NBA history. I think that it is great for the game to have it happen. Don’t forget that records are made to be broken.
And as a former Heat player, I will totally brag about it and take pride in it happening as if I actually had something to do with it.
However, keep this is mind. Another thing that history shows – and the Nuggets just reminded us of – is when a streak finally ends, it usually ends in a blowout.
Danny Schayes is a retired 18-year-veteran of the NBA, a professional broadcaster and aspiring author now penning weekly NBA columns for SheridanHoops. Follow him on Twitter.
We loved you in Denver, Danny! Those were some fun seasons.