The Overlooked Legend: Why Alex English’s NBA Legacy Remains a Mystery

Alex English, now over 70 years old, holds a remarkable yet bittersweet place in NBA history.

Despite being the leading scorer of the entire 1980s—a decade bursting with basketball icons like Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan—English never received the widespread respect or recognition that his achievements warranted.

His story is one of incredible talent and quiet dominance overshadowed by flashier personalities and bigger market teams.

But what led to this lack of acknowledgment? And why does his legacy still evoke sadness among basketball fans and historians alike?

Alex English’s journey to NBA stardom was anything but straightforward.

Drafted in the second round in 1976 by the Milwaukee Bucks, he struggled to find playing time behind established veterans.

His move to the Indiana Pacers gave him more opportunities to shine, but it was a mid-season trade to the Denver Nuggets in 1979 that truly transformed his career.

The Nuggets acquired him for George McGinnis, a veteran past his prime, a move that would prove pivotal.

In Denver, English found the perfect environment to showcase his skills and soon became a dominant offensive force.

By the 1982-83 season, Alex English had captured the NBA scoring title, averaging 28.4 points per game.

Over the course of the decade, he outscored every other player, a feat that is often overlooked when discussing the era’s greats.

What set English apart was not just his scoring ability but his extraordinary consistency and durability.

He was the first player in NBA history to score 2,000 points in eight consecutive seasons, and over his 15-year career, he missed only 14 games out of a possible 1,230.

This quiet reliability was a superpower in its own right, allowing him to maintain elite production year after year.

English’s playing style was a study in elegance and efficiency.

Known for his silky smooth jump shot and a soft running one-hander in the lane, he was described as graceful and methodical.

His mid-range game, particularly within 10 to 15 feet of the basket, was nearly unmatched.

English himself viewed his contributions as an art form, a perspective he shared in his Hall of Fame induction speech, where he thanked fans for appreciating his artistic approach to basketball.

However, this style came at a cost.

Unlike some of his contemporaries, English’s game lacked the flashiness that often captures the public’s imagination.

He rarely dunked or made highlight-reel plays, which contributed to his lower profile in an era dominated by larger-than-life personalities.

The system English played in both helped and hindered his legacy.

Under coach Doug Moe, the Denver Nuggets ran a high-octane, free-flowing offense that emphasized pace and constant movement.

This style suited English perfectly, allowing him to create shots without dominating the ball and thrive in a fast-paced environment.

However, the Nuggets’ defensive weaknesses often overshadowed their offensive prowess.

Denver’s teams were known for their poor defense, leading critics to dismiss English’s impressive statistics as “empty stats.”

While the Nuggets were regular playoff contenders, they rarely advanced far, which further fueled skepticism about English’s impact.

This criticism, while partially understandable, unfairly discounted the context of Denver’s style of play.

The Nuggets’ league-leading pace naturally inflated raw statistics for all players on the team.

Modern basketball analytics, which adjust for pace and other factors, provide a more balanced view of English’s contributions.

Despite the skepticism, English’s individual accolades were impressive.

He was an eight-time NBA All-Star and earned three All-NBA second team honors.

When he left Denver, he held franchise records in nearly every significant offensive category, and the Nuggets retired his jersey number 2 in 1992.

Yet, perhaps the most painful indication of English’s underrecognition came with his omission from the NBA’s 50th and 75th anniversary teams.

Despite being the leading scorer of the 1980s and a Hall of Famer, he was left off both prestigious lists.

Learning of his exclusion from the 75th anniversary team while watching television was a bitter experience for English.

He questioned why other prolific scorers like Dominique Wilkins and Bob McAdoo were included while he was not.

English attributed these snubs to his understated playing style, which did not align with the flamboyant image often celebrated in basketball.

Several factors likely contributed to English’s relative invisibility in NBA lore: playing in a smaller market, lacking a championship ring, a game described as simple rather than spectacular, and being overshadowed by more glamorous players and teams.

One of the most intriguing “what if” moments in English’s career involved a near trade in 1982.

The Denver Nuggets reportedly agreed to trade him to the San Diego Clippers, but the deal was vetoed by Clippers owner Donald Sterling, who doubted English’s superstar status.

This decision proved monumental.

English went on to average over 26 points per game for the next nine seasons in Denver, solidifying his Hall of Fame career, while the Clippers continued to struggle.

English’s departure from Denver was also far from ideal.

After the 1989-90 season, when his scoring average dipped, the Nuggets chose not to renew his contract.

English had hoped for a farewell tour and a more celebratory exit, similar to other franchise legends, but he never received that opportunity.

Despite his Hall of Fame induction in 1997 and his jersey retirement, questions about his place in NBA history persist.

Alex English’s career illustrates that a player’s legacy is shaped by more than just statistics or accolades.

It is influenced by playing style, team success, market exposure, media narratives, and subjective perceptions of greatness.

While English’s style was less flamboyant than many of his contemporaries and his teams never reached championship heights, his decade-long scoring dominance and unwavering consistency deserve far greater recognition.

English embodies the archetype of the quiet professional—an elite player who performed at the highest level without demanding the spotlight.

This kind of greatness may not win popularity contests, but the weight of his accomplishments and dignified professionalism offer a lasting example of impactful excellence.

His story challenges us to reconsider how we define and honor greatness in sports, reminding us that sometimes the most profound contributions come wrapped in quiet grace rather than loud spectacle.