The franchise has upgraded from hapless to outstanding in two short years and it is very bewildering for those of us who recall the dark days of the three-year, 33-game losing streak.
Winning, rather than losing, precedes streak this season, as the Nuggets banked their sixth and seventh consecutive wins in their best start to the National Basketball League - ever.
Yesterday's 95-66 demolition of the Southland Sharks removed any remaining doubt about this team's ability.
Yes, they are the real deal. And, yes, they can do more than just make the playoffs for the first time in 16 years. Whisper it, but the Nuggets could win the title.
The Wellington Saints may have something to say about that, stacked as they are with talent. But for now the Nuggets are on top of the standings and setting the pace.
Coach Alf Arlidge, who was around during the dark days, if he is completely honest is also feeling a little discombobulated by the turn of events. But he believes in this team and if the Nuggets keep rebounding, and playing their uncompromising style of defence, that odd feeling will soon make way for unabated excitement.
''All we are trying to work on is defence,'' Arlidge said.
''That will get us through when things are tight.''
''Our plan was to contest every shot Kevin [Braswell] took and that we got out to guard their shooters like Leon [Henry] and young [Reuben] Te Rangi. We did a really good job of that.''
To hold a team with as much three-point firepower as the Sharks to 66 points was a magnificent effort.
Sure the Sharks missed some good looks - Te Rangi had a horrid night with one from 10 from the field - but the Nuggets defended with great intensity.
They also out-rebounded the Sharks 51-34, which was telling.
Akeem Wright took his Nuggets career tally past 500 points with 22 points. The Sharks did a good job on BJ Anthony but you cannot shut him completely out of the game. He still managed 20 points and nine rebounds.
Centre Antoine Tisby bagged another double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds, and Riki Buckrell recorded his first double-double with 10 boards and 11 points.
Captain Mark Dickel helped out with 12 points, nine rebounds, six assists and three steals. It was a very familiar stat line from the little general.
The Sharks relied heavily on Braswell (21) and Brian Conklin (23) to do the scoring. Leon Henry, who was in foul trouble all night and eventually fouled out, posted 11 points and seven rebounds.
The game was evenly poised at halftime, as the Nuggets led 43-35. The final quarter proved decisive. The Nuggets outscored the Sharks 31-14 to clinch a very good win against a quality side.
On Saturday night, Wright produced a powerhouse performance to lead the Nuggets to a 110-93 win against the Taranaki Mountain Airs.
The American swingman posted 35 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, five steals and three blocks. There is nothing the man cannot do. Surely he will be named player of the week.
Anthony and Tisby both ran into foul trouble but still had time to mount impressive numbers.
Anthony scored 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Tisby also hauled 13 boards and scored 17 points. Dickel made a whopping 12 assists.
In other round five games, the Nelson Giants beat the Waikato Pistons 89-75, the Southland Sharks had an enormous 105-84 win against the Taranaki Mountain Airs and the Super City Rangers upset the Hawkes Bay Hawks 90-88.
NBL
The scores
Sunday
Nuggets 95
Akeem Wright 22, BJ Anthony 20, Antoine Tisby 19
Sharks 66
Brian Conklin 23, Kevin Braswell 21, Leon Henry 11
Quarter scores: 1st 27-10, 2nd 43-35, 3rd 64-52
Saturday
Nuggets 110
Akeem Wright 35, BJ Anthony 22, Antoine Tisby 17
Mountain Airs 93
Kenny Gabriel 21, Link Abrams 18, Jack Leasure 15
Quarter scores: 1st 29-24, 2nd 48-42, 3rd 84-66
