Carl Dickel is the Nuggets' most successful coach. He led the team to three playoff appearances during a four-year stint as coach from 1994 to 1997.
He had help from a talented young point guard who just happened to be his son. Mark Dickel, of course, went on to forge an impressive professional and international career.
Sixteen years after the father-son combination last teamed up at the Nuggets, they are back together.
But there is a different dynamic these days. Mark is the player-coach, the boss. And Carl, who lives in Australia these days, has come over to assist Mark.
He is Mark's eyes on the sideline and sees his role as making sure his son's job is as easy as possible.
''It is his team and all the calls are going to be his,'' Carl said.
''I'll just do the best I can for the side to communicate to him during foul shots and, when I can, about what I see.
''He is still going to have to make the tough decisions and I just want to back him up and help him any way I can.
''But the experience he has gained over the years in America and Europe has not only made him a really outstanding player, but has also given him the experience to be a really top-notch coach.
''When Mark asked me to come back, I thought about lots of things but it came back to the fact I really do want to help him as a coach.
''This is a step for him towards what he is going to be doing for the next 25 years. If I can help in some small way to make that easier for him, then that's why I'm here.''
As far as making substitutions, Mark's plan is to run a rotation. That plan, of course, can fall apart if people get into foul trouble.
That happened in the 92-82 win over the Waitakere Rangers last weekend, when both imports, Warren Carter and Troy Payne, picked up early second fouls and took a long sit-down.
Carl Dickel said basketball had changed quite a lot since he was last involved at coaching at this level. The game has moved from 12min to 10min quarters and there is 24sec on the shot clock rather than 30sec.
There is also a big emphasis on setting screens and full-court defence.
''You're always up against the clock ... and I think it makes for a better game,'' he said.
The Nuggets play the Canterbury Rams in Christchurch tonight. It is the first time the rivals have played each other in an NBL game in five years.
The Rams dropped out of the league in 2009 and returned only this year. The Nuggets also dropped out in 2009 but returned the following season.
Tonight's game could be decided by which point guard gets the upper hand. The Mark Dickel-Jeremy Kench battle promises to be a highlight.
Rams centre Matt Rogers is 2.11m and will present a match-up problem for the Nuggets, and fellow import Glen Dandridge is also an offensive threat. The Nuggets pride themselves on defence, though, and will look to assert pressure by shutting down the Rams' leading players.
Payne has been impressive in his two outings. He is an excellent defender and rebounder and, while a little limited on offence, he has been the Nuggets' leading scorer.
Captain Brendon Polyblank has lifted his game several notches from last season and Sam King has been a revelation.
Carter is yet to really impose himself on the league and Tony Tolovae had a poor match against the Rangers.
NBL
Nuggets v RamsWhen: Tonight, 7pm.
Where: Christchurch.
Otago Nuggets: Mark Dickel, Tony Tolovae, Troy Payne, Brendon Polyblank, Warren Carter, Micah Lepaio, Sam King, Steve Robinson, Olly Smith, Damon Cleverley.
Canterbury Rams: Jeremy Kench, Glen Dandridge, Ethan Rusbatch, Richie Edwards, Matt Rogers, Inga Solofuti, Brent Fisher, Joel Stratford, Marty Davison, Josh Paurini, James Anson-Holland, Sam Crozier.
