Needing fast break

Nuggets are hopeful Iverson can fly west today, play tonight

Aaron J. Lopez, Rocky Mountain News

Friday, December 22, 2006

Before he can run the fast break for the Nuggets, Allen Iverson will have to make a cross-country sprint, then hope to receive clearance for takeoff at the Pepsi Center.

Iverson is hoping to make his debut tonight when the Nuggets play the Sacramento Kings, but his appearance on the court is far from certain.

The snowstorm that blitzed Denver prevented Iverson from flying in from Philadelphia on Thursday, forcing Nuggets officials to go into Planes, Trains and Automobiles mode.

"We're at the mercy of the weatherman," vice president of basketball operations Mark Warkentien said. "You can't land anything in Denver. We are working on alternatives as we speak. The last time we spoke with Colorado Springs, (the airport) was open but the roads are closed."

Even if the airline pilots, snowplows and weather cooperate, Iverson still might not be able to play his first game since Dec. 6.

Andre Miller, sent to Philadelphia in Tuesday's trade, must report to the 76ers and pass a physical before tonight's road game against the Boston Celtics. Miller still was in Denver waiting out the snowstorm.

Physicals for Joe Smith and Ivan McFarlin, the two other players involved in the trade, have been waived. Smith was expected to be with the 76ers in Boston ahead of Miller, while McFarlin is expected to be released by the Nuggets.

"All conditions for the trade must be met before any of the four players are eligible to play anywhere," Warkentien said. "If Iverson gets his stuff done (he must take a physical) and Joe Smith or Andre Miller don't have their stuff done, (Iverson) can't play. It's a very fluid situation."

With the state of the roster still in flux and the city streets still snowpacked, Nuggets coach George Karl canceled practice.

His decision came one day after the Nuggets' game against the streaking Phoenix Suns was postponed because of the snow.

"Without A.I., we probably would have had only eight or nine guys," Karl said. "We got a Christmas gift (Wednesday) night in not playing a game. Maybe we should just relax and wait."

Iverson promises to be worth the wait.

The seven-time All-Star is averaging 31.2 points a game - second to new teammate Carmelo Anthony - and he figures to thrive in Karl's up-tempo offense that affords the opportunity for creativity and improvisation.

If Iverson is able to play tonight, Karl will not hesitate to give him significant minutes.

"That's the game plan right now," Karl said. "Give him an opportunity to learn on the job."

Coming from the Eastern time zone, the clock will work in Iverson's favor , but it will be a mild upset if he can report to Denver in time for the team's morning shootaround.

Then again, Iverson doesn't need much more than a good warm-up and a short pregame meeting to be ready to play.

"Obviously, he's a guy that doesn't need a lot of help to get a shot," Warkentien said.

Not that practice isn't important to Iverson, who infamously ranted about the subject several years ago. Karl, like Iverson's former coach Larry Brown, has a reputation for stressing good practice habits.

In an interview with his former Georgetown coach John Thompson - now an analyst for TNT Sports - Iverson tried to clear up his stance on practice.

"It's just blown all out of proportion. That was a day I wish honestly never happened," he said. "I couldn't have accomplished the things in my career if I didn't practice.

"I just want kids all over the world to know you have to practice to be any good in this game, it's too hard. When you are not practicing, someone else is getting better."

Iverson, whose tattoos, cornrows and baggy shorts, helped changed the style and image of the NBA, also tried to dispel the perception that he is a thug.

"A thug? Man, I'm 31 years old and a husband with four kids. I hope I'm no thug," he said.

"I'm not going to be the same as I was when I've made so many bad mistakes. If I'm not getting older and more mature at 31, then something's wrong."

Before Iverson's arrival, the Nuggets were facing an image crisis of their own in the wake of their brawl with the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.

Anthony was suspended 15 games for punching Knicks rookie Mardy Collins and guard J.R. Smith was suspended 10 games for his part in the fight.

Smith's father, Earl Smith, said his son filed paperwork appealing the suspension Tuesday. However, an official with the NBA players' union said nothing had been received as of Thursday evening, and no appeal is official until the union sends the paperwork to the NBA.

Earl Smith said his son realizes it is unlikely an appeal can be heard before his 10 games are served, but J.R. Smith realistically could recoup some of his lost salary.

J.R. Smith's contention will be that Ray Allen and Keyon Dooling received three and five games for fighting during a game last season.

lopezaa@RockyMountainNews.com