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Nuggets report, October 9

Aaron J. Lopez, Rocky Mountain News

Published October 9, 2007 at midnight

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Players have cameos

Before Carmelo Anthony arrived in Denver four years ago, Nowhereland used to be a place the Nuggets often found themselves by mid-December.

On Monday, it represented another step in the franchise's ongoing rise to prominence.

With Eddie Murphy in Denver shooting his new movie Nowhereland, Anthony, Allen Iverson and coach George Karl filmed cameo appearances as the cameras rolled on the Pepsi Center practice court.

"A.I. and Melo are making a lot more money than me (for their roles), that's all I know," Karl joked. "Just like in basketball."

If the scene survives the editing room, it will be Karl's second appearance in a major motion picture. He played himself in the 1998 movie He Got Game directed by Spike Lee.

Nowhereland is scheduled for release in September.

Carter surgery

Nuggets point guard Anthony Carter is scheduled to have surgery today to insert screws into his broken right hand. Carter will wear a cast and is expected to miss four to six weeks.

"It's a little frustrating," Karl said. "He was someone I was thinking about playing substantial minutes."

Carter broke his third metacarpal - the long bone above his middle finger - during practice Saturday. Nuggets center Marcus Camby broke his fourth metacarpal bone last season but missed only four games spanning two weeks.

Paging Mr. Roberson

The injury to Carter presents an opportunity for third-year point guard Anthony Roberson, one of four nonroster invitees still in training camp.

Roberson, 24, has been a D-League force the past two seasons, averaging 17.1 points and shooting 42.1 percent on three-pointers for the Arkansas RimRockers.

Let's get it started

The Nuggets open their eight-game exhibition season tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Pepsi Center.

"I think (for) a veteran team, (wins) aren't as important as for a younger team, but I always like to at least go (.500)," Karl said. "These guys have competed hard and when you play a game the competitive spirit always shows up."

He said it

"Those guys are on a mission. They don't want no young guys coming in here and getting in the way because those guys have unfinished business to attend to. . . . I just try not to get in their way."

Von Wafer, 22, on his veteran teammates.

Etc.

• Carter is one of five Nuggets who will not play tonight against the Clippers. Chucky Atkins (groin), Kenyon Martin (knee, groin), Eduardo Najera (back strain) and Nene (calf strain) also are out, leaving Karl with 13 players available.

• Camby, the reigning NBA defensive player of the year, has yet to miss a practice but said he likely will sit out a few exhibition games in an effort to stay healthy. He will leave the specific schedule up to Karl.