Nuggets report, October 26

Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News

Published October 26, 2007 at midnight

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Atkins injured

Nuggets guard Chucky Atkins aggravated his strained right groin early in the fourth quarter of the preseason game Thursday, a 116-113 loss to the Phoenix Suns at the U.S. Airways Center, and left in great pain.

Nuggets coach George Karl said he's "concerned" about Atkins, who will be evaluated today, when more will be known about how long he might be out.

"It's real, real sore and in pain right now," Atkins said after the game. "I felt my groin pop."

Iverson plays

At the morning shootaround, Karl wasn't expecting guard Allen Iverson to play.

Not so fast.

Iverson tested his bruised left thigh. And even though it was a preseason game, he started Thursday.

But Iverson, who banged into teammate Steve Hunter in practice Wednesday, still said the injury hurt. When it was said before the game it must be no big deal since he was on the verge of playing, Iverson said, "That's what you think."

Karl was pleased to see Iverson in action in the final real tuneup for the regular season, which begins Wednesday. Not many top Denver players are expected to play in the preseason finale against Portland tonight in Redmond, Ore.

"I'm glad," Karl said. "I think everybody's a little tired of training camp, but, when the games come, A.I. and we got guys that like to play."

Not playing was center Marcus Camby, who said he will sit tonight due to a minor back injury. Camby will end up missing the final five preseason games but has no concerns about being ready for the regular-season opener against Seattle.

"I'll be in great shape on Wednesday," said Iverson, who led the Nuggets with 24 points Thursday.

Carmelo Anthony added 22 points.

Smith wants to stay

Despite being suspended for the first three games of the regular season for conduct detrimental to the team, guard J.R. Smith said he wants to remain with the Nuggets.

"I always want to be here," said Smith, who is eligible until next week for a contract extension and who has been the subject of trade speculation.

The Nuggets have until Wednesday to sign him to a contract extension that would begin next season. If he doesn't sign by then, he becomes a restricted free agent next summer.

Smith was suspended after being arrested Oct. 13 on charges of assault, destruction of property and disturbing the peace.

Smith didn't want to comment on court records that allege he poured champagne on a woman at a Denver nightclub, then briefly apologized before spitting on her, shoving her and tearing her dress.

"I'm just going to wait. Just play it out," said Smith, whose court appearance is scheduled for Monday.

Diawara starting?

Karl continues to offer strong clues Yakhouba Diawara will be his opening-night starting shooting guard.

Karl wanted to play preseason games Tuesday and Thursday somewhat similar to regular-season games, and Diawara started both. When Iverson informed Karl he would play shortly before the game Thursday, Karl scratched Atkins as the starting point guard and inserted Iverson. That apparently meant Karl is not ready to start Atkins and Iverson together, which, with Anthony Carter injured, would leave no point guard on the bench.

"The emphasis of training camp has been defense, and (Diawara) by far is our best defender," Karl said.

Still, Karl said the starting guard alongside Iverson could rotate.

"It might be a game-time decision," Karl said. "When we play against little teams, I might play Chucky and, when not, I might play (Diawara). Guys that I know are going to zone us, I might play a shooter."

Karl doesn't know yet whether Nene or Kenyon Martin will start at power forward.

Jones intrigues

While swingman Bobby Jones entered training camp pretty much assured him of making the Nuggets' opening day roster, few thought he'd be a threat to be in the rotation. But that's the way it's looking.

"He's been a very pleasant surprise," coach George Karl said.

Jones scored 13 points Thursday, bringing his average to 11.6 points in seven preseason games while shooting 52.9 percent (9-for-17) from three-point range and 54.6 percent overall. Jones, who shot 1-for-9 on three-pointers last season, credits his improvement to regularly staying after practice and to adjustments assistants have made with his shot.

"I was putting the ball too far ahead," he said. "They got me more cocking it back."

Jones' contract for $687,456 becomes fully guaranteed if he's with the team past Jan. 10. If Jones is let go before then, he has said he's due at least $225,000.

Matador defender

Sports Illustrated obviously meant Camby, but the magazine's NBA preview issue declares a Nuggets key man is "Defensive Player of the Year J.R. Smith."

Compounding the error is Smith is one of Denver's worst defenders.

Etc.

• Barring any roster changes, the two Denver players expected to be inactive for the opener Wednesday are Carter, recovering from a broken hand, and Smith. Because Smith's suspension was levied by the team and not the league, he can be placed on the inactive list.

• The Nuggets have gotten a suite for Game 3 of the World Series on Saturday at Coors Field. "It's great," Camby said of the Rockies' success. "I've been to Rockies games when there was like no one in the stands."

He said it

"I wouldn't want to see these ratings with my starters or without my starters. I don't think it's going to knock out the World Series."

Karl, on Thursday's preseason game in Phoenix being televised nationally by TNT.

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