Nuggets report, Nov. 8

Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News

Thursday, November 8, 2007

NUMBERS GAME

15 minutes per game Nuggets coach George Karl wanted to play Allen Iverson at point guard this season, with 25 minutes at shooting guard. But with three point guards injured, Iverson has averaged 39 minutes the past two games playing exclusively at the point.

REVERSAL OF FORTUNE

James Posey never experienced a Rocky Mountain high in the standings in Denver, but it has been different since he left.

When Posey played for the Nuggets from 1999-2000 through the first 1 1/2 months of 2002-03, they went 108-163 (.399). Since then, he has gone 224-166 (.574) with Houston, Memphis, Miami and Boston, his current team.

"I'm just trying to get my wins up," said Posey, who won a title with Miami in 2006.

Posey was lost Wednesday with low back spasms, and Celtics coach Doc Rivers is "extremely concerned."

WILKS STILL HOPEFUL

Mike Wilks tested his strained right hamstring.

It didn't go as well as he wanted.

"It still hurts," he said.

Still, Wilks, who has missed the past two games, leaving the Nuggets with Iverson as their only point guard, is trying to remain optimistic. He said it was 50-50 he will play Friday at Washington.

HE SAID IT

"I don't think anyone could have predicted how fast Melo has grown. . . . When we got there (in January 2005), there was a lack of identity to his basketball personality."

Karl, on Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony.