Nuggets' Karl doubts he's 'ever been happier' after first practices

By Aaron J. Lopez, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published October 8, 2008 at 10:30 p.m.

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If the Nuggets can prove their attention span exceeds that of a 3-year-old, the 2008-09 season might turn out to be child's play.

Ten days into training camp and heading into the team's first exhibition game, coach George Karl is impressed with the energy, professionalism and attitude that has been lacking consistently in seasons past.

"I don't think I've ever been happier with a team after the first week of practice," Karl, who is in his 21st NBA season, said Wednesday. "They've done everything we've asked them. There seems to be a seriousness about the changes that we've made, to make them work and to move forward."

Having waved goodbye to veterans Marcus Camby (trade) and Eduardo Najera (free agency) during the offseason, the Nuggets are a team in transition after five straight first-round playoff exits.

With Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, Kenyon Martin and Nene, they have the potential to contend in the Western Conference but ultimately will be only as good as the sum of their parts.

Some of those parts will be on display Friday night at the Pepsi Center.

Nagging injuries will determine who plays and who sits against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but Karl and his staff figure to get an early look at new additions, Chris Andersen, Renaldo Balkman and Dahntay Jones.

Friday also will provide an opportunity for nonroster invitees such as Juwan Howard, Smush Parker and Ruben Patterson. The Nuggets have two roster spots available but will not necessarily fill both when the season opens.

"There's a lot of new faces, a lot of minutes to be earned and a lot of rotations to be determined," Karl said.

The best opportunities for playing time are in backup roles at center, power forward and point guard.

Karl has been impressed with Parker running the point during scrimmages, though the 27-year-old admittedly remains several pounds above his normal playing weight of 185.

"I've never been a pound over 190 pounds," said Parker, who currently checks in at about 200. "The last two seasons I've sat a lot and gained a lot of weight."

If Parker can make the roster, the Nuggets would be his seventh team in six NBA seasons.

"I've lived out of a suitcase the last six years," he said. "I'm looking for a home where I can get comfortable and help a team three, four or five years into the future."

Patterson, who has worn four jerseys the past three years, is another well-traveled player looking to win a job. Though bothered by a hamstring injury this week, he is looking forward to taking the court.

"I can't wait until Friday just to get playing in front of our fans for the first time and getting that momentum," he said.

As for the Nuggets' biggest stars, they might not all shine in the exhibition opener.

Iverson sat out practice Monday because of a bruised left knee and was not with the team Tuesday and Wednesday after the birth of his daughter, Dream Alijha.

"I probably won't make (lineup decisions) until I have a Friday morning injury report on who's going to play and who isn't going to play," Karl said. "We'll probably sit some guys out."

Count on Anthony taking the court for the first time since helping Team USA win the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics. He has no injury issues and is eager to start building a foundation for the regular season.

"Everybody, especially me and Kenyon - we've been here the longest - we want to win now," Anthony said. "I'm not saying that we haven't been winning in the regular season, but the playoffs are a different story. We know it starts from the first day we got out here."

TICKETS ON SALE: Single-game tickets will go on sale at noon Saturday and can be purchased at the Pepsi Center box office and Ticketmaster outlets, online (Ticketmaster.com) and by phone (303-830-8497 or 719-520-9090).

lopezaa@RockyMountainNews.com

• October 9, 2008

  10:28 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  jbowen43 writes:

  So what's the scoop on these guys that have been in the league for years but cannot stick with one team? Is there a Billups among them?

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