San Antonio – Nuggets coach George Karl often used 11 or 12 players in regular-season games. Sunday night, he stuck to a four-man bench in Game 1 against San Antonio.
Karl said he shortened his rotation in part to give Eduardo Najera more time to heal his broken right hand, but veteran swingman and center were healthy scratches.
Asked Monday what he planned for Game 2, Karl said: “Every game has a different personality. It’s nice to have Eddie sitting there. It’s nice to have B.R., , sitting there. How I use them, when I use them, if I use them, they’re all great options for me. Francisco’s over there as a great insurance policy against anyone getting in foul trouble or getting hurt.”
Najera said he was happy to see his fellow big men do well without him.
He added that he didn’t know why he didn’t play, but said: “Obviously it helps my hand. Up to this point, if I’d gone in (Sunday), I don’t know if I could’ve contributed with a broken hand.”
Eye on Camby
Nuggets center played a team-high 40 minutes in Game 1 after missing the final week of the regular season with a hamstring injury. Camby arrived early to Monday’s practice to lift weights, get treatment and shoot.
“I feel good,” he said. “I’m a little tired. I came here a little early to get some shots up, get in the weight room, hot tub to try to get myself right. But I didn’t expect to play 40 minutes after not playing all week.”
Enjoying San Antonio
With two days off before Game 2 and practices in the morning, the Nuggets have a lot of idle time. “It’s not boring,” guard said. “It’s not like there is nothing to do. You basically just try to stay with your teammates. Go get something to eat. Catch a movie. Other than that, get as much rest as possible.”
Guard said of the break: “It’s good for both teams. We play 82 games this year. Anytime you get some rest and can do some weightlifting, you take advantage of it.”
Footnotes
Here is some potential bulletin board material if the Nuggets reach the Western Conference finals against Phoenix. Karl opined that Houston is better than the Suns, the NBA’s best regular-season team.
“Of all the teams I’ve played, Houston is the best basketball team that we’ve played,” he said. “I know Phoenix doesn’t want me to say that. Phoenix is a great team, too. But from a playoff basketball team, the Houston Rockets were very impressive.”
Asked why, Karl pointed to coach Jeff Van Gundy and star guard Tracy McGrady, among others: “They’ve got a great inside presence, Van Gundy does a great job defensive- scheme-wise, and you’ve got I think the best one-on-one perimeter player in the game right now.” …
Karl, on why Denver needs to win another game in San Antonio: “They’re not afraid of winning one game in Denver. In most really equal series, you’ve got to win two. The visiting team’s got to win two.” …
had a cold and carried tissues and a hot drink with honey with him to practice.
