What a long, strange notes column it’s been. …
George Karl has his health. Now if he just could have gotten his shooting guard.
That would be Michael Finley. Privately, the Nuggets’ braintrust thought Finley would give them a long look, what with his close relationship with Kiki Vandeweghe and all. Instead, they didn’t make Finley’s short list. Or long one, for that matter.
Finley, released by the Mavericks two weeks ago, has narrowed his choices to Miami, San Antonio, Minnesota and Phoenix. The development came as a surprise to the Nuggets, including Karl, who developed a relationship with Finley when he coached him at the 2002 world championships.
“I can’t deny that I was a little disappointed we didn’t get a better shot,” Karl said. “He’s kind of what we need. … We don’t have a great, knock-down 3-point shooter. I had him in the (world championships) and I thought he was a great professional.” …
Any chance Finley could change his mind and give the Nuggets a chance? Let’s put it this way. Karl called him twice, and he’s still waiting for a return call. …
So it’s official, then. Those “I beat Maurice Clarett in the 40″ T-shirts are collector’s items. Not that Slow Mo’s lack of speed was why the Broncos cut him. It was all about attitude. Kid has more makeup issues than Tammy Faye Baker. …
Let the record show that Clarett forced Mike Shanahan‘s hand. Shanahan and running backs coach Bobby Turner knew before training camp that they might have to stash Clarett on the practice squad. But that was before Clarett alienated himself from everyone who crossed his path, leaving Shanahan with no options. …
Clarett talked a good game in the days after being drafted, but he got in the doghouse before camp ever started when he reported at 248 pounds. He was down to 235 by last week, but it was too late. …
So much for Clarett. The biggest story at Dove Valley is the Broncos just cut three pretty good football players – Raylee Johnson, Luther Elliss and Patrick Hape. It was a professional courtesy to let them go so early. With Clarett, it was a matter of cleaning up the air pollution in the locker room. …
Just wondering: What would you have said if I had told you, circa early July, that Clarett would get lopped off the roster before hoopster-turned-tight end Wesley Duke? Duke survived the first cut, an obvious sign that the coaches have plans for him on the practice squad. …
Let’s cut to the chase on the Broncos’ red-zone issues. The Chiefs scored 62 touchdowns last season, the Bronx 42. …
The number, in case you’re wondering, has grown to eight. That’s how many times the Astros have been shut out with Roger Clemens on the mound. …
How much bigger are today’s NFL players compared with previous generations? The St. Paul (Minn.) Pioneer Press’ Charley Walters points out that Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper, at 264 pounds, is bigger than 63 of the 69 offensive and defensive linemen in the Hall of Fame. …
Ex-Rockie Todd Walker could be on the move again. The Cubs, all but out of the NL wild-card race, are expected to ship him to Cleveland. …
The Bears have decided on rookie Kyle Orton as their starting quarterback. What, like they had options? Jack Concannon is the second-best QB in town. …
Oh, well, at least Clarett was a nice kid. Or not. To wit: A reporter encountered him in the Dove Valley dining room on reporting day and asked him if he had finalized his contract. Responded Clarett: “You’re not allowed to ask questions here. This is our personal space.”
Catch Jim Armstrong from 6-9 a.m. during “The Press Box” on ESPN 560 AM and Thursday night on Fox Sports Net’s “Insider Edition.” He can be reached at 303-820-5452 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
