On paper, the Nuggets added only one player, Earl Watson, to their roster in the offseason. But in reality, they added two.
Voshon Lenard’s absence with a torn left Achilles tendon suffered in the season opener a year ago lingered over the team last season. With Lenard out, Denver shot just 34 percent from 3-point range, 26th in the NBA.
But Lenard fought to play the final two games of 2004-05, a nearly unheard-of recovery from that injury. And he got off to a fast start when the Nuggets began training camp Tuesday.
“I think Voshon separated from the group today,” coach George Karl said. “That’s a good sign that he’s ready to produce. He told me this summer he’s got some stuff to show people. … It’s good to have him back. He has a feel for the game that we didn’t have. He’s kind of an old-time, clever player.”
Forward Kenyon Martin added, “Vo had it on automatic for about five or six minutes.”
That’s especially good news for Lenard, considering he is not yet at full strength. He said his right ankle needs another week or so to heal. He also welcomed Denver’s decision not to buy out his $3.5 million team option, which was far from a foregone conclusion at summer’s start.
“I never questioned myself. I wanted to come back here, but it didn’t matter where I went,” he said. “I was going to be able to play, because I can play anywhere I go. That’s the mind-set that I have. It’s a business. The business part was they wanted me to come back, and I’m glad I’m back.”
Whether Lenard, with 911 career 3-pointers and a .386 3-point percentage, returns to his old starting spot at off guard remains to be seen. Karl said it’s too early to know.
Lenard added: “I’m not thinking about starting or anything. You all know what I can do when I’m healthy.”
Grgurich signs on
To fans, Tim Grgurich’s name looks like a typo. Within the NBA, his name is legendary. One of the league’s premier assistants joined the team Tuesday after settling his dispute with Portland, his former employer. The Nuggets will swap a future second-round pick with the Trail Blazers as compensation. Grgurich, who signed a one-year contract with Denver, is also famously shy and declined to talk to the media Tuesday. But others were happy to sing his praises.
“If a crisis happens, I don’t know how veteran we were at handling a problem or a crisis,” said Karl, who had Grgurich on his staff for eight years in Seattle and Milwaukee. “Grg, two things he does great. He’s a great development guy, but he’s handled crises in games about as well as any coach I’ve worked with. He makes the staff complete. All our young coaches are going to be blessed by having the opportunity to see him work.”
Footnotes
Karl sounded pleased about the first practice, saying, “They’re in great shape for camp.” … Martin practiced but rested during a late scrimmage. … Assistant coach Doug Moe, back from recent prostate surgery, attended practice, saying his new routine is “basically easy, except for the amount of pit stops you’ve got to make.” … Former University of Colorado forward Jamahl Mosley assisted at practice Tuesday.
Adam Thompson can be reached at 303-820-5447 or athompson@denverpost.com.
