The Nuggets scrapped plans to hold two-a-day practices Friday and today. Not that George Karl is thrilled about the change.
The coach said he prefers two practices, so he can send players home and have them return later if a workout gets sluggish. He allowed the change, though he has not consented to other wishes.
“Having a soft practice, a no-contact practice? I don’t know what that is in training camp,” he said Saturday. “I would think players would want a physical practice.”
Karl said the team is generally ahead of schedule. He did list the fact Nene missed his third straight day with a right hamstring strain as a concern after the forward’s fast start in practice.
“It sets him back to a point where he’s got to get healthy and in shape, and then he’s got to break into a team that’s moving forward without him right now,” Karl said. “But there’s plenty of time, and, fortunately, he’s a veteran player. He’s not a young guy who’s going to get lost.”
Guard Earl Boykins also was limited by a left groin strain. He is listed as day to day.
Footnotes
Karl said he could foresee an all-defensive team for late-game situations featuring Earl Watson and Greg Buckner at guard and forwards Eduardo Najera, Marcus Camby, Kenyon Martin or Nene. … NBA-TV will broadcast from Denver’s practice Wednesday. … Martin has donated 50 pairs of shoes for 15- to 18-year-old players, as well as coaches, at a camp in Lagos, Nigeria, run by Nuggets scout Masai Ujiri.
