The Nuggets lost eight times out of 40 last season under coach George Karl. After their 102-95 loss to the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets on Wednesday night at the Pepsi Center, they have lost eight of 16 games this season.
Then again, Karl hasn’t attended three of this season’s losses.
With Denver already wracked with injuries, the NBA shortened the other end of the Nuggets’ bench with a surprise two-game suspension of Karl for his criticism of the officiating in his team’s loss to New Jersey on Monday.
Denver’s third home loss in nine games comes after the team lost just once in 20 regular-season tries last season. The Nuggets (8-8) have allowed an average of 103.4 points in their past five games after giving up just 83.3 in the previous four.
“It’s not easy to lose, but it’s all part of the game,” said assistant Scott Brooks, who is 0-for-3 in the hot seat after covering for another Karl suspension to start the season. “I’m not saying you have to accept it. You have to learn from it. But it’s part of the process. One of these days I will be a head coach, and I know you’re going to have bad streaks.”
Brooks would not hide behind the fact that he had only a few hours to prepare. Instead, in a postgame news conference reminiscent of the Nuggets’ last interim coach, the often sunshiney Michael Cooper, Brooks praised the work of his team, his opponents and even the referees. After Karl’s deconstruction of the zebras exiled him from the building, Brooks called NBA officials “the best in the world” when asked about a late, questionable technical foul to Earl Watson after the game was all but decided.
The tone was different in Denver’s locker room, where most players talked quietly and Ken- yon Martin, after a 2-for-9, four- point night, did not talk at all.
“We wanted to win so bad for Scotty since we got out to such a bad start early in the season,” said center Marcus Camby, who had 16 points, 16 rebounds and eight blocks. “It’s an unfortunate situation what happened with (Karl). But, we’re behind him. We wished we had him.”
The Nuggets wished they had a lot of people Wednesday. With Nene and Bryon Russell out with long-term injuries, they also went without star forward Carmelo Anthony (sprained left ankle) and defensive stopper Greg Buckner (inflamed left knee). Among the remaining 10 rotation players, Martin, Eduardo Najera, Earl Boykins and Francisco Elson are coming off recent injuries – though a postgame X-ray on Elson’s right foot found no damage.
“We usually play well when guys are out of the lineup,” Camby said. “It’s our first time experiencing Carmelo being out of the lineup. He brings so much to the table. Scoring, attention to the other defense on how much he draws. He was definitely missed out there today.”
Hornets forward Desmond Mason entered the game averaging 7.4 points but poured in 26 to lead his team, which erased a nine-point, first-half deficit. For the Nuggets, Andre Miller’s 33 points were four off his career high. The Nuggets got the stop they needed in the final minute down 96-93 when P.J. Brown missed an 18-foot jump shot. But Mason rebounded, leading to two Chris Paul free throws.
It was that kind of night for the Nuggets and Brooks. Most of the postgame levity came from the Hornets (7-7), with quotes like the one delivered by former Nugget Chris Andersen.
“Scott did a great job,” he said. “He was on the floor yelling. He looked like he knew what he was doing. But I still love him.”
Staff writer Adam Thompson can be reached at 303-820-5447 or athompson@denverpost.com.
