If other Western Conference coaches vote for all-star reserves the way Nate McMillan plans to, it could mean good news for forward Carmelo Anthony and bad news for his Nuggets teammate, center Marcus Camby.
With the West overloaded with strong forwards such as Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, Elton Brand, Shawn Marion, Pau Gasol and Anthony, a quality candidate will get frozen out unless coaches decide to do what Portland’s coach is considering at center.
“Camby has done well,” McMillan said. “But I think you have to look at the fact that he has missed some games lately. If you look at the center spot, it really depends on how you want to vote for Nowitzki. Do you vote him in as a center or do you vote him in as a power forward? If you put him in as a center, you probably take away that vote for Camby.”
McMillan, who also is using a team’s record as a criterion, listed Anthony in the group of elite forwards he is considering.
“The league will have to look at the fact that maybe there isn’t another center or enough centers to bring one to take those positions,” he said. “Just have all forwards.”
For his part, Nuggets coach George Karl said he would ask his assistants to help him with his picks, which are due Monday, and break any ties with a second vote.
Asked if he might keep an opposing player off his ballot to help his own guys, Karl replied, “You do a little bit of that, but I don’t think I’m smart enough to figure that out. I think it’s just better just to vote.”
Martin sits out
Forward Kenyon Martin missed his first game since his January resurgence. His surgically repaired left knee flared up after he took a hard fall in practice Friday.
Karl expects him to play Monday at Golden State.
In other Denver injury news, trainer Jim Gillen said forward Nene continues to progress since in recovering from right knee surgery. Gillen said Nene would likely begin on-court work after the all-star break.
Footnote
Karl has emotional reasons to root for his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl today.
McMillan has a more pragmatic incentive to favor Seattle. “The owner for the Seahawks owns our team. If I feel indifferent, you wouldn’t know that,” he said, referring to Paul Allen.
