Francisco Elson’s odd, all-or-nothing season continued Saturday night with a start following two consecutive games with no time played.
With the Nuggets’ 110-94 win over the Orlando Magic, they stand 23-14 in Elson’s starts. Coach George Karl gave him the nod with Kenyon Martin sitting out because of tendinitis after reinjuring his left knee Friday at Houston.
“Somebody’s hurt so somebody’s got to fill in,” Elson said in less than a sing-songy voice.
Karl said Elson’s record as a starter prompted the move, and that he understands Elson’s unhappiness with not playing. At the same time, he is trying to feel out how to use newly acquired Reggie Evans.
“I don’t think I have the opportunity to experiment,” Karl said. “I think I’ve got to find out. Playing Francisco 10 minutes and Reggie 10 minutes, I don’t think I’m going to find out. I’m happy that he’s going to get another opportunity to play tonight, but I’ve got to find out about Reggie, how he fits and who he fits with. The best way for me to do that is put him on the court.”
Overall, Karl said he feels his team has rebounded better since the arrival of Evans and Ruben Patterson, saying he feels he now has two good rebounders on the court most of the time. Evans entered Saturday with 22 rebounds in 59 minutes and had another team-high 10 in 35 1/2 minutes against the Magic.
Coming or going?
Denver general manager Kiki Vandeweghe said he plans to talk to free-agent guard Jon Barry today about a possible workout. The Nuggets have no open roster spot, so they would have to cut a player or wait until Howard Eisley’s 10-day contract expires March 12. Wesley Person and Fred Hoiberg remain under consideration as well.
Boy, oh, Boykins
Denver point guard Earl Boykins entered Saturday shooting just 31 percent (31-for-100) in his previous nine games. He went 9-of-14 and scored 21 points against Orlando.
“Earl came through big for us today,” Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony said. “I don’t like to say slump or anything like that. I don’t know what to call it. He got out of his shell today.”
