Durango – If you read between the lines, Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke seems interested in coach George Karl being with the franchise for a long time.
After this season, the Nuggets and Karl have to decide on a mutual, three-year option that would pay $9 million total. Kroenke has never been comfortable talking about contracts.
But Saturday, Kroenke spoke positively about Karl and his contract after the Nuggets’ morning practice at Fort Lewis’ Whalen Gymnasium.
“I hope George is here a long time. I think George hopes he’s here a long time. I think he likes Denver.”
An NBA source said Karl’s extension could be exercised by the start of the season. When asked about when a decision would be made, Kroenke would not give a timetable, but said: “George and I are both happy, so I think we’re in a good place.”
After Karl became coach Jan. 28, 2005, the Nuggets went 32-8 and earned a seventh seed in the playoffs. The Nuggets were 44-38 last season and won the Northwest Division.
Karl said he has had positive talks with the Nuggets’ brass about his contract.
“I feel good about my relationship, my opportunity,” Karl said. “We’ve discussed it over the summer a couple times. They have the control. I do like it in Denver. I think we have something special. I don’t think it’s far from a championship. I think everybody knows I’ve enjoyed the city and the team. There is not a negative.”
Kroenke arrived in Durango on Friday and was pleased with the results of training camp being held away from home. The last time the Nuggets held camp outside of Denver was in January 1999 in Colorado Springs.
“I’m hearing good things,” Kroenke said. “I think George is pleased that we got them off site.”
The main reason for a Durango training camp was to help the players bond. Denver has four new players with guaranteed contracts and Reggie Evans arrived last season in a midseason trade. Thursday was their only free night during the five-day camp, and the players had dinner together at a restaurant.
“We’re out here battling. We’re going at each other. It’s real tense. Guys are cursing each other out, being real physical,” center Marcus Camby said. “But in an atmosphere like dinner, it’s more peaceful, more calm and everybody gets a chance to talk and see what guys are really like outside of the basketball court.”
Blue and gold scrimmage
Forward Carmelo Anthony scored a game-high 32 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a losing effort for the Gold team in a 121-116 loss in a 40-minute intrasquad scrimmage Saturday night at Fort Lewis College.
Nene had 15 points; rookie guard Yakhouba Diawara had 25 points and Evans had 13 points and 17 rebounds.
“It’s a scrimmage – lot of good, lot of bad,” Karl said. “We aren’t in condition enough to play a 48-minute game. Our guys hung in there.”
Camby missed the scrimmage with a sore right groin.
Marc J. Spears can be reached at 303-954-1098 or mspears@denverpost.com.
