Los Angeles – In an attempt to liven up the first week of the regular season, the NBA scheduled teams that faced off in the playoffs last spring. For the series winners, the games are a reminder of all that went well.
For the Nuggets, tonight’s season opener against the Los Angeles Clippers is a reminder of all that went wrong. All of which has Denver coach George Karl eager to get a new season underway.
“We’re a totally different team. I think they’re the same team,” Karl said. “I think we’re going to play totally different and aggressive, and we’re totally healthy. Why would I even think back to it?”
The sixth-seeded Clippers beat up the third-seeded Nuggets, who seemed to implode from within. Kenyon Martin was suspended for conduct detrimental to the team for the final three games of the series.
“They beat us. They almost swept us,” Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony said. “So of course that’s in the back of our minds. But it’s a new season. A new year. We’re ready to take on the challenge.”
While the Nuggets went back to Denver in disarray, the Clippers advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 1976, when the franchise was located in Buffalo, N.Y. Los Angeles lost in seven games in the second round to Phoenix.
“Man, that was great,” said Clippers guard Shaun Livingston about knocking off Denver. “It was a breaking point for us. A turning point. We were moving on to bigger and better things. We were gaining confidence and experience the farther we went.”
The Nuggets aren’t getting much national media attention entering the season, but with a healthy team and new additions, Denver believes it has a better chance than a year ago of getting out of the first round.
The Nuggets will arrive at the Staples Center relatively healthy tonight with only minor bumps and bruises. Denver will unveil a new up-tempo offense that averaged 115.5 points per game in the preseason. The Nuggets gave the Clippers a glimpse of what their offense could do by whipping them 112-86 in both teams’ preseason finale last Friday in Los Angeles.
“I know they made some changes (in the offseason), and those guys shot real well against us,” Clippers forward Elton Brand said. “I’m not sure how proficient they’re going to be, but they sure hit a lot of 3s (Friday).”
Said Clippers swingman Corey Maggette: “They’ve obviously got some guys who worked really hard on their shot. I think they’re going to be all right.”
Anthony returns as a captain after leading Team USA in scoring during the 2006 world championships. Shooting guard J.R. Smith will make his Nuggets regular-season debut after averaging 14.4 points in 27.8 minutes per game in the preseason. And after the Nuggets dangled Martin in trade talks, he is still on the team and all parties seem to have moved on.
The Clippers opened the regular season at Phoenix on Wednesday night. After two days of NBA regular-season play, the Nuggets finally get on the court.
“It’s boring when you have (several) days off before the first game of the regular season,” Anthony said. “You are so hyped up anticipating the first game. It’s so high. We’re ready to go out there and play.”
Said center Marcus Camby: “We’re just happy for a new start of a new season.”
Staff writer Marc J. Spears can be reached at 303-954-1098 or mspears@denverpost.com.
