Adrian Dantley jokes about it. Carmelo Anthony flat-out dismisses it.
But there is no hiding it – Anthony has taken over as the NBA’s top scorer.
Through Denver’s first eight games, Anthony has averaged 31.0 points, which as of Sunday gave him the lead over Milwaukee’s Michael Redd, who checks in at 30.3 points per game.
Anthony shrugs it off.
“It’s too early, eight games into the season,” he said. “We’re playing good right now. We hit a couple of bumps in the road in the first couple of games, but I’m liking where we’re headed.”
Dantley, a Nuggets assistant coach, jabs at him, and with serious ammo. The former NBA star averaged 30 points or more in four seasons and won the scoring crown with Utah in 1981 (30.7) and 1984 (30.6). Anthony, he chides, has done it for only three weeks.
“With the way the rules are, I’m sure he’s going to always get at least 25, because you can’t even touch a guy physically,” Dantley said.
And he warns of future potholes.
“Defenses are going to really start concentrating on him,” Dantley said. “He’s got to be ready for the next step, where you start seeing more double-teams, start seeing more of a zone-type defense loading up to him. He’s got to really be more active.
“That happens to anyone that scores on any level. They are going to see different defenses. But he’s just a good offensive player, bottom line.”
As a member of the NBA, the Nuggets have never had a player average 30 points in a season. The franchise has had just one player, forward Alex English, win an NBA scoring title. He accomplished that in 1983 with a 28.4 average.
Of Anthony, English said: “You always talk about the elite players in the league coming around every now and then. He’s one of those guys. He’s got that 3-point shot down. You know you’re going to get your minutes and points out of him every time he steps on the floor.”
Miller expected to play
Point guard Andre Miller, who suffered a sprained ankle late in Saturday’s game against Toronto, is expected to play Tuesday against Chicago, Nuggets coach George Karl said.
“I think he’s hurtin’ a little bit, but he’ll play,” Karl said. “There’s no question I think he’ll play.”
Karl said Miller “went through everything” in a short practice session Sunday.
After the game, Miller had X-rays taken, and they came back negative.
Nene could be available
Nene strode through the Nuggets locker room Saturday night wearing a pinstriped suit and a huge smile. And for good reason. The forward, who has missed the past four games with a severe knee bruise, is angling to play Tuesday night.
“The swelling is going down,” Nene said. “Now we are working to get it stronger.”
Nene is averaging 8.0 points and 4.5 rebounds in four games this season.
Footnote
Karl took Boise State’s basketball team out to dinner at Cinzetti’s restaurant in Northglenn on Sunday night. Karl’s son, Coby, plays for Boise State, which faces Colorado State tonight. Karl said he cleared the dinner through NCAA compliance.
Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.
