Nuggets coach George Karl didn’t want to comment on the latest organizations to be fined for talking about college underclassmen and the dangers of doing so.
But then, given the NBA’s no-nonsense stance on those who comment about draft-ineligible players, who would?
The New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets were fined $15,000 for comments coach Byron Scott made about Texas freshman forward Kevin Durant and Ohio State freshman center Greg Oden to The Oklahoman newspaper March 19, and the San Antonio Spurs were fined $15,000 for comments coach Gregg Popovich made about Oden to the Boston Herald, which ran them on its website March 18.
Karl hasn’t publicly talked about Oden or Durant. The NBA prohibits comments about college underclassmen, even those who have declared their eligibility, until the official early entry draft list is revealed May 3.
The Hornets and Spurs join Boston and Charlotte, which were fined for comments about and contact with Durant’s family.
Karl was suspended for two games at the start of last season – and the Nuggets fined $200,000 – after Karl broke league rules by attending a predraft workout at Marquette. Karl said at the time he was there only to watch his son, Coby, a Boise State guard.
Najera still healing
Nuggets forward Eduardo Najera pointed to the area on his bruised left tibia that must feel better in order for him to return to the court.
“I don’t want to push it,” Najera said Wednesday. “Last year when I was hurt, I tried to come back too early from the knee surgery and, as a result, I had the foot problem. Now, I’m thinking more down the stretch. I missed out on a lot of fun last year.”
Najera said he hasn’t practiced, and therefore couldn’t put a percentage on how healthy he is. He has missed the Nuggets’ past three games, but plans to travel on the upcoming three-game road trip in hopes that it will feel good enough at some point to allow him to play.
“It’s still bugging me, especially when I stretch it,” he said. “So I try not to do anything. I try to do my treatment and whenever that bruise goes away and starts feeling good, then I’ll start practicing on it.”
Footnotes
Guard Allen Iverson was limited in the morning shootaround, but played against the Sonics despite an inflamed left bursa sac that required draining earlier in the day. It has bothered Iverson since February, but he is not expected to miss any games. … The Nuggets had team photo day Wednesday.
