Von Wafer was recently called up to the Nuggets from the NBA Development League’s Colorado 14ers, but he hasn’t seen his last days in the D-League by a longshot.
Wafer’s next few days will be a back-and-forth affair.
The guard was with the team Monday against the Timberwolves, but instead of accompanying the Nuggets to San Antonio on Wednesday, he will head back to Broomfield to play in the D-League playoffs. The 14ers host Albuquerque on Wednesday night.
If Colorado wins, he’ll go to Idaho on Friday for the D-League semifinals. He says he will rejoin the Nuggets when their playoff series starts against San Antonio.
“I really want to help them win the championship, and I know we can,” Wafer said. “I’ve been with those guys all year long. I feel like they are going to need me down the stretch.”
Wafer was a D-League all-star and helped the 14ers to a 28-22 record. He says he’s not worried about the constant traveling wearing him out.
“No,” Wafer said. “You can’t worry about that. I just go as hard as I can and whenever I get tired, I get tired.”
Kleiza surprises
Forward Linas Kleiza’s performance has been eye-opening for everyone – including Nuggets coach George Karl.
Asked who he thought the biggest surprise on the team was this season, Karl said, “I’d probably give it to L.K.”
Kleiza has been especially good since March. Kleiza’s current averages are career highs in points (7.2) and rebounds (3.3). He has been a deadly 3-point shooter and has become a key player off the bench.
Footnotes
Nuggets guard J.R. Smith was late to the shootaround Monday morning and played only the last 2:20 of the Minnesota game. … Karl said he and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich are good friends, a relationship helped by a tough experience as coaches on an underachieving 2002 USA World Championship basketball team. “We spent a month together of misery in the USA games,” Karl quipped. … Monday night was Fan Appreciation Night. The organization recognized longtime season-ticket holders before the game. … Assistant coach Doug Moe missed Monday’s game because of personal reasons.
Staff writer Marc J. Spears contributed to this report.
