San Antonio – David Stern will be at Game 3 on Saturday night in Denver, but the question remains: Will the NBA commissioner be there as a spectator or to also hand Nuggets center Marcus Camby the defensive player of the year award, which will be announced today?
NBA sources said Thursday that Stern made plans last week to be in Denver for Game 3 vs. San Antonio. However, an award winner typically gets his trophy at a home playoff game. Stern will be in Oakland, Calif., tonight to give Golden State guard Monta Ellis the most improved player award before the Warriors’ Game 3 against Dallas.
“Until they officially announce it or I see it across the (TV) screen, I don’t get my hopes up,” Camby said Thursday.
“It would be the greatest award I’ve received, other than college player of the year (at the University of Massachusetts in 1996). There are so many great people that won the award.”
Camby, who said he does not receive a bonus from the team if he wins the award, averaged an NBA-best 3.3 blocked shots this season as well as 11.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals. The 6-foot-11, 235-pounder is a two-time all-defensive second-team selection. The only Nugget to be named defensive player of the year was Dikembe Mutombo in 1995.
“I just try to be consistent with rebounding the basketball and blocking shots and having trust from my teammates that if they get beat I’ll be there to block a shot,” Camby said. “I led the league in blocks and finished top four in rebounding. I try to be consistent with that.”
Karl likes team’s focus
Nuggets coach George Karl said Thursday there is plenty to build upon after San Antonio’s Game 2 victory.
Karl said the fourth quarter was the best period his team has played in the playoffs. Denver trailed by 17 points midway through the fourth before going on a 21-7 run to come within 91-88 in the final minute.
“We kept playing,” Karl said after Thursday’s optional practice at the Pepsi Center. “We had four or five opportunities to say, ‘Hey, we won one, let’s go back to Denver. Let’s let them have this one.’ But we didn’t do that. We stayed in the game, stayed focused.”
The team returned home late Wednesday night, and none of the starters practiced Thursday. J.R. Smith had a slightly twisted ankle but continued to practice.
