Opportunity reached Anthony Roberson’s feet at the expense of Anthony Carter’s broken hand. He hopes he’s ready to seize it.
“I think anybody in this league can play, they just need their opportunity to show what they can do,” Roberson said. “So, you’re always looking for an opportunity. When you put pressure on yourself, that’s when you mess up.”
Roberson has bounced between the NBA Development League and the NBA, playing for Memphis in 2005-06 and Golden State last season. He will be ready to grab his opportunity tonight when the Nuggets open their preseason schedule against the L.A. Clippers at the Pepsi Center.
He isn’t alone. Injuries to Nuggets regulars are providing opportunities for several longshots.
Jelani McCoy, a 6-foot-10 center, is looking to get back into the NBA for an eighth season. He earned an invitation to training camp after a summer-league stint with the Nuggets. He dismisses the pressure to make a roster.
“I’ve done it before,” he said. “All you can do is make sure you’re doing your best every day and trying to put yourself in a position to make the team. So if you start worrying about making the team, you’re going to play too many games with yourself.”
It is believed guard Von Wafer has made the team, and that has been comforting for the former Florida State standout who played with the Colorado 14ers of the D-League last season. It, however, hasn’t eased his mind about where he stands. He’ll be a role player, a guy designated to come off the bench and shoot.
“I’m just going to try to play my role, just steal some minutes here and there. I’m not thinking about shots. I just want a chance to play and get confidence.”
Footnotes: Carter will have surgery today to place screws into the third metacarpal in his right hand, which he fractured during practice Saturday. He will be out four to six weeks. “I was thinking about playing (him) some substantial minutes,” Karl said. “How we get back to that, how we do without him, it puts a little frustration in the coaching meetings because I think he, defensively, was going to lead us.”
Chris Dempsey: 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com
