PHOENIX — Nuggets coach George Karl and his players share the same feelings about the preseason.
They hate it.
But for very different reasons. Players want to make it through to real games as healthy as possible, sitting out as much as they can. Karl hates the preseason’s country club atmosphere, where players sit out as much as possible.
However, both parties are ready to get the season started. Thursday’s 116-113 loss at Phoenix brought them one step closer to that day. Today’s is the Nuggets’ last preseason game – against Portland in Redmond, Ore. – before they start the season on Halloween.
“It’s kind of frustrating,” said guard Allen Iverson, who finished with 24 points against the Suns. “But it’s getting a little better being that you get to play a little bit more as the preseason comes to an end because it’s getting more serious than it was at the beginning of preseason. I’m just looking forward to playing a little bit more and get that rhythm and trying to hopefully get into some situations that we would get into during the season, and try to see if we can execute.”
The last chance is today before the regular season begins. For the most part, the players say they will be ready to go when the season starts.
“I would like to think we’re close,” Iverson said. “We’ve been playing well in games. But we just got to take advantage of the little bit of time that we have. We can’t be satisfied with how we’re playing right now. I think we’ve got to use these days to get even better, chemistry on both ends of the court. Before you know it, the 31st is going to be there. And those guys are not going to wait for us. If we’re not ready they’re going to take advantage of us. So it’s just important for us to try to be ready.”
Said Carmelo Anthony, who had 22 points Thursday: “I can see it now out there on the basketball court. Everybody knows their roles, know what we’ve got to do. It’s looking real good out there for us.”
The Nuggets trimmed the roster to 14 after Tuesday night’s game against Milwaukee, and that’s how they will head into the season. Karl has poked and prodded during training camp, but is saving the fire-and-brimstone speeches for the regular season.
“That would not be the perfect script, but I think that’s more the mentality of pro players today,” Karl said. “Ever since they’ve been able to tell us how many hours they were allowed to practice, there seems to be a union-command of training camp. The coach could push the limit and be a dictator in that moment, or be a democratic person and use that bullet for the regular season.
“I think most of us think it’s probably wiser to wait until the regular season than push the level of anger and demand in training camp.”
Atkins hurt. Starting guard Chucky Atkins reinjured his groin in the second quarter Thursday night. He is scheduled to have an MRI today.
“I felt it pop,” he said after the game. “I’m just real sore right now.
Smith report. The police report on J.R. Smith’s incident Oct. 13 at a nightclub says he poured champagne on the victim; then, after the club let out, apologized, “then changed attitude and spit on her, used his hand to push her face and tore her dress.” He has until Monday to appear in court for the summons.
Chris Dempsey: 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com
