Coach George Karl and Marcus Camby talked about their fondness for Charlotte guard Earl Boykins, a former Nugget, who was signed by the Bobcats on Thursday and played against the Nuggets on Saturday.
“I miss Earl,” Camby said. “I thought he was a great player. I think he still is a great player.”
Said Karl: “Some players you get closer to, and Earl and I had a little more of a one-on-one relationship and a friendship than some of my players.”
The Nuggets traded Boykins, along with Julius Hodge, to Milwaukee in January 2007 for guard Steve Blake. Camby and Karl were surprised it took so long for Boykins to be signed.
“Yes, there’s no question,” Karl said. “My gossip says Earl was holding out for a little bit more (money), but felt it was time to get back to playing, and for the next 45 to 50 games show the league that he belongs. And he does.”
Said Camby: “I’m quite sure he had other offers, I don’t know why he chose to go to Charlotte, a team that’s probably not going to make the playoffs. But to each his own.”
Najera out. Eduardo Najera missed Saturday’s game with a right lower rib bruise. He suffered the injury during the fourth quarter of Denver’s game at Memphis on Wednesday. He is considered day to day.
Hunter makes rare start. Steven Hunter made his first start as a Nugget. The last time he started a game was last season with the 76ers.
