SALT LAKE CITY — In Portuguese, “Nene” now means “inspiration.”
On Friday, Nene made his heart-wrenching return to the Nuggets bench, and on Saturday in Utah, the players continued to talk about his inspiring presence.
“He needs to come more often,” guard J.R. Smith said. “And when he comes, we start playing good.”
Denver beat the defending champion Spurs with Nene on the bench in street clothes, his first public appearance since removal of a cancerous testicular tumor. He underwent a sole chemotherapy treatment and is now lifting weights and running. Coach George Karl said he is hopeful Nene will return to play this season.
Nice kicks.
For the first time, Reebok is allowing fans to design their own version of a sneaker online, and that’s the sneaker of Allen Iverson. Reebok launched , where fans can customize their own versions of “The Question 3.”
“Iverson embodies personal attitude and style, so who better from our Reebok stable of athletes to have their shoe up on than Allen,” said Todd Krinsky, vice president of Sports and Entertainment Marketing for Reebok.
Fellow NBA players who wear Reeboks will sport the Question 3 in their own team colors this month, including Golden State’s Baron Davis, New York’s Jamal Crawford and Dallas’ Jason Terry.
On the website, fans also have the opportunity to “tag” their sneakers with a personal message. Iverson himself is planning to do this for the night of March 19, when he makes his anticipated return to Philadelphia. Iverson will have a message on his shoes to thank the 76ers fans for their support during his decade-plus in the city.
Benjamin Hochman, The Denver Post
