This season, just like last season, will start off with injury rehabilitation for Nuggets guard Chucky Atkins.
Atkins underwent surgery on a torn meniscus today, six days before training camp begins. Nuggets coach George Karl said he does not expect to see Atkins before the season begins.
“I don’t think he’ll get any training camp in,” Karl said.
The team said Atkins starting having pain about two weeks ago playing in pickup games. Surgery was decided after an MRI was taken Monday.
“I feel bad for Chucky,” Karl said. “Some of our guys went down and visited him in Orlando about two or three weeks ago and said he was in great shape, and playing great and was doing more work and conditioning than he’s ever done before.”
Atkins, who played in just 24 games last season because of a groin injury and hernia surgery, is expected to be the Nuggets starting point guard. Now, that door is back open for Anthony Carter, who took over and ran with the role last season. Carter signed a one-year contract extension with the Nuggets in the summer.
To fill a thin point guard void, Karl said the Nuggets expect to add former Michigan State guard Mateen Cleaves and possibly former Virginia Tech guard Jamon Gordon to the preseason roster.
As for the regular season, which for the Nuggets starts on Oct. 29 at Utah, Karl said he’ll experiment with the rotation at lead guard.
“I think you’ll see me mess around with point-forward and J.R. (Smith),” Karl said.
Chris Dempsey: 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com
