For the Nuggets, running postpractice sprinting drills seems as enticing as watching postseason film. But the boys in powder blue showcased their early early-season endurance after Tuesday’s practice, the first of training camp.
“We thought a lot of guys weren’t going to be in shape,” starting point guard Anthony Carter said, “but a lot of guys surprised me.”
Veteran shooting guard Allen Iverson figured he would have been more winded after a first practice, but the 33-year-old in his 13th training camp said he felt good — “a good day, a good start of the year.”
Iverson praised coach George Karl’s decision to have one long practice each day during training camp — as opposed to two shorter practices per day — though Iverson said there is a “looming” two-a-day Thursday.
Coaches will have voluntary evening practices during training camp, but Karl said primarily noncontract players will attend those sessions.
Newcomer on staff.
Longtime college assistant Larry Mangino has joined the Nuggets’ coaching staff. He will work out of Denver, though he likely won’t travel with the team. Mangino coached seven seasons at Air Force as an assistant and worked for Jeff Bzdelik, a former Nuggets coach now at Colorado. Mangino was a candidate for the Air Force head coaching job after Bzdelik left the academy for CU, but the Falcons hired Jeff Reynolds.
Sonny sidelined.
Nuggets rookie Sonny Weems didn’t practice Tuesday because of a sports hernia injury.
“I think he’s supposed to start running and shooting in the next couple days,” Karl said. “Then it’s a process.”
Karl estimates it will take two weeks for Weems, an Arkansas product, to fully return to practice.
Good first impression.
Karl said forward Renaldo Balkman was the “player of the day,” commending Balkman’s defense and glimpses of long- range shooting prowess. Denver acquired Balkman this summer in a trade. He should provide energy off the bench, in the way that Eduardo Najera (now with New Jersey) did in previous seasons.
Footnotes.
Karl spoke out Tuesday about training camp invitee Ruben Patterson, a former Nugget he clashed with during the 2006 playoffs, when Karl suspended Kenyon Martin, Patterson’s teammate and close friend. Karl said he likes Patterson and is happy to have him in camp. About the incident, Karl said: “Ruben sided with Kenyon — probably a mistake. But an understandable mistake.” . . . Karl said 6-foot-10 post player Chris Andersen could be a deep-ball threat, pointing to last season when Karl let Najera, a forward, shoot 3-pointers on a regular basis. “This is my Eddie Najera experiment gone wild,” Karl said. . . . Karl said it’s possible the Nuggets will add one of their training camp invitees to the regular-season roster, noting that Carmelo Anthony is suspended for the first two games and Weems and Chucky Atkins are rehabbing injuries.
Benjamin Hochman, The Denver Post
