On Monday, Nuggets coach George Karl introduced — gasp! — offense back into practice. And he liked the results.
“It went good,” Karl said. “(It’s) the first time we talked offense. We still did our good work defensively. I think we’re moving in a good direction.”
In an attempt to get his team to improve at the defensive end, the Nuggets emphasized defense all last week, the first week of training camp. They scrimmaged without having put in any offensive concepts. Monday’s scrimmage was the first after Karl and his coaches installed plays.
Footnotes.
Guard Allen Iverson missed practice because of a bruised left knee but is not expected to be out for long. . . . A number of players are banged up, most notably Chris Andersen (calf) and Steven Hunter (knee), but Karl is not worried about any of them missing significant time.
The lack of players, particularly guards, meant point guard Anthony Carter played extended minutes during the scrimmage.
“I needed a break, man,” Carter said, laughing. “I was going 25 minutes straight. So J.R. (Smith) came in.
“I’m just trying to make sure I’m in shape. I’m already in shape; I’m just trying to go as many minutes as (Karl) needs me. It’s crazy. I’m like 197 pounds. I came in at 210.”
Chris Dempsey, The Denver Post
