BISMARCK, N.D. — On Sunday, the bedazzling all-star anchored the Nuggets’ offense from the backcourt, unleashing crossovers and crisp passes with ease. Alas, the injured Allen Iverson didn’t play.
Yes, it was Carmelo Anthony often running the offense in Sunday’s 111-107 preseason loss to Minnesota. In the first quarter alone, the forward tallied five assists, and he finished tied with a team-high seven (and 15 points) in 28 minutes. Coach George Karl gave the Timberwolves a taste of what many teams might see this season — a dynamic Melo.
“My whole thing with Melo is to move him around,” Karl said, “and not let anybody know where he’s going to be leading our offense from. It could be up front, in the pick-and-roll, in the post, elbow. Just moving him around to get a feel for how they’ll crowd him or double-team him.”
This preseason, Karl has preached passing — more specifically, the idea of working the ball around more, dribbling around less. Who said superstars aren’t coachable?
“It’s something I wanted to expand on,” Anthony said from a cramped locker room at the Bismarck Civic Center. “I was just trying to get the guys some confidence, to know they’re going to get the ball. I’m just trying to put them in position to make plays. I think if I start doing that now, it will carry over to the regular season.”
This preseason, Karl has also preached shot selection. And often on Sunday, Denver shot itself in the foot instead. Yes, there were good stints, such as the Anthony-inspired first quarter, but there were abysmal stints where Denver forced shots, which led to Minnesota fast breaks.
Once again, the worst shot decision came at the absolute worst time of the game. And, once again, the shooter was J.R. Smith.
In the game against Utah last week at the Pepsi Center, Smith heaved an airball 3-pointer in the final seconds instead of driving to the basket or looking to pass. On Sunday, he again heaved an airball 3-pointer in the final seconds. Against Utah, the game was tied, but against Minnesota, the Timberwolves were leading by two, so Kevin Ollie got the ball and was fouled, icing the game with two free throws. On the bench, Karl hid his head in his hands.
“That shot was J.R.’s decision, and he continues to take incredibly tough shots,” Karl said after the game. “And I have no idea how he expects to be on the court if he continues to do that in the end of games.”
Smith actually played pretty well, finishing with 14 points on 6-for-9 shooting in 23 minutes. The previous game, on Friday against Phoenix, Smith was 8-for-10 for 19 points. But, for now, it seems Karl can trust him in the second quarter but not the fourth.
As for Iverson, he spent Sunday back in Denver, nursing a sore right ankle. The all-star won’t be with the team for Tuesday’s game in Edmonton against the Toronto Raptors. In addition, center Steven Hunter is in Denver, resting his wounded right knee.
DENVER (107)
Anthony 6-13 3-3 15, Martin 6-9 0-0 12, Nene 4-6 2-3 10, Carter 7-13 3-4 17, J.Smith 6-9 0-0 14, Jones 2-5 0-0 4, Parker 3-4 0-2 9, Kleiza 1-8 11-12 13, Andersen 0-3 6-8 6, Balkman 2-6 0-0 4, Patterson 1-1 1-2 3, Fazekas 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 38-79 26-34 107.
MINNESOTA (111)
Gomes 8-13 1-1 20, Madsen 1-2 0-0 2, Jefferson 7-16 1-2 15, Foye 2-5 8-8 12, Miller 8-10 0-0 17, Brewer 2-9 4-6 8, C.Smith 4-6 5-7 13, Telfair 3-4 0-0 7, Love 2-3 1-2 5, Carney 1-5 1-2 3, Richard 1-1 0-0 2, Ollie 0-0 4-4 4, Ahearn 1-2 0-0 3. Totals 40-76 25-32 111.
Denver 27 24 32 24 — 107
Minnesota 34 23 26 28 — 111
3-point goals — Denver 5-13 (Parker 3-3, J.Smith 2-5, Balkman 0-1, Kleiza 0-4), Minnesota 6-15 (Gomes 3-5, Telfair 1-1, Ahearn 1-2, Miller 1-3, Brewer 0-1, Foye 0-1, Carney 0-2). Fouled out — Balkman, Love. Rebounds — Denver 43 (Kleiza 6), Minnesota 49 (Jefferson 8). Assists — Denver 23 (Anthony, Carter 7), Minnesota 27 (Foye 15). Total fouls — Denver 23, Minnesota 22. A — 6,081 (10,000).
Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com
