OAKLAND, Calif. — Today is the day all of Denver has awaited — yep, today’s the first Nuggets practice for Cheikh Samb.
Also, Chauncey Billups will practice.
“I have a feeling he’ll pick up our offense pretty quick,” Nuggets coach George Karl said, whose team practices today in Denver, leading up to Friday’s game against Dallas. “Some of the stuff that Detroit runs, we run. So we’ll be able to run those plays pretty consistently, in a pattern. You just want enough, eight, nine, 10 plays.”
Billups and Samb, acquired Monday from Detroit, arrived in Denver on Wednesday, Antonio McDyess did not. McDyess’ camp has requested a buyout, and the plan is to do just that, waiving the former Nugget, which would help the team reduce its payroll.
As for Billups, a Denver native, Karl said, “The next three or four days will be special with two home games, and I think the fans will support him.”
Billups will take his physical in Denver this morning.
Karl said it’s likely Billups will start Friday’s game, instead of Anthony Carter. On Wednesday, Karl started Dahntay Jones at shooting guard for his defensive presence on the court. It’s uncertain, though, when Karl will replace Jones with J.R. Smith in the lineup.
No more A.I.
Karl said that coaching the Nuggets will be weird without having Allen Iverson, now a Piston, at his disposal.
“There’s going to be an emptiness,” Karl said. ” ‘Can’t run that play, can’t run that play, that one won’t work.’ It’s an adjustment period that is going to have to transpire.”
Iverson didn’t miss a game last season, and finished with 26.4 points per game.
Benjamin Hochman, The Denver Post
