The Charlotte Bobcats have signed Juwan Howard, the veteran forward who was with Denver in training camp and early in the season.
After the trade for Chauncey Billups, the Nuggets waived Howard and saved money doing so, though at the time, coach George Karl wanted Howard to be on the team because Howard provided low-post insurance. In the preseason, Denver management decided to save money by trading center Marcus Camby and not offering forward Eduardo Najera a contract, because Najera sought a fourth year on his deal (which New Jersey ultimately gave him).
“Juwan is a sore spot for some of us, because we as a coaching staff liked his professional approach,” Karl said today. “I think he would be even a stronger and more powerful influence with Chauncey. But circumstances of organizations have different philosophies, and even though I would like to complain, my true belief is — this summer, (owner) Stan Kroenke had a plan. He made it very clear. It wasn’t necessarily a plan I was enthusiastic about. It was a scary plan at times. But the coaching staff went to work, and in a very strange way, I think the plan has strengthened the organization – the communication and the commitment.”
Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com
