DALLAS — With a reserve post player as their agenda, the Nuggets’ brass continue to work the phones, discussing deals.
While seldom-used guard Chucky Atkins and injured center Steven Hunter make the most sense, an NBA source said Linas Kleiza is a possibility to be moved too. However, it’s clear the Nuggets cherish their 23-year-old budding forward and wouldn’t just trade him for the sake of filling a hole. But Kleiza is a restricted free agent and could play in Europe next season, his agent said.
Coach George Karl and Nene have been outspoken at times about their desire for another big man off the bench.
“I think it can help us, especially with the lineup that we put out there in our second unit,” Carmelo Anthony said.
President Chauncey?
Nuggets coach George Karl has compared point guard Chauncey Billups with different roles this season — a quarterback and a general, for starters. But how about a president?
“The Nuggets’ Barack Obama? That’s a good one,” Karl said when the comparison was proposed. “I don’t know Obama well, but I hope Obama has (those qualities). I’m a big change guy. And when you make change, it’s about substance. What I’m excited about is — I know Chauncey has substance. I believe Obama has substance.
“If Chauncey walked into a room of executives, talking about the bailout, he would have a presence.”
Benjamin Hochman, The Denver Post
Denver at Houston
6:30 p.m. tonight, ALT, KCKK 1510 AM
Spotlight on Yao Ming: It should be a fascinating low- post battle with Denver’s Nene and Kenyon Martin against Yao, who has been rebounding at a high level (even for Yao). Yao averages exactly 10 rebounds per game, but in his past three games, he’s tallied totals of 13, 14 and 19. In the Nov. 30 Nuggets’ win against Houston, Yao had 18 points and 11 rebounds.
