EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Nuggets entered Saturday night’s game with a 34-16 mark, the best 50-game record in team history.
Pretty cool, right, George?
“I don’t think it means a lot to any of us,” coach George Karl said, “because we’re in a nine-team race that if you go on a three-game losing streak, you’re going to be worried about the bottom rather than the top. That’s just the way it’s going to be. Every game seemingly at an earlier stage in the season has an importance and a value.”
It hit Karl on the train — yes, train — from Washington to East Rutherford, when he found himself “cussing out” Sacramento after the Kings blew a lead to Utah, Denver’s division rival.
“When you start scoreboard watching in January, it’s kind of ridiculous,” Karl said. “But you have to.”
Mile “hi.”
On Saturday, Karl reunited with Eduardo Najera, one of his favorite former players, currently an injured Net (abdominal strain). In 27 games this season, Najera has averaged 2.9 points. He played 3 1/2 seasons with the Nuggets from 2005-08, averaging 6.1 points and 4.3 rebounds. Karl often talks about Najera’s hustle and intangibles, and said Saturday: “He’s one of the best guys in helping teams win without numbers.”
They said it.
“We don’t have a zone defense. I wish we did. We practiced one for a week, and we were awful.” — Karl
