CHICAGO — George Karl wasn’t kidding. The Nuggets coach promised he would mix and match his lineups in the early weeks of the season, and Tuesday’s lineup was his third — and first featuring newcomer Arron Afflalo at shooting guard.
It was Afflalo’s first start with Denver, in part because Karl wanted an easy transition to get J.R. Smith into the game. With Smith back from a seven-game suspension, Smith, Anthony Carter and Chris Andersen are together again.
“Basically I think (Afflalo has) been good and I want to keep my bench from last year together, giving them a comfort zone to play. And I wanted to get J.R. in the game, and that’s the best way to get him in the game with guys he’s good at playing with,” Karl said.
Karl also talked about one changing facet of the game — the dynamic sixth man. From the Bulls’ Kirk Hinrich to Jamal Crawford in Atlanta to Jason Terry to Smith, NBA sixth men seem to be better than ever.
“I agree,” Karl said. “Maybe more coaches are desirous of having energy and explosiveness off their bench. Most of us play the best five players at the end of the game, but we don’t necessarily start the game that way.”
Comeback kid.
Last season, Chicago’s Luol Deng suffered a stress fracture in his leg that sidelined him from late February through the playoffs. This season he is an early candidate for most improved player in the league, playing at a higher level than before the injury.
The forward is averaging 17.3 points and 9.4 rebounds.
“He seems to be more of a committed player, more involved into plays, rather than just being a scorer,” Karl said. “His defense comes out when you watch him and he had a couple of big rebound games at the power forward position. I’ve always liked him — one of the few Duke guys I like.”
Karl, of course, is a North Carolina product.
Benjamin Hochman, The Denver Post
