In an effort to give Dallas fans a chance to cheer for one of their all-stars, Nuggets coach George Karl says he likely will start Dirk Nowitzki in Sunday’s All-Star Game.
The starting spot opened when Lakers star Kobe Bryant was officially pulled from the contest. Bryant has been nursing a foot injury that has kept him out of the Lakers’ last two games.
“My gut feeling is I would choose either Chauncey (Billups) or Dirk, and to be honest with you, I’d probably lean toward Dirk,” said Karl, who will coach the West all-stars.
Karl said the venue was the reason why.
“Yeah, the karma of the game is 100,000 people,” Karl said. “I think it would be good to give Dallas a representative. They’ve had a good year.”
Karl and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich joked in separate interviews about how extensively the Nuggets coach would play aging San Antonio star Tim Duncan. Karl said he’d keep Duncan’s minutes under control in exchange for a case of wine.
What Karl wants most is a competitive All-Star Game. He may or may not get his wish.
“That’s the one thing that’s going to be interesting,” Karl said. “Personally, I would like the game to be a pretty intense battle, but I have a feeling it’s probably going to be more of a Broadway show than an NBA basketball game.
“Whatever it is, whatever it becomes, I hope it comes off well and we all enjoy it. There will be a moment where in my lifetime, I’ll be able to say I coached the game that had the most people to watch it, maybe ever. That’s pretty cool too.”
Footnotes. Spurs guard Tony Parker was a late scratch due to a strained left hip flexor. George Hill started in his place. Parker has missed two of the three games vs. Denver this season. . . . Kenyon Martin (knee) and Renaldo Balkman (back) missed the game as well.
