Proving that it’s possible to lead from anywhere on the roster and the rotation, Nuggets guard Randy Foye goes about his business. He’s done it well this preseason.
“He’s always been the consummate pro,” Nuggets coach Brian Shaw said. “Just the leadership and the direction he’s given our team in terms of helping the young guys understand what we’re trying to do, coming in in shape and just having a feel for everything that we’re trying to do.”
Foye’s play has Shaw calling the veteran shooting guard the Nuggets’ best player through the first couple of weeks of practice.
What has Foye done?
“Exactly what I would expect,” Shaw said. “In terms of the shooting, he’s been a knock-down shooter in practice, been our most consistent shooter.”
Foye’s hot shooting in practice hasn’t translated into games, but last season he broke the Nuggets’ single-season record for 3-pointers made with 189. He entered camp embroiled in a competition for the starting shooting guard spot.
Shaw gave him the respect of having to lose the spot instead of having to win it, but Foye has not resisted any plan Shaw has.
So, after starting the first two exhibition games at shooting guard, Foye has given way to newcomer Arron Afflalo and is settling into his role as a top reserve.
“Whatever coach feels like is going to help this team win, it is what it is,” Foye said. “If it’s starting or if it’s coming off the bench I know I’m going to have a huge role. I’m not going to make it easy, but I’m never going to make this about me and Arron, because we’re teammates.
“It’s foolish to make this about me and him, who starts and who doesn’t because at the end of the day, we’re on the same team and we’re going out there and trying to accomplish something together as a team.
“There’s never a time that I’m looking or praying for anyone’s downfall. I want to see everyone be successful on our team.”
Foye, 31, came into camp “about eight or nine pounds lighter” than a season ago after an intense offseason workout program designed to gain strength and lose weight. Foye hit the weights hard and conditioned “myself for this altitude.”
Foye’s leadership hasn’t taken any backward steps. By the end of last season he was the Nuggets’ most influential locker room leader and was a big reason why the team continued to push through injuries to finish strong.
“People understood what I did for the team last year,” Foye said. “There were a lot of times where I could have allowed people to quit, but I didn’t. Just the person I am, the man I am, we continued to fight for Coach (Shaw) until the end.”
Christopher Dempsey: cdempsey@denverpost.com or
