Bruno
08-05-2005, 07:48 AM
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nuggets/article/0,1299,DRMN_20_3979662,00.html
Sources: Nuggets start with Spurs
Denver reportedly to play champions in season opener
By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News
August 5, 2005
George Karl's substitute won't exactly be able to ease into the job.
Sources said Thursday the Denver Nuggets will begin the season Nov. 1 on the road against the defending champion San Antonio Spurs. The game will be televised by TNT with NBA commissioner David Stern on hand to give the Spurs their championship rings.
The Nuggets won't have their coach against the team that knocked them out of the playoffs in last season's first round. Karl has been suspended for the first three games for watching a workout in May in Milwaukee that featured two players not yet draft eligible.
It has not been decided who will replace Karl on the bench. A leading candidate is assistant Scott Brooks, who took over late last season in a game after Karl was ejected and who coached Denver's summer-league team.
The NBA schedule will be released at 10 a.m. Monday on NBA TV, and once again the Nuggets are expected to have a number of national television appearances.
One could be their Dec. 15 TNT game in Cleveland, a matchup between Carmelo Anthony of the Nuggets and LeBron James of the Cavaliers.
Denver also opened with the Spurs the season after they won their previous NBA title. The Nuggets defeated San Antonio 80-72 at home to begin 2003-04.
KARL RECOVERING: Karl had a bit of a scare earlier this week but now is said to be doing well.
Karl underwent surgery July 28 in Salt Lake City after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. He was released from the hospital Sunday and flew to Boise, Idaho, where he has a home.
However, Bret Adams, Karl's attorney, said the NetJets private plane that carried Karl had an air- conditioning malfunction. He said that played a role in Karl becoming ill.
"It was 90 degrees in Salt Lake City," Adams said. "He vomited on the plane (before it took off)."
Adams said Karl returned to health in a few days. He said Steve Eiseman, a NetJets sales vice president who could not be reached, has "bent over backwards" to apologize and Karl will not be charged for the flight.
Adams said Karl will return to Salt Lake City on Tuesday to be examined. He said Karl could return to Denver late next week.
"It was a tough surgery, but he's on the right track," said Adams.
Adams said Karl has gotten numerous calls from top names in basketball. Well-wishers have included Charles Barkley, Larry Brown and Dean Smith.
ETC.: Before he makes a decision on rookie Ricky Sanchez, Nuggets general manager Kiki Vande-weghe wants to "get more information" on how the process will work on players sent to the NBA Development League. Players can be farmed out up to three times a season, but other details have not been finalized. Sanchez is a candidate for the NBADL or to play overseas, perhaps in Spain . . . Tony Dutt, who represents free- agent guard Derek Anderson, had not heard from the Nuggets by late Thursday afternoon about his client. Dutt said the Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Miami Heat are the top contenders for Anderson. Dutt also represents free-agent guard Nick Van Exel and said the former Nuggets player is drawing interest from the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and Spurs.
Sources: Nuggets start with Spurs
Denver reportedly to play champions in season opener
By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News
August 5, 2005
George Karl's substitute won't exactly be able to ease into the job.
Sources said Thursday the Denver Nuggets will begin the season Nov. 1 on the road against the defending champion San Antonio Spurs. The game will be televised by TNT with NBA commissioner David Stern on hand to give the Spurs their championship rings.
The Nuggets won't have their coach against the team that knocked them out of the playoffs in last season's first round. Karl has been suspended for the first three games for watching a workout in May in Milwaukee that featured two players not yet draft eligible.
It has not been decided who will replace Karl on the bench. A leading candidate is assistant Scott Brooks, who took over late last season in a game after Karl was ejected and who coached Denver's summer-league team.
The NBA schedule will be released at 10 a.m. Monday on NBA TV, and once again the Nuggets are expected to have a number of national television appearances.
One could be their Dec. 15 TNT game in Cleveland, a matchup between Carmelo Anthony of the Nuggets and LeBron James of the Cavaliers.
Denver also opened with the Spurs the season after they won their previous NBA title. The Nuggets defeated San Antonio 80-72 at home to begin 2003-04.
KARL RECOVERING: Karl had a bit of a scare earlier this week but now is said to be doing well.
Karl underwent surgery July 28 in Salt Lake City after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. He was released from the hospital Sunday and flew to Boise, Idaho, where he has a home.
However, Bret Adams, Karl's attorney, said the NetJets private plane that carried Karl had an air- conditioning malfunction. He said that played a role in Karl becoming ill.
"It was 90 degrees in Salt Lake City," Adams said. "He vomited on the plane (before it took off)."
Adams said Karl returned to health in a few days. He said Steve Eiseman, a NetJets sales vice president who could not be reached, has "bent over backwards" to apologize and Karl will not be charged for the flight.
Adams said Karl will return to Salt Lake City on Tuesday to be examined. He said Karl could return to Denver late next week.
"It was a tough surgery, but he's on the right track," said Adams.
Adams said Karl has gotten numerous calls from top names in basketball. Well-wishers have included Charles Barkley, Larry Brown and Dean Smith.
ETC.: Before he makes a decision on rookie Ricky Sanchez, Nuggets general manager Kiki Vande-weghe wants to "get more information" on how the process will work on players sent to the NBA Development League. Players can be farmed out up to three times a season, but other details have not been finalized. Sanchez is a candidate for the NBADL or to play overseas, perhaps in Spain . . . Tony Dutt, who represents free- agent guard Derek Anderson, had not heard from the Nuggets by late Thursday afternoon about his client. Dutt said the Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Miami Heat are the top contenders for Anderson. Dutt also represents free-agent guard Nick Van Exel and said the former Nuggets player is drawing interest from the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and Spurs.