Nuggets make peace
April 28, 2010 17:52:16 UK
No more infighting and insults. The Denver Nuggets insist they're back to being buddies and are ready to salvage their season.
Carmelo Anthony said he was misunderstood when he said he couldn't beat the Utah Jazz all by himself. He said everyone needs to step it up in Game 5 Wednesday night, him included.
"A lot of people took what I said when I said I needed help the wrong way. But I talked to my teammates. They know what I meant," Anthony said after Tuesday's practice.
"We talk basketball every day, so they know I'm not pointing nobody out individually.
"I'm not saying I'm playing the best I can play. I'm in there with them. We're all losing together.
Acting coach Adrian Dantley, who called out Anthony for his nine turnovers despite a 39-point performance in Denver's Game 4 loss, said it's just an oddity, that's all, that a player could put up such big numbers on both ends of the spectrum.
Anthony said he didn't begrudge his coach for his critical comments. "If that's how he felt, maybe I've got to do a better job of taking care of the basketball, not getting so many charges and just being aware of what's going on out there," Anthony said.
"I can't dispute what the head coach is saying. He's on the sideline. If he sees that problem, then I've got to fix it."
The Nuggets insist there's no lingering negativity. "The locker room is fine," Anthony said.
"We had a great practice today. Everybody seemed to be on the same page as of right now. And tomorrow, we're going to go out there and battle."
The Nuggets must win three straight to avoid a first-round knockout by a team they were favored to beat, especially after center Mehmet Okur ruptured his left Achilles' tendon in Game 1, leaving the Jazz with just three regular starters.
On Wednesday's Game Lines, Denver Nuggets are -7.0 at 1.86, Utah Jazz are +7.0 at 1.95.
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