April 2012 Denver Nuggets Wiretap

Karl Wants Nuggets To Improve Outside Shooting, Overall Athleticism

Jun 27, 2012 10:45 PM

George Karl still sees areas of improvement for the Nuggets.

“Philosophically, I think we need shooting,” Karl said. “I think we need to make more shots than we did this year. We also want to run and get more athletic.”

John Jenkins, who led the nation in effective field-goal percentage, worked out twice in Denver.

Quincy Miller, a 6-foot-9 forward who, before suffering a torn ACL drew comparison to Kevin Durant, would certainly fit Karl’s uptempo style.

“I’m an energy guy, a tough guy,” Miller said after his predraft workout in Denver. “I think I translate well and fit in well with the Nuggets. I know they run. They shoot quick, they get to the cup quick and they get to the free throw line. That’s the type of player I think I am.”

NBA.com

Tags: John Jenkins, Quincy Miller, Denver Nuggets, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Thunder, Nuggets, Spurs Express Interest In Trading Up For Beal

Jun 27, 2012 5:14 PM

Bradley Beal revealed that Sam Presti told him in an interview in Chicago that the Thunder were interested in trading up to draft him.

Oklahoma City doesn't have a selection until the No. 28 pick.

"He told me he was going to decide what they're going to do and considered getting up there," Beal said.

Beal said Denver, which picks at No. 20, also made a similar statement.

In order to draft Beal, the Thunder would almost certainly need to trade James Harden. League sources said Oklahoma City would be unable to avoid tax issues if they had Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Harden and Serge Ibaka under lucrative contracts.

Trading for Harden could make sense for a team like the Bobcats, though there is no guarantee he would be willing to sign a long-term extension.

"I've heard it a lot," Beal said of the Thunder scenario. "It's really interesting. I would love to play with Kevin Durant. (Russell) Westbrook, great point guard. Just the whole team. It's young; I would love to play with a young team. They play fast. I'd love to get up and down, shoot the ball. Overall, whatever situation I Iand in I'll be happy."

Presti and Billy Donovan have had multiple conversations on the phone about Beal, as well.

A source with direct knowledge of the situation said, "Oklahoma City exhausted every opportunity on campus to find out everything they could find out about Beal. They've done everything they can."

The Spurs have also been interested in moving up to draft Beal.

Andy Katz/ESPN

Tags: Bradley Beal, Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Warriors Talking To Denver About Swapping No. 7 For Chandler

Jun 27, 2012 11:52 AM

The Nuggets have been fielding several trade calls on some of their depth of young players.

One move that has been discussed is sending Wilson Chandler to the Warriors for the No. 7 pick.

Chris Broussard/ESPN (via Twitter)

Tags: Wilson Chandler, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Jenkins Has Second Workout With Nuggets

Jun 22, 2012 1:51 AM

John Jenkins got a second workout with the Nuggets.

“I feel like it went just as well as my last workout ,” Jenkins said. “That’s what I wanted to come in here and do: play hard, play aggressive and play good defense. I feel like I did that today."

“I’ve gotten wiser through this whole process. You go to different teams and you play against different guys and your competitiveness goes up and it brings the best out in you.”

Jenkins led the SEC in scoring each of the last two seasons.

NBA.com

Tags: John Jenkins, Denver Nuggets, Southeastern Conference, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NBA Draft Workouts

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Karl Endorses Dunlap As Bobcats Coach

Jun 19, 2012 10:38 PM

George Karl praised the Bobcats for hiring Mike Dunlap.

“To hire a guy of knowledge and character and service more than spin and perception is something that makes me feel great,” Karl said. “The basketball gods kind of rewarded the right stuff.”

Karl described Dunlap, who worked as an assistant in Denver from 2006-09, as “probably the most intelligent guy I ever talk to about the game of basketball.”

“Mike provides insight that I’ve never had anybody deliver,” Karl said. “When you talk to him off the court, he could be Socrates. On the court, he’s an intense, competitive SOB.”

NBA.com

Tags: Charlotte Hornets, Denver Nuggets, NBA

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Karl Likes Direction Of Nuggets

Jun 12, 2012 10:22 AM

The Nuggets have turned their direction to what George Karl believes will be a positive future.

"The truth of the matter is, we've regrouped and reshaped our team in a very positive way," Karl said. "I feel as confident with this team as the year when we went to the Western Conference finals from the standpoint of where our future is. Why that fell apart? I came out with cancer, we had a tough year and Melo (Carmelo Anthony) has to be traded, it goes goofy. But in general, since the Chauncey (Billups) trade, the Nuggets have been in a very good place and have done their jobs in a very positive way.”

Denver finished 38-28 during the regular season, losing to the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs.

"There's very few seasons that end as well as I think our season ended," Karl said. "But in the same sense, I think we've got to be a little cautious of being too optimistic. But the summer is fun for us. We've always loved the summer. ... And hey, we've got good young players. In the end we might have too many good young players, but that's going to be Masai (Ujiri, Nuggets executive VP of basketball operations) and his (team president Josh Kroenke's) problem. My problem is to make them as confident and ready to go next year."

Denver Post

Tags: Denver Nuggets, NBA

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Jordan Hamilton Not Satisfied With Rookie Season, Plans To Spend Summer At Nuggets Practice Facility

Jun 6, 2012 12:55 AM

Jordan Hamilton was the first Nuggets player to return to the team’s practice facility for full-scale individual workouts.

“I came back early because most guys after their rookie season they think that’s it’s time to have fun and time to enjoy the summer,” Hamilton said after a recent training session.

“I just feel like it’s time for me to get better. I wasn’t really satisfied with sitting on the bench, so I’m just putting in extra work to get better every day.”

Hamilton is eager to improve his defense, both on and off the ball.

“They said offensively I had it, but defensively they wanted me to get better,” Hamilton said of the feedback he received from coaches. “If I continue to do those things for the summer, I think I’ll have a chance to get a lot more minutes next year and get in the rotation.”

NBA.com

Tags: Jordan Hamilton, Denver Nuggets, NBA

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Nuggets Targeting Royce White With No. 20 Pick

Jun 3, 2012 12:27 PM

Denver is reportedly targeting Royce White with the twentieth pick in the upcoming NBA draft.

White’s draft stock went up after scoring 23 points and grabbing nine rebounds in Iowa State's 87-71 loss against Kentucky in the NCAA South Regional.

White’s size and versatility have drawn comparison to a young Jamal Mashburn.

SI.com

Tags: Royce White, Denver Nuggets, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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