COLORADO SPRINGS -- Nick Van Exel was contesting jump shots. Raef LaFrentz was swishing three-pointers.
Tariq Abdul-Wahad was swishing jumpers? Dan Issel was seated?

Welcome to the NBA preseason. The Denver Nuggets opened their own with a 94-92 victory against Seattle at the World Arena.

Injured power forward Antonio McDyess sat at the end of the bench and watched the Nuggets dominate for three quarters. With his knee surgery only hours away, McDyess could take comfort that the Nuggets could hold down the fort until he returns in two or three months.