DENVER ? Call them the "Shaq Rules."

Raef LaFrentz does, in essence.

The Denver Nuggets forward, like just about every other NBA player, is anxious to see how the NBA's new rules permitting zone defenses will affect the game.

Players are beginning to get a little feel for the situation after several preseason games, but they're still in the trial-and-error stage. The Nuggets (1-3 in exhibitions) make their Pepsi Center debut tonight at 7 when they host Dallas. A three-game homestand continues Monday (Milwaukee) and Wednesday (Chicago).

But LaFrentz doesn't need to have much first-hand experience to feel that the NBA implemented the rule changes to give opponents more of a chance against the Los Angeles Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal, the 7-1, 330-pound center who often steamrolled opposing big men under the old system.

"I assume they made those rules because of Shaq; they're made to handicap him," LaFrentz said recently.