Monday, October 22, 2001 - Kenny Satterfield nervously had his arm around Omar Cook during the final seconds of a recent preseason opener in which the Denver Nuggets narrowly defeated the Seattle SuperSonics.

Such a sight seemed odd, considering both rookies are fighting for the Nuggets' third point guard spot and could learn their fate after tonight's preseason game against Milwaukee.

But long before this battle for a Nuggets' roster spot, Satterfield and Cook became friends as teammates and opponents in Little League and high school basketball in New York City.

Which player makes the team isn't really an issue between them.

"We're friends trying to help each other," Cook said. "So this isn't going to stop us from being friends."