DENVER ? The season is only three games old, and already the Denver Nuggets are in self-destruct mode.

They've not only lost their last two games, but they're coming in a distant second in their ongoing verbal battles with the NBA officials who've visited the Pepsi Center.

A day after the NBA levied a $10,000 fine on guard Nick Van Exel, who called the officials "cowards" following Denver's loss to Milwaukee Thursday, coach Dan Issel put himself in line for a big fine of his own due to his actions in drawing an ejection Saturday night at the Pepsi Center.