The Nuggets have been welcoming back past players throughout the season as part of the franchise’s 50th anniversary celebration. But the “decade night” that most resonates with the team’s current young core is the 2000s.
Starting small forward Will Barton said he would “make sure” to meet Allen Iverson, who was honored alongside Kenyon Martin and Marcus Camby during a halftime ceremony Friday night.
“He did it his way,” Barton said, highlighting Iverson’s tattoos, cornrows and fashion in addition to his flashy playing style. “A bucket-getter. He’s an icon, man. He changed the game forever.”
Iverson played for the Nuggets from 2006-08 and averaged 25.6 points and 7.1 assists per game. Martin played for Denver from 2004-11 and averaged 12.3 points and seven rebounds per game. Camby was with the Nuggets from 2002-08 and averaged 10.1 points, 11.1 rebounds and three blocks per game.
Monte Morris named in Yahoo investigative report. Nuggets two-way rookie guard Monte Morris was named in an investigative report from Yahoo Sports that detailed numerous potential NCAA violations committed by ASM Sports agency involving more than 25 current and former college basketball players at more than 20 schools.
Morris, who played at Iowa State, is one of the players listed as “meeting with or having meals with” Christian Dawkins, an associate with ASM who has since been arrested as part of the FBI probe into college basketball. Paying for a student-athlete’s meal could be considered an extra-benefits NCAA violation.
Through the Nuggets media relations staff, Morris declined comment about being named in the report.
Plumlee returns. Nuggets big man Mason Plumlee, who had missed the previous eight games with a strained calf, returned to action Friday but came off the bench. Coach Michael Malone said during his pregame availability that “the level that our starting group (Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, Barton, Wilson Chandler and Nikola Jokic) has played at lately, I think you can’t deny.”
Barton, who had missed Denver’s two practices following the all-star break with strep throat, returned to the team Friday and started against the Spurs. Two-way rookie wing Torrey Craig (hamstring) did not play.