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Nuggets host 1,500 DPS students at Metro State College for annual open practice

Raising the roof at Metro State

By Aaron J. Lopez

Still feeling the final remnants of jet leg, Carmelo Anthony and his teammates remained a little sluggish when they arrived at practice Friday morning.

The screams of 1,500 school kids proved to be more effective than a six-pack of Red Bull.

Anthony dazzled with his smooth scoring ability, and Supermascot Rocky was his usual entertaining self during a morning practice and scrimmage attended by Denver Public Schools students on the Metro State campus.

"We might be a little bit tired to wake up in the morning, but you get in there – kids yelling and it’s crowded – your juices get flowing and you forget about what time it is," Anthony said.

"It’s fun. Them kids probably don’t never get a chance to come to the Pepsi Center to see us play in a real live game, so why not come right across the street to let them get a chance to see us up close and personal."

It was the fifth straight year the Nuggets have practiced at Metro State, but rookie point guard Ty Lawson got his first taste of the youthful enthusiasm.

After playing in some of the noisiest arenas in the country during his days at North Carolina, Lawson was impressed with the decibel level Friday. "Real impressed," he said. "I didn’t think it’d be that loud. I could barely hear myself call plays out there."

Some of the loudest cheers were reserved for Rocky, who closed the practice by beating three-point specialist J.R. Smith in a shooting contest. Rocky swished a halfcourt shot with his back to the basket before Smith could make a jumper from the same spot.

"Just seems like Rocky’s our favorite player," coach George Karl said. "It’s an energy burst for the kids. From our standpoint it’s always fun to feel the passion and appreciation from fans – kids, adults, whoever it is. The kids seem to do it better than most."

The students in attendance ranged from 3rd to 8th grade. They received a Nuggets T-shirt and two tickets to Tuesday’s preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The also received a familiar, but nonetheless important, message from Karl.

"School is extremely, extremely important," Karl said after thanking the kids for their support. "Stay in school. Learn from your teachers, learn from your experience. Be a Nuggets fan, but most importantly, stay in school."