SON TRYING TO FOLLOW FATHER’S SUCCESS
Taurean Green saw his dad's name in the rafters at the Thomas & Mack Center when he competed in the NBA Summer League last year, so this time, it wasn't as big of a deal. Sidney Green, of course, is one of UNLV's all-time greats, who went on to a 10-year NBA career.
The younger Green is still trying to establish himself after playing a combined 17 games for the Nuggets and Trail Blazers last season, and he's hoping to use his return trip here to strengthen his standing with Denver. Green, who had seven points and one assist in a 92-79 victory over the Lakers, has not talked to the organization about what it expects.
"I'm sure my agent and I will be in talks in the next few days," Green said. "We'll see what happens."
Like his dad, Green knows what it's like to excel in college. He was the point guard on Florida's back-to-back national championship teams in 2006 and 2007, and was MVP of the Midwest Regional in '07. Of course, the climb up to the NBA is steep, even for a player with his accomplishments.
"Point guard is probably the hardest position to take a step up," Green said. "You've got to be able to control the game. You've got to be able to get everybody involved. I watch other point guards in the NBA to see if I can take anything out of their game."
YOUNGER KARL MISSES MARK
It's a good thing Nuggets coach George Karl wasn't at Denver's game against the Lakers. Oh sure, his team won easily. But his son, Coby Karl, couldn't make anything for Los Angeles, missing nine of his first 10 shots before ending the drought with a follow-up basket. Coby Karl finished with 13 points on 3-for-14 shooting.
Bobby Jones scored 18 points and Keith Langford 17 to lead the Nuggets. Joe Crawford led the Lakers with 17 points.
AMUNDSON INJURED
Ex-UNLV standout Louis Amundson, now with Golden State, twisted his left ankle late in the first quarter and did not return to the Warriors' game against Toronto at Cox Pavilion. He finished with four points and three rebounds in nine minutes.
