"The suits are smaller now, with extra tailoring so they fit just right. They're not all done yet, so Nuggets coach George Karl's return to the bench on Friday night was in a suit he knew that fit - the one he wore to the ESPYs in the summer. Sure, it was an exhibition, but Karl was back in the Pepsi Center, back in the head coach's seat. And though it started awry when he brought two right shoes to the game and had to borrow a pair of lace-ups from assistant John Welch, it was good. "I thought it was kind of a good carryover for me," Karl said. "There's no question I want to be here, I want to be back. I don't think it will be as emotional as the first game (of the regular season). But I just kind of feel fortunate, fortunate to be coaching in the league and hopefully regaining my health to 100 percent." The game, a 109-99 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, was pressurized. Constant yelling, which might have taxed his vocal cords, wasn't necessary, and wouldn't have been an issue anyway with the sparse preseason crowd in attendance. But Karl spent time prior to the game thinking about the moment. "I don't think there's any question there was a philosophical moment of what has happened and trying to put that behind me," Karl said. "This is a step to move into getting back into your routine and to do it in a healthy way, and to do it in a thankful way to so many people that were generous with their thoughts, with their prayers, with their spirit, with their energy." He walked onto the court to cheers. And after a slow start, the Nuggets made sure Karl's first game back was a winning one. Carmelo Anthony was introduced to nothing but cheers from the crowd, and then didn't disappoint with 24 points on 7-of-12 shooting. He and Chauncey Billups each played the first and third quarters. Billups finished with four points and three assists in 23 minutes." Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_16293448
