Unexpected Assist Brightens Mood

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Nuggets coach George Karl is finding that the addition of Allen Iverson has brought much more to his team than 25 points and 11 assists a game, MVP-type stats in their own right.

Since joining the Nuggets, Iverson has shown he can talk a good game, too. His constant chatter with teammates has added a source of energy and positive thinking the Nuggets were missing, Karl said.

"It's definitely an asset I didn't know was there," Karl said. "I hadn't heard that about him. I heard he was a good teammate. His positive energy is right up there with Nate McMillan."

McMillan was a key cog on Karl's best teams in Seattle for many years.

Iverson has been all the Nuggets asked for and more since they acquired him last week in a trade with Philadelphia. He has been a major force through two games with his shooting and passing, and an unexpected contributor with his positive on-court leadership. Karl believes that element of his game could become even more important later this season.

"There's no question that's a valuable asset," Karl said. "Last year our team didn't fall apart, but it broke apart a little bit because of our being negative toward one another."

That fracture led to a third consecutive first-round playoff exit.

Iverson did not make himself available to the media Wednesday, but reports out of Philadelphia indicate Iverson at times was very vocal with his teammates - but not so much on a consistent basis, as has been the case with his new team.

His teammates say they appreciate the running commentary.

Guard Earl Boykins, who has flourished since Iverson arrived, said: "He's very vocal. I didn't expect that at all. Most guys that vocal are usually negative, but he's been positive the entire time. I don't know how he's been in the past, but I don't think he has changed. You are what you are."

Boykins will take his play on the floor as well.

"For me, it's refreshing to have someone out there who wants to push the ball all the time," Boykins said. "It's just very refreshing."

Iverson plays his third game with the Nuggets tonight when they host Seattle in a scheduled 8:30 p.m. game.

If the Nuggets win, Karl reaches a milestone 800th NBA victory against a franchise he coached from 1991-98. During his time there, the Sonics averaged 59 victories, but at the end his contract wasn't renewed and he moved on to Milwaukee.

"I'm over Seattle," Karl said. "I would like to have another Seattle in my career and my hopes are that Denver will become that. Seattle was a team that taught me what you have to have to be a championship team. Milestones mean that I survived the dangers of being fired and never hired again."

Karl's son Coby, a senior Boise State, said milestones will be more meaningful to his dad once his coaching career is over.

"Milestones are cool to look back on, but in terms of where he is right now in the season, it's not a big deal," Coby Karl said. </div>

Source