Denver Nuggets

Two Chicago businessmen have enlisted the financial backing of media executive Robert Wussler to buy the Denver Nuggets, with the directors of Wussler's company expected to vote on the deal today. "We are confirming that we are in discussion to purchase the Denver Nuggets as part of a partnership headed by Bertram Lee and Peter Bynoe," said Bob Hunter, spokesman for Wussler's firm, Comsat Video Enterprises of Washington, D.C.

So far, the Denver Nuggets haven't even talked a good game against the Lakers, much less played one, in the National Basketball Assn. playoffs. So imagine the Lakers' surprise when they arrived here Tuesday and heard that Nugget star Alex English had said there might be "some blood on the floor" in Game 3 tonight. What's this? Were these the same Nuggets who had played down to Coach Doug Moe's "why bother?"

An experienced center … who really needs one, anyway? The Utah Jazz got there — well, at least to another playoff date against their nemesis, the Lakers — without one, beating the Denver Nuggets. Utah's Mehmet Okur ruptured his left Achilles' tendon in Game 1 against Denver and, thus, gone until next season, was replaced by Kyrylo Fesenko. At least Fesenko had a sense of humor as he talked about his shooting in Game 5 against Denver. "One for one, yeah," Fesenko told the Salt Lake Tribune at the Jazz shootaround on Friday morning.

A California businessman is negotiating to buy the Denver Nuggets, one of a few potential buyers who have expressed interest in the NBA team since investors Peter Bynoe and Bertram Lee failed to meet a purchase deadline this week. Lee and Bynoe still hope to buy the NBA franchise, and Nuggets owner Sidney Shlenker still hopes to sell it to them, said Andy Shlenker, Sidney's son and Nuggets part-owner.

After trading Alabama forward Antonio McDyess, the No. 2 pick in the NBA draft, to the Denver Nuggets for center Brian Williams, forward Rodney Rogers and guard Brent Barry in a controversial draft-day deal, Clipper Coach Bill Fitch insisted that Williams was the key to the trade. "We played all year last year without a center," Fitch said. "We looked through all the back-up centers in the league, and the more I watched film on Brian I thought this guy can play center in this league.

The Denver Nuggets were back -- emotionally unstable, combustible, imploding. Just when one thought Denver had gotten past all its issues that have brought it down in the past, the old Nuggets returned for Game 3 of the Western Conference finals Saturday night at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets were called for three technical fouls. They jacked up wild shots, failed to execute late and didn't run their offense with precision.

Mike Brown is not coaching the Lakers tonight against Denver because of personal reasons, according to the team. Brown went through his regular pregame briefing with media members about 90 minutes before tipoff but left after that. He was somewhat late for the briefing, spoke for 10 minutes and left Staples Center for home soon after that. Assistant John Kuester is coaching in Brown's place. Kuester took Brown's spot earlier this season in Philadelphia, a game the Lakers lost, 95-90.

Former Loyola Marymount two-sport standout Terrell Lowery could be facing a crossroads in his athletic career next month. He might have to choose between playing minor league baseball in the Texas Rangers organization--traveling to towns such as Port Charlotte, Fla., and Tulsa and Oklahoma City--or pursuing a basketball career. He may be invited to the Denver Nuggets' tryout camp in Colorado Springs, Colo. The time is getting close for the 6-foot-3 Lowery to make a decision.

The Denver Nuggets refused to let the Clippers stand in the way of their drive to the playoffs, even though it took almost four quarters to prove their resolve. Reggie Williams scored 21 points and Dale Ellis and Jalen Rose had 16 each, leading the Nuggets to a 113-104 victory Monday night over the NBA's worst team. "You try not to look at who is across the floor, but that's tough," said Nugget Coach Bernie Bickerstaff. "I take my hat off to (Clipper Coach) Bill Fitch.

Here are five things to watch when the Lakers play Game 2 of their first-round series against the Denver Nuggets tonight at Staples Center: 1. How do the Lakers prevent a letdown? Everything they showed in their 103-88 Game 1 win Sunday over Denver was ideal. The Lakers focused on getting the ball inside to Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. But relentless double teams prompted quick passes. Teammates nailed open jumpers, including Devin Ebanks and Steve Blake. Even though Kobe Bryant scored 31 points, he seemed content sharing the spotlight.