DENVER -- Apologies for a player rebellion have been issued,
and admissions of poor judgment have been made. So where do the
fragmented Denver Nuggets go from here?
If they're not careful, the next stop could be their customary
place in NBA oblivion.
|  | | Antonio McDyess and his 20.3 points per game have been bright spots for Denver. |
After losing to the Miami Heat on Tuesday night, the Nuggets
(10-13) found themselves in the midst of a five-game losing streak
and facing an internal challenge that threatens to damage their
season beyond repair.
"This has to be something we come together with and support one
another through," tri-captain George McCloud said, "because if we
don't, it's going to linger on and be with us the whole season."
Denver's problems began last Wednesday when a 17-point loss at
Miami set the tone for a winless four-game road trip that concluded
with an overtime loss at Boston on Sunday.
Coach Dan Issel then drew the ire of his players when he
scheduled a Monday morning practice. Feelings that Issel mistreated
struggling center Raef LaFrentz added to the team's discontent, and
the players skipped practice Monday without consulting the coach.
Despite the loss to Miami, the healing process began when the
players reiterated their support for Issel.
"We have to move forward from this point on and try to erase
the mistake that we made," McCloud said. "We're not throwing
rocks and hiding our heads. We're saying that we were wrong."
For his part, Issel was uncharacteristically mellow for most of
Tuesday night's game. He often remained seated -- an approach better
associated with Lakers coach Phil Jackson -- and shouted at the
officials rather than his players.
"We have to allow Dan to coach," McCloud said. "We have to
allow Dan to be himself, to yell if he feels like he has to yell,
to try to motivate guys because if you don't, he's out of
character. He doesn't ask any of us to do anything out of
character, and we can't ask that of him."
After a 21-game improvement under Issel last season, this year
held optimism for the Nuggets, who have not been to the playoffs
since 1994-95.
While languishing among the NBA's worst, Denver has received
more national attention for infamous actions than admirable ones
over the past four years.
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf was suspended for refusing to stand for the
national anthem in 1996, and the media sadistically charted
Denver's brush with the NBA futility record in the 1997-98 season,
when they won just 11 games.
Issel returned to the bench in hopes of restoring enthusiasm for
the Nuggets in a city that ranks them fourth behind the Broncos,
Avalanche and Rockies.
Denver's sub-.500 record has prompted questions about Issel's
future as both coach and vice president of basketball operations
under new owner Stan Kroenke. Issel bristled Tuesday when asked if
the reclusive Kroenke attended the game.
"I am not privy to Mr. Kroenke's travel schedule," he said.
"You will have to ask him that."
Denver goes back on the road at San Antonio on Thursday and at
Houston on Saturday. The Nuggets are 2-9 away from home.
"Last week was just a long week, period," forward Antonio
McDyess said. "These are the things that can pull a team together.
We are a family and we are still pretty close."
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AUDIO VIDEO
 After the Nuggets loss to Miami, coach Dan Issel felt his team handled the situation poorly.
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After the loss, George McCloud thinks the players will need to admit they were wrong.
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James Posey clears up the comments he made to the Denver Post.
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Dr. Jack Ramsay analyzes the situation with the Denver Nuggets.
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