Nuggets View of Mercer

["Dave Wickerham" <wickerhd@govt.co.saratoga.ny.us>]

Here is today's article on yesterday's preseason Nuggets-Bulls game.  Its
interesting that Issell went all out to win the game which explains the Big
playing time for RM

>                        McDyess sits out Nuggets loss
>
>    By [5]Mike Monroe
>    Denver Post Sports Writer
>
>    Oct. 13 - CHICAGO - Denver Nuggets coach Dan Issel, who is renewing
>    his vows with the only NBA team with which he has been affiliated,
>    said Monday he intended to play Tuesday's exhibition opener just like
>    a regular-season game, with every intent to win, rather than look at
>    new players or try different combinations.
>
>    Issel had better hope the Nuggets didn't, for not only did they suffer
>    an 86-84 loss, but they played it without their best player.
>
>    Antonio McDyess, the power forward who carries the lion's share of
>    Nuggets hopes this season, missed the game with a migraine. The
>    6-foot-9 power forward was doubled over in pain in the Nuggets' locker
>    room before the game, cradling his head in the crook of his left arm,
>    as if shutting out the light might somehow make the pounding pain go
>    away.
>
>    What is troubling for Issel and the Nuggets is the fact McDyess has
>    been troubled by recurring headaches since Saturday. It was hoped that
>    some dental work on an abscessed tooth might help. It didn't, and
>    McDyess sat out the team's free public scrimmage Sunday at Boulder.
>
>    That was just a scrimmage, though. When McDyess, whose tolerance for
>    pain is high, reported the pain was too great to go Tuesday night,
>    Issel acknowledged he is concerned. Bulls team physician Dr. Jeffrey
>    Weinberg was summoned to examine the Nuggets star. He declared
>    McDyess' symptoms to be those of a migraine attack.
>
>    Issel had said Monday he wanted to win Tuesday's game so badly that
>    McDyess might play 40 minutes "if that's what it takes to win it."
>
>    Instead, veteran Popeye Jones started at power forward and logged not
>    eight or 10 minutes as McDyess' backup, but 25 minutes.
>
>    Jones is a fine rebounder, and he grabbed six Tuesday night. But
>    McDyess last season averaged 21.2 points. Jones scored only two
>    against the Bulls.
>
>    One positive effect of McDyess' absence was the opportunity for Ron
>    Mercer, acquired this summer from the Boston Celtics as the
>    centerpiece of a six-player trade, to prove his potential as a go-to
>    player.
>
>    Mercer was nothing short of spectacular, scoring 19 in the first half
>    alone with a variety of athletic drives to the basket and perimeter
>    shots. Mercer's performance was - dare we say it - reminiscent of the
>    player whose statue adorns the entrance to United Center, Michael
>    Jordan.
>
>    It may have been no coincidence that Mercer put every facet of his
>    offensive game on display in front of Bulls general manager Jerry
>    Krause, who has been clearing money under the NBA's salary cap since
>    Jordan retired before the start of the 1998-99 season. Mercer will be
>    a free agent at season's end, and has indicated a desire to keep all
>    his options open.
>
>    After Tuesday night's performance, Issel, who doubles as Nuggets
>    general manager, may want to redouble his efforts to get Mercer signed
>    before Oct. 31, when the league's window for third-year players to
>    sign six-year extensions closes.
>
>    Mercer had little choice but to assert himself offensively, especially
>    in the first half. Starting point guard Nick Van Exel missed his first
>    six shots and didn't score until 1:02 remained in the first half.
>
>    Copyright 1999 The Denver Post. All rights reserved. This material may
>    not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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