[BASKETBALL]
Kareem Rush. Casey Jacobsen. Smush Parker. Savo’s Nuggets workout goes
‘real well,’ Akana saysBy Cindy Luis
cluis@starbulletin.comFormer Hawaii guard Predrag Savovic was in some pretty heady company during yesterday's workout with the NBA's Denver Nuggets.
"I really don't know if Denver is a possibility," said Savovic. "I really don't know where I will go (in the draft). But wherever I go, I'm confident that the team will get a good player."
"I think Savo did real well," said former Rainbow guard Jarinn Akana, the Nuggets' player development coordinator/Asia scout. "From all indications, he did a great job. Everything I've heard is very positive.
"The main thing is he can shoot the ball. Anytime you can shoot, you have a chance."
Akana was in charge of the court drills yesterday, just a portion of what goes on during an NBA individual workout. Besides the court play, there are also strength tests and interviews with the front office.
General manager Kiki Vandeweghe even wore a Hawaii-related T-shirt yesterday, advertising Pete Newell's Big Man Camp held annually at Kamehameha Schools.
The Nuggets have the 25th pick of the first round and the fourth pick of the second (the 32nd pick overall). Denver is in need of a shooting guard. Rush out of Missouri (19.8 ppg), Jacobsen out of Stanford (21.9 ppg) and Savovic (20.3 ppg) all fit the bill, especially if the Nuggets lose leading 3-point shooter Voshon Lenard to free agency.
"Obviously, we're looking at guys who will be available when we pick," said Akana. "We brought in these guys because they could fill our needs. This group went the hardest out of all the groups we brought in.
"Savo had a great interview. My GM says he'll make it with some team. You know I'm rooting for anyone who's a Rainbow."
"I saw him in Chicago (last week) and thought he really helped his stock," said Marc Spears, Nuggets beat writer at the Denver Post. "He has impressed people with his outside shooting and raised his draft stock."
Savovic has at least another six workouts scheduled before the June 26 draft in New York. Among the teams are Sacramento, Philadelphia, Toronto, Atlanta, Chicago and New Jersey.