``I wanted a lead assistant with head-coaching experience, someone who can motivate and connect with the players and who can get down in the trenches with them,'' D'Antoni said.
``He does those things. He deserves another chance to be a head coach someday. I want him to go home each day feeling this is his team, too.''
D'Antoni, who spent seven years coaching in the Italian League, becomes Denver's seventh coach this decade. He joined the Nuggets as director of player personnel last year.
SIX SHOTS In the midst of a lockout that has been in place since July 1, NBA authorities are shortly expected to cancel training camps scheduled to open Oct. 6. It is also likely that the first week of preseason games also will be canceled.
Sixers telecaster Marc Zumoff earned his sixth Emmy in the last seven years for play-by-play and color commentary in the Pennsylvania/New Jersey/Delaware region . . . The Sixers/Warriors Alumni Association has scheduled a Fall Golf Classic for Friday at Greate Bay Country Club in Somers Point, N.J., with proceeds benefiting the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and the Ocean City Exchange Club Foundation for the Prevention of Child Abuse.
