Mark

Pope

Pope was cut by the team Jan. 5. He was scheduled to take a red-eye to Atlanta on Monday night to join the Nuggets for their game against the Hawks tonight.

Pope had been on the injured list since the start of the season, though he hasn’t been hurt. He’ll probably be re-signed later on.

Pope takes’s Nene’s roster spot. The 32-year-old spent all of last season with Denver but played in only four games and scored a total of two points.

Pope has played five minutes in three games for Denver.

“I don’t think it’s too likely, because I’m not a very good basketball player,” he said. “To be honest, I used to really stress out about it, but now I’m just really here trying to enjoy it.” He said it, not us. However, George Karl has been high on him thus far, so he may sit at the end of the bench for the Nuggets again this year.

“If (the Nuggets) call me and want me to come back, I gladly will, but I’m not expecting that,” said Pope. “But I’m doing fantastic. We’ve truly been blessed.” It’s conceivable that Pope will come back this season to the Nuggets, but he has minimal fantasy value.

He usually barely hangs on by a thread with the Nuggets each year, but not this time. “He’s not a great player, but he’s a guy that helps your team exist,” coach George Karl said. “Being a good teammate is highly underrated. Mark Pope is the best teammate I’ve ever coached.” Once the Denver bigs start getting hurt, the “teammate” will probably end up back at the end of their bench.

Pope has averaged 0.4 points and 0.9 rebounds in nine games this season.