MINNEAPOLIS — Sports are like the tide, full of highs and lows. For NBA rookies, throw in a strong undertow.
One minute they are recognized for a good defensive rotation or offensive finish, and the next they are attracting attention for a botched assignment or errant pass.
First-round draft picks are contractually guaranteed at least an entire season to gain a coach's trust and earn playing time, even if it doesn't pan out.
This is not so for two Nuggets in their first season.
Gary Forbes and Eric Boateng joined Denver for training camp as undrafted free agents.
Nothing is certain.
"It's not easy for them," Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups said. "There's a lot of pressure."
Forbes is an athletic, scoring forward from Massachusetts, Boateng a defensive-minded center from Arizona State. Opposites though they are, they are vying for the same thing: a spot on the roster.
Forbes, who came to the Nuggets after stints in Israel and the Philippines, sees the preseason as an audition — in which pressure to succeed is paramount.
"I don't want to be a liability on the court where Coach (George Karl) says I'm not making good decisions," he said.
Boateng is more relaxed. He views camp as a learning experience, not much different than the times spent in lecture halls while attending Arizona State.
"I'm just absorbing what Coach Karl is trying to teach us and going out, playing hard and trying to execute the way he wants us to play," Boateng said.
The gravity of realizing his dream of playing in the NBA affected Forbes in Denver's preseason opener against Portland last week. He made 1-of-6 shots, missed two free throws and committed four turnovers.
"My mind was running a bit crazy," Forbes said of his shaky debut.
Against the Timberwolves on Tuesday, a calmer Forbes scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds in 20 minutes. But he also committed three turnovers.
"Role players can't make mistakes," Karl said.
Forbes knows it. That's why he is among the last to leave the court after practice, working with assistant coach Melvin Hunt.
"I'm just working hard to get better every day," Forbes said.
Denver's coaching staff would like to see more offensive production from Boateng, who didn't attempt a shot Tuesday and has scored only four points in the Nuggets' 1-1 start to the preseason.
While the 6-foot-10 Boateng attempts to make the team, he will float with the tide and let the worry fall upon his instructors, the coaches.
"I'm not putting any pressure on myself. I'm just playing," Boateng said.
More roadwork ahead.
The Nuggets practiced Wednesday at the Target Center before flying to Los Angeles for a long stay. They committed 25 turnovers in their 122-108 loss to the Timberwolves, but Karl isn't overly concerned about his team's inconsistent play.
"Training camp is about getting better, getting stronger, getting more together," Karl said. "It's not about winning games."
The Nuggets are in Los Angeles for games against the Clippers tonight and the Lakers on Friday, then another game Sunday at the Staples Center.
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