Nuggets training camp notebook: Day two

OMAHA — The second day of training camp got underway in Omaha with LoCash, Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney and other country artists providing the soundtrack as practice began. Today is rookie Juan Hernangomez‘s birthday and the team closed out practice with a hilarious rendition of “Happy Birthday” that was highlighted by Nikola Jokic busting out a few dance moves.

The Nuggets had a birthday cake for Juancho Hernangomez who turns 21 today. Nikola Jokic provided the dance moves to "Happy Birthday" pic.twitter.com/EE4eq3eyRG

— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) September 28, 2016

Here are some of the highlights from this morning:

Power forward Darrell Arthur practiced on the side today after spending most of yesterday’s session rehabbing his knee in the weight room with trainer Steve Hess. He was smiling, laughing and very upbeat after practice.

Head coach Michael Malone had more positive things to say about Emmanuel Mudiay today. When giving a rundown of the first three practices Malone said: “I love the leadership role that Emmanuel Mudiay is taking on. It’s been fun to watch him get comfortable in that role.” He went on to say that he let Mudiay know before camp that he wanted him to step up and be a leader every night. So far it seems like Mudiay has taken the first steps toward doing just that.

Jamal Murray is already carrying himself like a veteran less than a week into the season. Many people thought there was no chance that Murray was going to still be available for the Nuggets at No. 7 overall on draft night. But the six teams in front of the Nuggets passed on him and Denver was overjoyed to select him at seven.

New Orleans Pelicans guard Buddy Hield was one of the six players drafted in front of Murray this summer. In a Q&A session on the Pelicans website a fan asked Hield why New Orleans opted to select him instead of Murray. To which Hield replied: “I’m a better player than Murray, you stop being crazy.”

When I asked Murray about this practice he seemed unaware of Hield’s comments but laughingly told me “I don’t have anything to say to that, he can say whatever he wants to say.” The quiet confidence displayed by the young player is remarkable as he would rather prove himself on the floor than in the headlines. In response to me asking him if falling in the draft had given him a chip on his shoulder. Murray said: “You always play with a chip on your shoulder. Right now I’m not focused on that though, I’m focused on this team and getting into the gym at training camp. I’m not focused on what other people say.”

Forward Wilson Chandler has been a welcomed sight on the floor for the Nuggets after undergoing hip surgery and missing all of last season. Chandler said it’s been good for him to get back out there with the guys and that he’s feeling great heading into the preseason. Chandler feels that “everyone [on the team] is playing great and no one person has stood out more than the next person, which is a good thing because it builds competition.” With getting back to the playoffs as this team’s goal, I also asked Chandler what needs to take place for the goal to become a reality. He simply said, “play together on both ends of the floor and trust each other.”

Shooting guard Gary Harris is looking to take another big step forward in hopes of helping the Nuggets reach the playoffs this season. Harris believes the Nuggets simply need to stay healthy and if they are able to do that he thinks Denver will win a lot more games this year. Harris is excited about Murray and Malik Beasley joining the mix of talented, young wings on the roster: “we got some talent in our backcourt and as long as we keep getting better and continue pushing each other I like what we can do.”

Lastly, as previously mentioned today is Hernangomez’s 21st birthday. Coach Malone joked after practice that he hopes he won’t see Hernangomez at the liquor store carrying a case of beer back to the hotel later tonight. The rookie doesn’t have any birthday celebrations planned and wants to simply hangout in his room after this evening’s practice concludes. “My birthday is a special day but it’s another day at the office so I have to keep working and this is for my professional development,” Hernangomez said. There are no off days for this rookie and his future with the Nuggets looks extremely bright.

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