Excitement overrides Nikola Jokic’s flared-up wrist on first day of Denver Nuggets training camp

Nikola Jokic speaks to members of the press during the Nuggets Media Day at Ball Arena on Monday. (Tom Hellauer/Denver Gazette)

LA JOLLA, Calif. – Nikola Jokic provided reassurance to Nuggets nation for a second consecutive day.

After stating that he wanted to be with the Nuggets “forever” during his media day press conference Monday at Ball Arena, Jokic walked over to the media scrum assembled after Tuesday’s first training camp practice at UC San Diego with a bag of ice wrapped around his right wrist, something that’s become a common sight over the years.

“It’s (from) like six years ago,” Jokic said of the injury.

The minor injury would likely prevent a Spikeball session on the beach during the team’s time on the Pacific Coast but not much else. He said it’s the kind of injury that flares up from time to time, as it has over the last few years with the Nuggets.

“It’s working,” Jokic said. “I’m managing.”

The Nuggets started training camp with a lively, competitive practice. David Adelman liked what he saw from a retooled roster after his first preseason practice as coach.

“They played super hard. We have a lot of depth, a lot of talent. The guys, I thought, played like they knew that,” Adelman said.

“It led to a lot of competition. We played live 95% of the time, which sometimes leads to mistakes, but good mistakes just because the energy was so good. I know we can’t play like that the whole season. We picked up full (court), super physical. You’ve got to put your hands on people, nowadays in the NBA. It’s good to see the guys do that.”

Practice started with a bang, literally. Adelman said two-way wing Spencer Jones needed stitches after a collision with Julian Strawther on the first play of the day. The Nuggets’ coach said Cam Johnson was pulled toward the end of practice for precautionary reasons, while Jokic and the rest of the roster were full participants.

“Everybody else that they kind of red-flagged as possibilities to sit at some point did not,” Adelman said. “That’s up to me. That’s my responsibility to make sure we get the most out of them with the time that we have and don’t waste time just to say you did stuff.”

Getting Jokic to take a break has been a struggle over the years. In the past, Michael Malone admitted there were games he wanted to hold out his superstar, only for Jokic to overrule the coach and play anyway. Jokic has only been back in the United States for roughly 48 hours after representing Serbia in the summer’s EuroBasket tournament. His new head coach made it sound like he’s no worse after the extra wear of international competition.

“He had a good mentality about him today. I thought all the starters did. I thought they were more into what they were doing defensively than offensively. Offensively, we’re always going to score, but I thought the defense was what stood out to me today with that group. They flew around. They always move the ball,” Adelman said.

“The mentality of not just him but the whole first unit was exciting to see.”

A new crop of coaches and some fresh faces on the roster added a little extra juice, the face of the franchise admitted.

“It is (exciting), especially with the new coaching staff and new system that we’re going to try. I like it. It’s something new. I’m looking forward to it,” Jokic said.

“First practice in training camp, the energy is always great.”