Commissioner pleased with direction of Denver

Denver  NBA commissioner David Stern says he is pleased with the direction of the Denver Nuggets despite the team’s struggles in recent years, and that the city would be an excellent site for the NBA All-Star Game.

Stern made his comments during an informal news conference prior to the Nuggets’ game with the Detroit Pistons on Monday night. He was in Denver as part of a tour that will include stops in Portland, New Orleans, Utah and Seattle.

Stern said he is not concerned about owner Stan Kroenke’s low profile because he believes new general manager Kiki Vandeweghe has the franchise headed in the right direction.

Denver has not reached the playoffs since 1995 and has finished no higher than fourth in the Midwest Division for the last 12 seasons.

“I don’t think it’s about the owner, it’s about the face of the franchise,” Stern said.

“I think that in Kiki Vandeweghe, there’s a very strong face to this franchise and I think that Stan has chosen well.”

Stern also said the Pepsi Center, which opened for the 1999-2000 season, would be an ideal site for the NBA All-Star Game.

Gugliotta out for season with right foot injury

Phoenix  The Phoenix Suns placed Tom Gugliotta on the injured list Monday with a stress fracture in his right foot, probably ending his season.

Gugliotta has missed 33 of the Suns’ 67 games because of injuries, including the last three after hurting his right foot against the Miami Heat on March 12.

His absence has contributed to the Suns’ 30-37 record  Phoenix went 8-15 in games the power forward missed because of a concussion, left quadriceps tendinitis and the foot injury.

A 40-game starter, Gugliotta averaged 6.5 points and 5.0 rebounds this season, shooting 42 percent. But in his last eight full games after coming off the injured list Feb. 13, he averaged 9.8 points and 7.9 rebounds while shooting 46.1 percent.

The Suns activated guard Joe Crispin to fill Gugliotta’s roster spot.

Timberwolves sign Pack to replace Avery

Minneapolis The Minnesota Timberwolves signed free-agent guard Robert Pack to a 10-day contract on Monday.

Pack, a 6-foot-2 point guard from Southern California, was signed after the team placed guard Will Avery on the injured list with tendinitis in his right knee.

The Timberwolves have lost seven straight and have struggled to find depth at point guard since Terrell Brandon had season-ending knee surgery Feb. 21. Chauncey Billups has played well as the starter but also is banged up.