PRODDING ANTHONY

Nuggets coach George Karl is imploring Carmelo Anthony to improve in some areas.

"I remember being with (last year's World Championship) team, and coach (Mike Krzyzewski) whispering to me, 'Melo could be (on the) All-Defensive team,' " Karl said. "I said, 'Coach K, I don't know about All-Defensive team. But I think he can be a damn good defensive player.' It's his commitment and his consistency in that area . . . that frustrates all of us."

Asked if Anthony, at 23.1 percent, should be a better three-point shooter, Karl said, "Should be, but he's not serious about it yet. He doesn't put enough consistent work into it."

IS NO. 6 GOOD?

If the Nuggets (31-31) beat the Lakers (33-31) on Thursday, they'll pass them in position for the No. 6 playoff seed in the Western Conference.

But No. 6 could mean playing San Antonio, which has won 13 straight. Karl said the Spurs scare him the most of any team but wouldn't speculate on seeding.

"I tip my hat always to the champs (the Spurs won in 1999, 2003 and 2005) and the team that's been there . . . and it looks like their passion's back," he said.

HE SAID IT

"They said I was from Russia."

Linas Kleiza, Nuggets forward and Lithuania native, on what he heard on ESPN after ABC mispronounced his name regularly Sunday, when he scored 24 against Sacramento.