RUBBING OFF ON ANTHONY?

Nuggets coach George Karl likes how Allen Iverson deals with Carmelo Anthony, whose maturity has been questioned at times.

"A.I. doesn't let Melo get away with some of his childish commitments at times," Karl said before Tuesday's 94-90 win at New Jersey. "Instead of me calling him out or one of my assistants calling him out, all of a sudden, A.I. is calling him out a little bit, and I think that's pretty cool."

POPULAR MAN

Nuggets guard J.R. Smith, who grew up near Continental Airlines Arena, might have signed more autographs Tuesday than anyone.

"This is the first time in awhile I've had support like this anywhere," said Smith, who went scoreless in 11 minutes.

J.R.'s father, Earl Smith, estimated his son had 1,000 supporters. Of those, Smith bought 300 tickets for disadvantaged kids, and they wore T-shirts bearing the name of his J.R. Smith Youth Foundation.

"Some kids never get a chance to see an NBA game," Smith said.

HE SAID IT

"I wanted to get Kobe's stuff to rub off on me."

DerMarr Johnson, Nuggets guard, who said he switched to No. 8 after giving No. 3 to Iverson in December because Kobe Bryant once wore it. Johnson admits the change has helped "not at all."