Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony was back at the Pepsi Center on Sunday after a quick trip to Washington, D.C. for a dinner in honor of Reggie Love, right-hand man for president-elect Barack Obama.

Obama’s presidential inauguration is Tuesday, Anthony could feel the excitement in the air.

``It’s crazy in D.C. right now. It’s a buzz,’’ he said. ``It’s like All-Star weekend out there right now - just people everywhere.’’

Anthony, a Baltimore native, met Obama after returning from the Beijing Olympics last summer. He was bummed he couldn’t attend the inauguration but noted that he had ``business to take care of’’ in Denver.

At the top of the priority list is getting healthy. Anthony, who broke his hand Jan. 5, said he is still targeting a Jan. 30 return against Charlotte.

``I’m just taking it day by day,’’ he said. ``It’s kind of getting boring right now, not being able to play, watching the games. Trying to keep myself motivated.’’

CUBAN BLOG UPDATE

In an entry Saturday on blogmaverick.com, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said he will donate $25,000 to the NHL Players’ Association Goals & Dreams Fund.

Cuban was fined $25,000 by the NBA for talking to Smith at halftime last week. Cuban was upset that Smith threw an elbow that missed the head of Mavericks swingman Antoine Wright.

Cuban lobbied for Smith to be suspended but the NBA did not even levy a fine. Cuban then offered to make a donation to the charity of Smith’s choice but said he had not heard back from Smith or the Nuggets.

Strangely, Cuban said he would make the donation in the name of Todd Bertuzzi and former Avalanche forward Steve Moore.

Moore’s career ended when he suffered a broken neck and other injuries after being attacked from behind by Bertuzzi during a game on March 8, 2004.

``Why in their names?’’ Cuban wrote in his blog. ``As a reminder of what could have happened, and that not every retaliation attempt misses. Tragedy can be one swing or one elbow away. There is no place for any action that could end someone’s career or worse, in any sport.’’

According to the NHLPA website, the Goals & Dreams Fund has donated hockey equipment to more than 9,000 underprivileged children in 17 countries since 1999.