The Cleveland Cavaliers' biggest rising star is second-year point guard Kyrie Irving, but another rising star never got off their bench at the Pepsi Center on Friday night.
Cavaliers assistant coach Jamahl Mosley has gone from being an obscure 1,000-point scorer at the University of Colorado to becoming one of the more respected assistants in the NBA. Three years after leaving his Nuggets position as advance scout and assistant, he has become one of coach Byron Scott's most trusted assistants.
"I love J's energy," Scott said. "He's gaining valuable experience. I've given him the defensive assignment to get us together, which is a tough assignment because of how young we are. But our guys are starting to pick up on it and
starting to understand what we need to do on that end every single night."He's a workaholic as well. He's terrific with young players. He's terrific as far as working them out and getting them better. And his X's and O's are great. He was here with a great coach. Being here with George (Karl) helped him tremendously."
The move to Cleveland was a step up for Mosley, a Milwaukee native who played at Colorado from 1997-2001. Scott is known as a coach's coach. He gives his assistants a lot of responsibility.
Mosley can see the benefits.
"There's a level of confidence there now that just says you know you can," Mosley said. "For me, that's the big thing. I think I've developed a tremendous amount, truly."
He credits Scott, who three years ago took over the major rebuilding job left from the tumultuous departure of LeBron James. In Cleveland, it's all hands on deck. Injuries have sunk the Cavaliers to the second-worst record in the NBA.
"I love him," Mosley said of Scott. "He's been phenomenal. He allows us to voice our opinion. He allows me to take the defense and understand how we structure it. I can't sing his praises enough."
Mosley still follows his alma mater. He bet lunch with fellow former Nuggets assistant Stacey Augmon, now at UNLV, when the Rebels and Buffaloes met in last year's NCAA Tournament. (Augmon paid up.)
Friday, Mosley texted Buffs coach Tad Boyle to congratulate him on Thursday's win over USC.
"I told him, 'You don't need me to tell you, but phenomenal job with things going on up there,' " Mosley said. "He's always so complimentary of the alumni."
Karl praises Irving. Karl reminded the Nuggets that their losses last year included losses to Eastern Conference-bottom feeders Cleveland and Toronto. Cleveland won in Denver 100-99 when Irving scored 10 points in the fourth quarter, including the game-winner.
"He reminds me of a big Chris Paul," Karl said. "He can go anywhere. He loves the big plays, loves the big decisions."
Broncos fan. Karl wore a Broncos orange top before Friday night's game against Cleveland, courtesy of his daughter mentioning Friday's official Broncos Day. Karl will attend Saturday's playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High ? in a warm private suite.
"The coldest I've ever been in a football game was in Cleveland," said Karl, who coached the Cavs from 1984-86. "They had really bad boxes. You had like those plug-in heaters. You had your coats on."
John Henderson: 303-954-1299, jhenderson@ denverpost.com or twitter.com/ johnhendersondp
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