The first of two Denver Nuggets’ buses was stranded on the Santa Monica Freeway 15 minutes after it left its Westside hotel because of popping noises and a lot of black smoke.
“There was a pop, black smoke, another pop and more black smoke,” said team publicist Eric Sebastian. “Then we pulled over.”
Imagine seven NBA players, Marcus Camby and Eduardo Najera among them, standing on the shoulder wishing for their private Bentleys, Rolls or Benzes. Or even a cab.
“I don’t think anyone recognized us,” Sebastian said. “We were just in their way.”
Help was on the way 30 minutes later as the second of the team buses arrived and picked up the stranded players, coaches and team personnel. The entire Nuggets team arrived at Staples Center more than an hour after the first bus left the hotel.
“It was a good bonding experience,” Sebastian said.
