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Forbes, 26, spent a few years playing in the Philippines, Venezuela, Israel, and Italy, and is not against returning to international basketball if the lockout lingers. Forbes will receive added exposure playing in the FIBA Americas next month. “I’m pretty much used to [playing overseas], I’ve been there before and it would be nothing different for me,’’ he said. “I thought about it. My agent is working on some good situations and hopefully if the lockout ends before that I will be getting ready to put on a Denver Nuggets jersey next year. As far as next year goes, it will be different just having the whole year without having any distractions.’’ Boston Globe

Denver Nuggets, Lockout, Gary Forbes 

Forbes, the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year in 2007-08, appeared in 63 games for Denver last season, averaging 5.2 points and 12.6 minutes per game. Because of the Anthony shake-up, Forbes’s playing time fluctuated; he played just two minutes in the first-round playoff series against Oklahoma City. But he is a valuable commodity because he comes inexpensive and can play defense. “I definitely didn’t have a normal rookie year, so many ups and downs starting with the trade rumors,’’ he said. “One thing I did learn, we did focus on handling the task at hand and we didn’t let all the outside distractions [in]. Going on to my next season in the NBA, I know how to deal with the outside pressures.’’ Boston Globe

Denver Nuggets, Gary Forbes 

Gary Washburn: Denver Nuggets swingman Gary Forbes tells the Globe he's open to playing overseas if there is an extended lockout Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Lockout, Gary Forbes 

The Denver Nuggets have offered contracts to restricted free agents Arron Afflalo, Wilson Chandler and Gary Forbes. The team also said Monday that it has exercised the fourth-year option on guard Ty Lawson. ESPN.com

Denver Nuggets, Wilson Chandler, Ty Lawson, Arron Afflalo, Gary Forbes 

Afflalo, a shooting guard, and Chandler, a small forward, received qualifying offers of about $3 million, two sources confirmed. If the NBA is shut down by a lockout, it's possible the players will seek long-term contracts once the lockout ends. The Nuggets and Afflalo's management have expressed mutual interest in working out a deal. Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Wilson Chandler, Arron Afflalo, Gary Forbes 

Gary Forbes wakes up and starts almost every morning with a tweet: "Thanking God for another day alive . . . #Blessed." Living is something Forbes no longer takes for granted. Each day after his GForbz3 tweet, Forbes takes two insulin shots. There is another shot before lunch and one or two more before he goes to bed. The Nuggets small forward has lived with Type 1 diabetes since he was diagnosed in 2005 when he was 19. "I'm pretty much used to it by now," Forbes said. "It doesn't bother me. It doesn't affect me. I'm still out here running up and down like everybody else." Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Gary Forbes 

Gary Forbes: I can't believe my bro @Carmelo Anthony has only made the All-Star game 3 times.. That's insane. Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Carmelo Anthony, Gary Forbes, All-Star 

In what will go down as one of the more creative rookie hazings in NBA history, Gary Forbes was made to sing "Happy Birthday" to Nuggets teammate Kenyon Martin. The video is entitled "The Rookie Sings to K-Mart". Martin turned 33 on December 30th and was serenaded by rookie forward Gary Forbes as teammates took video with their cell phones. Coach George Karl can be seen giggling in the background. Examiner

Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Kenyon Martin, Gary Forbes 

Before the Knicks beat Forbes' Nuggets, 129-125, Spike Lee, the denizen of all things Brooklyn, admitted to the Daily News that he had never heard of Forbes, who starred at Banneker High in Fort Greene. Maybe he should have known him since Forbes' team lost to Sebastian Telfair and Lincoln in the 2003 PSAL city championship game at the Garden. Lee famously chronicled Coney Island's Lincoln High in his film, "He Got Game." While Telfair jumped from Lincoln to the NBA, Forbes took a meandering journey to the pros, through a pair of high schools, two colleges, Italy, Israel, the NBA Development league and finally to the Denver Nuggets this season. His performance Sunday (six points), may not have drawn Lee's attention, but if the famous director ever needs a subject for a new film, he may want to draw on Forbes' inspiring story. "Gary is someone who's always had to deal with obstacles," said Wendell Saunders, who coached Forbes at Banneker. "It's never really come easy for him. He's had to stay confident and keep his head on straight." New York Daily News

Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Spike Lee, Sebastian Telfair, Gary Forbes 

Forbes has played with Type 1 diabetes since being diagnosed with the condition five years ago, a testament to his desire to reach the highest level. And that hasn’t gone unnoticed by Karl, a brutally honest coach who can be tough on rookies. “Gary has gotten some opportunity because of the situation and I think he’s done great,’’ Karl said on the team’s website. “His confidence for a young player is pretty impressive. He thinks he belongs out there. He plays with a lot more confidence and consistency than most young players.’’ Boston Globe

Denver Nuggets, Gary Forbes 

We couldn't stop laughing. In a league of bennies beyond belief, Carmelo Anthony has to be the first in history whose domain distends three full stalls, one on each side (where he stores assorted belongings) of his lounging locale. "Four, actually," Harrington corrected, pointing at Gary Forbes, two stalls removed. "That's his rookie. He controls him and his space, too." New York Post

Denver Nuggets, Carmelo Anthony, Gary Forbes 

When Gary Forbes was first diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2005, he wanted to keep the news quiet. It was more of a survival instinct than a product of shame or embarrassment. With NBA aspirations, Forbes didn’t want scouts, coaches and executives to view his disease as a sign of weakness. Now that he’s starting to make a name for himself with the Denver Nuggets, Forbes is much more willing to share his story with others who face the daily challenges of living with diabetes. NBA.com

Denver Nuggets, Gary Forbes 

Forbes and teammate Al Harrington took part in a youth basketball clinic Saturday for about 40 boys and girls with diabetes. The clinic was suggested by Forbes after he made Denver’s roster as a training-came invitee in October. “I don’t think everybody’s that well-educated on diabetes,” Forbes said. “Hopefully, with these things that other athletes are doing, we can spread the message so people can be aware that it’s definitely a manageable disease.” NBA.com

Denver Nuggets, Gary Forbes 

Forbes credits former UMass coach Travis Ford for his work ethic and believes that his time overseas hardened him as a player. This summer, Forbes said his confidence was "focused in the right direction. My energy, everything. I had tunnel vision. My mind was in one place — the NBA. "I told my agent (Lance Young) not to even think of any overseas teams this year. There were a lot of them calling with good money, but I turned everything down. I knew this was my year to get in the NBA. Masai (Ujiri) and Josh (Kroenke) took a chance on me, and it was a great opportunity." Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Gary Forbes 

Despite giving up six inches to the 7-foot Nowitzki, Forbes limited him to two points in the game’s first eight minutes. Nowitzki eventually broke loose for 35 points in Dallas’ 102-101 victory, with 19 of those points coming when Forbes was on the bench. “I’m just a real confident, positive person. I figured I was going to do well,” Forbes said. “I had that positive outlook that I was going to do well, come in and contribute and help the team. It didn’t end up the way I thought it would be – with a win – but it’s a stepping stone.” Forbes, who spent the past two years playing in the NBA Development League and overseas, finished with 12 points, three rebounds and two assists in a performance that should earn him more playing time Friday night against the Los Angeles Clippers. “He’s outworked some guys in practice,” Nuggets coach George Karl said. “We knew we had to play somebody some minutes that probably would be unorthodox. He’s earned it by his hard work and his commitment to practice and getting better.” NBA.com

Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Dirk Nowitzki, Gary Forbes 

He had no clue who the guy guarding him was at the start of his 924th game. "I actually did not... I had not (ever heard of Forbes),'' said the Dallas forward. The 13-year veteran wasn't alone. Mavericks center Tyson Chandler also had zero knowledge of the guy wearing No. 0 and starting at forward for the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. "I didn't know who he was before the game and, for a while, when he kept hitting jump shots, I was trying to figure out who he was,'' Chandler said. The no-name guy is Gary Forbes, a 6-foot-7 undrafted rookie forward who played in just his third NBA game. Forbes, 25, who got out of Massachusetts in 2008, spent two years banging around the NBA D-League and in Italy and Israel before making the Nuggets on a non-guaranteed contract. "I think they were surprised to see Gary out there,'' Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony said of the Mavericks. "I was surprised to see Gary.'' FanHouse.com

Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Dirk Nowitzki, Gary Forbes 

The no-name guy is Gary Forbes, a 6-foot-7 undrafted rookie forward who played in just his third NBA game. Forbes, 25, who got out of Massachusetts in 2008, spent two years banging around the NBA D-League and in Italy and Israel before making the Nuggets on a non-guaranteed contract. "I think they were surprised to see Gary out there,'' Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony said of the Mavericks. "I was surprised to see Gary.'' Forbes got his unexpected first career start because Nuggets center Nene was ruled out just before the start of Wednesday's game due to a groin strain. So Denver coach George Karl sought out Forbes, who had played 10 minutes combined in Denver's first three games. Obviously, that was not enough to make the Mavericks' scouting report. "Probably like 20 minutes before the game, coach told me to be ready to start and be ready to guard Dirk. So that's what I tried to do,'' said Forbes, who said he wasn't nervous because he "got those jitters out in preseason.'' FanHouse.com

Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Dirk Nowitzki, Gary Forbes 

Meanwhile, the Nuggets have discovered Forbes. At least Nowitzki now knows who he is. "He surprised me,'' Nowitzki said. "He's an energy player. He actually made shots there ... He played hard.'' But he didn't surprise Karl, who raved about Forbes during the preseason. But how many coaches would have had enough guts to have started Forbes on Wednesday, when Karl did have available journeyman big man Melvin Ely and Renaldo Balkman, who has been rotting on the bench in Denver for a few years with no sign of that ending. "I thought he earned it,'' Karl said of starting Forbes. "He's earned it by what he's done in practice. He's outworked some guys (read: Balkman) in practice.'' FanHouse.com

Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Dirk Nowitzki, Gary Forbes 

Alex Kennedy: Gary Forbes is expected to make the Denver Nuggets. He has been impressive in camp and preseason, averaging 10.1 points in 19.1 minutes. Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Gary Forbes