A truly Special day on the Pepsi Center hardwood

Full of smiles, enthusiasm and an indomitable spirit, they were bigger than their bigger-than-life heroes Melo, K-Mart and Birdman.

About 140 athletes worked on their hoops fundamentals and simultaneously inspired the Nuggets’ players, coaches and athletic training staff Tuesday during the team’s sixth-annual Special Olympics Colorado basketball clinic on Feb. 23 at Pepsi Center.

After high-enery strength-and-conditioning coach Steve Hess led the participants through some warm-up exercises, the participants split up into four stations.

Chauncey Billups, Anthony Carter, Ty Lawson and assistant coaches Adrian Dantley and John Welch worked with the athletes on their ball-handling skills.

Chris “Birdman” Andersen measured vertical leaps as part of the training-and-conditioning station that also included Arron Afflalo, Kenyon Martin, assistant coach Larry Mangino and athletic training staff members Jim Gillen, Matt Friia and Dan Shimensky.

Carmelo Anthony, Joey Graham, J.R. Smith and assistant coaches Jamahl Mosely and Stacey Augmon gave shooting tips, while Nene, Malik Allen, Johan Petro, Renaldo Balkman and assistant coach Chad Iske worked with the athletes on defense and rebounding.

“It’s great that the kids get to shoot around on our court,” Smith said. “When they make the shot, everybody’s excited. It’s just fun all the way around. By far, I think it’s the most important appearance/event we do throughout the whole year.”

The event, sponsored by Comfort Dental, included groups of athletes from the Denver-metro area, Greeley and Fort Collins.

Greg Fielder’s son Troy was among the participants decked out in dark-blue Nuggets T-shirts.

“Not very often do you get to come down and meet the Nuggets and have a great time,” Fielder said. “He gets to wear the shirt, take it to school and show all his friends the autographs he got. It’s a big deal.”

Judging from the perpetual smiles on the faces of Nuggets players and coaches, the feeling was mutual.

“Our players and coaches really enjoy the clinic,” said Doug Fulton, senior manager of fan development for Kroenke Sports Enterprises. “It’s everything that’s right about sports – helping each other, trying your best and having fun.

“Both the Special Olympic athletes and our team look forward to this day all year, and no one leaves disappointed. I’m proud to work for a team that takes great pride in their community.”