Tour guide: Steve Hess provides peek at practice court

Already equipped with an outstanding weight room, the Nuggets recently resurfaced their Pepsi Center practice court. Workers from All City Floor Co. spent more than three weeks sanding the hardwood to its natural state, recoating and repainting 7,200-square-foot area.

The practice court used to have the Nuggets’ mountain logo in the center jump-ball circle, but it was replaced by the team’s pick axe logo. The wood finish is a little darker, and the court is now an exact replica of the main Pepsi Center court.

Pepsi Center conversion director Glen Lucero said it is the first time in seven years that the court has been completely resurfaced. It was a laborious process that required All City Floor workers to sand down to the original wood and re-apply the stain and polycoat that gives the court its color and shine.

The lines, logos and letters were then painted and allowed to dry before a final protective coat was applied. Each step took several days, but the entire process won't have to be repeated for quite some time. All City Floor will return every couple years to screen and recoat the hardwood.

The court, a popular stop during Pepsi Center tours, was off limits during the project, but Nuggets strength-and-conditioning coach Steve Hess provided video tour as the doors opened again this week.

Hess, entering his 15th season with the Nuggets, is widely considered one of the best strength coaches in professional sports. He designed and arranged the team’s weight room and is one of only 12 trainers worldwide on the Under Armour training council. Hess, who brings unrivaled enthusiasm to his craft, is also the official spokesperson for the National Sports Center for the Disabled.