In the Dallas-Denver game, Smith (1-for-14 from the field) threw an elbow toward Wright, and at halftime Cuban "barked" at Smith on the court, as Karl described it. Cuban explained the elbow "could have severely hurt" Wright.

Cuban said via e-mail Wednesday that he sent the tape to the NBA and wants Smith suspended. The league said it is reviewing Smith's and Cuban's actions.

"I have no problem with him judging that that was a play that should be sent to the league office - but stay away from my players, stay off the court," Karl said after Wednesday's practice. He added: "? There was no contact, it wasn't even close. It was more of a trash-talking, he-hit-me- and-I'm-not-stepping-down. But nothing happened.

"If this is a normal fan," he added, "he might have been banned from the building. And from my standpoint, when the game starts, he's a fan. And after the game, he's an owner."

On Wednesday night, Cuban told reporters in Dallas, "There's rules against blows to the head or elbows to the head in mixed martial arts - we don't want a league where it's OK to throw an elbow just because you think you're going to miss, because at some point, somebody's going to get hurt."

At practice Wednesday, some Nuggets players said they didn't appreciate Cuban's actions. Smith breezed past reporters, and a Nuggets official said Smith declined to comment.

He did speak to Mile High Sports radio (KCKK 1510 AM) and said: "It was heat of the moment. A few things took course during the game that he didn't like, I didn't like. It's not really a beef - we won, and the thing is over with. He's a big fan of their team, and he was just trying to protect his players. But I can't really speak on it because my organization asked me not to speak about it."

In an e-mail response Wednesday morning, Cuban said: "My conversation with J.R. was actually very cordial and level-headed. I told him that it's not cool to throw elbows at someone's head, that I would be turning it into the league. He politely and cordially told me our player had grabbed him before that. I told him that if our guy did something wrong, I will say something to the player and he should turn it in to the league. ?

"And you can ask George, why he is condoning his players throwing elbows at people's heads away from the play? He thinks that looks good?"

Cuban saidat halftime he told Wright not to retaliate. And Cuban said Smith sent over autograph shoes, but "I sent them back saying he should sell them ? to help pay for the fine he was going to face."

Karl said: "In general, I think Mark is good for the game. He's always trying to make the league better. ? But don't mess with my players."

Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com