The most important off- season of Nene’s career could be his last as a Nugget, though he hopes it isn’t.
Entering his fourth year, the 6-foot-11 power forward is looking to earn more playing time after injuries and the arrival of Kenyon Martin pushed him to the bench. His numbers dipped to career-low averages of 9.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game last season.
But, writing an e-mail translated by manager Joe Santos from his native Brazil, Nene said he hopes a regimen of weights and soccer will help him as he heads into the final year of his contract.
“I was a starter in the past and plan on working hard enough to regain my starting position,” he said. “I have been training every day and will continue honing my game the rest of the summer. I have never been in better shape at this point in the summer before.”
Nene said he views the soccer, which he plays a few hours a day three to four times a week, as a form of plyometrics, a set of exercises that uses explosive movements to develop muscles.
“My foot speed is definitely increasing,” said Nene, who lost 23 games to injury last season. “I am in great shape right now. I plan on maintaining this all summer while working on my game. I want to continue to work on my outside shooting, my inside moves and rebounding. I improved in all areas and want to take a giant leap this season.”
Nene said his agent, Michael Coyne, is reviewing the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement before beginning talks for a contract extension. Coyne said Saturday he has not arranged talks with Denver.
The Nuggets are deep at forward and could use Nene as bait in a sign-and-trade deal this summer. If he does remain in Denver this season, his longer-term future could be clouded by his salary, which could well jump from the $3 million he is due in 2005-06.
Asked about his future with the team, Nene replied, “I like the city of Denver and I love the Nuggets fans. So from those standpoints I would like to remain in Denver. However, I realize that the NBA is a business and I must be prepared for all contingencies.”
Footnotes
Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe said he expects the team to sign its two first-round draft picks before the team leaves Tuesday for its summer league in Las Vegas. … Former Memphis assistant coach John Welch should be joining the Nuggets to replace Rex Kalamian, who is negotiating a three-year deal to be a bench coach with Minnesota. … Nene declined comment on his recently canceled wedding.
