Nuggets big men Marcus Camby and Kenyon Martin know there is a big difference between being in the lineup together and being able to perform at a high level together.
Camby and Martin have been in the starting lineup together six games in this young season. But the Nuggets are hopeful Monday night’s game against the New Jersey Nets will mark the first time both are in the lineup together and relatively healthy.
“The inconsistency in playing together has probably stopped them from progressing,” Nuggets coach George Karl said. “I still think they’re two all-star caliber players.”
The Nuggets are 8-6, but just 2-4 when Camby and Martin are in the starting lineup together. In all six games, Martin has been plagued by tendinitis in his left knee. The 6-foot-9, 240-pounder has also missed five games this season to aftereffects of knee surgery.
But during a 105-95 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night, Martin had possibly his best game of the season, statistically and physically. The sixth-year veteran had 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting and grabbed six rebounds in 24 minutes. And with 12 seconds left in the game, Martin showed his ailing knee was feeling good when he grabbed a defensive rebound above the rim.
In order for him to remain healthy and productive, Martin would like to stay in the 20- to 25-minute range for now.
“I felt good, I can jump,” Martin said. “The little system that they came up with for playing time is working. It was a good sign, me jumping in the fourth quarter, getting a few rebounds. I’m excited about that.”
While Martin looked good, Camby missed his first game of the season with a bone bruise on his right leg suffered against Detroit on Wednesday. Camby wore a knee brace and calf sleeve during a light practice Saturday.
With four days’ rest, Camby expects to be back in the starting lineup on Monday. The 6-11, 230-pounder is averaging 16.8 points, an NBA-best 13.9 rebounds and is second in the league in blocks per game at 3.31.
“I’m trying out different sleeves and braces to wear on my knee and leg,” Camby said. “There is a good shot I’m going to be out there Monday. I’m having (some difficulty) putting weight on it and running and jumping on it. I have another day and a half to get ready for Monday’s game. I think I’ll be all right.”
Rumors persist
Newsday and ESPN’s “NBA Shootaround” show tossed out rumors last week that Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe isn’t expected to return to the Nuggets next season. Vandeweghe has been taking the rumors in stride and said he is concentrating on doing the best job possible. His contract doesn’t expire until Aug. 1, 2006.
“There are always rumors,” Vandeweghe said. “But I’m very grateful to come and work at a place that I love with people I really enjoy. It’s a wonderful opportunity for me. There are many, many players that end up in situations where rumors are circulating.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to demonstrate how you act in a situation like this. You do the best job you can and hopefully things work out for the best.”
Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke could not be reached for comment and told a team spokesman to refer to previous comments he’s made about contract situations. Via e-mail on July 15, Kroenke told The Denver Post he doesn’t discuss internal matters, wouldn’t comment further and said he was happy with Vandeweghe. While there have been problems in the past, Vandeweghe and Kroenke are talking more regularly.
Footnotes
The Nuggets will practice early today, at 9:30 a.m., to allow coach George Karl to go to Idaho to see his son Coby play for Boise State against Montana State-Northern at 2 p.m. Coby, a starting guard, is averaging a team-best 19 points. … Vandeweghe said while the Nuggets always have their eyes open, there are no strong trade talks going on right now.
Marc J. Spears can be reached at 303-820-5449 or mspears@denverpost.com.
