Seattle – For the first time in more than a month, Nuggets coach George Karl may have to figure out how to deal with hurt feelings instead of hurt players.
When they open the playoffs tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers, the Nuggets will be as close to healthy as they have been since mid-March, when they were hitting their stride on a 5-2 road trip. Karl has more players to choose from for the same number of minutes, and while that may cause a few headaches, the team agreed it beats the alternative.
“I think it’s a luxury,” said shooting guard Greg Buckner, who said his bruised left knee felt fine. “I don’t think it’s a problem at all. In the playoffs, some guys get hot, some don’t. Guys have got to sit down and accept that, regardless of who it is.”
Buckner’s position is one of two in the starting lineup that could be in flux during the series. Karl would not say Friday whether he would start Buckner or Ruben Patterson at off guard.
Kenyon Martin said he anticipated coming off the bench at first, paving the way for Francisco Elson to start.
“We’ll play with the lineups each game, matchups, the way they start,” said Martin, who rested his left knee for part of Friday’s practice after a full two-hour run Thursday night. “We’ll see. It don’t matter, man, as long as I’m in at the end of the game with the game on the line.”
Another injured regular, Earl Boykins, also appears to be getting up to speed after missing the past 16 regular-season games with two broken bones in his left hand. Forward Carmelo Anthony said Boykins’ play surprised him in practice.
Boykins said he never has felt so energized heading into the postseason.
“I actually feel fresher,” he said. “I look at the injury as I missed time, but it gave me a chance to rest. I’ve never had a rest period during the season. That’s how I’m approaching it right now.
“I definitely feel that I’m the freshest player heading into the playoffs.”
Karl said he needs Boykins to be a factor in the series but did not want to get too excited by a handful of strong workouts.
“It’s a wait-and-see process,” Karl said. “Is his excitement and his adrenaline going to overcome his rust? I don’t know. Sometimes he’s shown me he’s been Superman. I’m hoping we can see it again.”
Denver players and coaches also downplayed the idea that the team lacks momentum heading into the playoffs. They lost their last four games, though they did rest regulars, especially in the final two games.
“When I played in Jersey, man, we sat guys the last few games and we made it to the Finals, and went on and swept people in the first and second round,” Martin said. “That’s overrated.”
As for the reconstructed lineup the forward said, “We’ve got to jell together. Whether we know how to or not, we’ve got to make it happen. We’ve got to will it.”
