There weren’t any flags of surrender waved at the Nuggets’ practice Wednesday after forward Kenyon Martin’s indefinite suspension.
Already down 0-2 to the Los Angeles Clippers in the best-of-seven series, the Nuggets put on a brave face and talked about using a new rotation to stop L.A.’s powerful inside game.
“Having three, four power forwards on our team, being so deep at that position, at this point it really doesn’t matter,” small forward Carmelo Anthony said.
Without naming the players, Anthony was assigning the role of filling Martin’s absence to a group that includes Reggie Evans, Francisco Elson and Eduardo Najera.
Coach George Karl pointed to Najera for the first assignment, saying he probably would start tonight. After that, the coach said he would adjust.
“Every game is dictated by what happens in the game,” Karl said. “We have to play as we have all year when we’ve had to fill in for players who couldn’t play.”
Karl sounded optimistic his team would respond to the challenge.
“This team has done great things this year, but I don’t think it has been respected,” he said. “We have a chance to gain some respect in these next two games. Teams win, talent doesn’t win. We’re being challenged to be an excellent basketball team in the next two games. I think we can do it.”
The Nuggets were all business during Wednesday’s practice.
“We have to suck it up and get rid of all the mental distractions,” Najera said. “We’ve played pretty well without him (Martin). But he’s a huge defensive asset for us. In the playoffs, it depends on what you’re bringing to the table that night. Hopefully everybody will step it up now.”
Elson focused on another aspect of the game.
“It’s important that everybody contributes, because we have to take away their focus on Carmelo,” Elson said.
Evans said the Nuggets are aware of the inside effectiveness of Elton Brand and have to combat it.
“We’re going to be talking about that and what to do until this series is over,” Evans said. “Nothing has changed. The only change is he (Martin) isn’t here.”
Karl blamed a less-than-efficient offense for some of the Nuggets’ troubles, as well as Anthony’s first-half foul troubles in Game 2.
“We have not had the offensive confidence that we’ve had during spurts during the regular season,” Karl said. “In Game 1, we were the more physical and more talented team in the last 18 minutes. In Game 2, we were dealt a hand that I don’t think we’ve been dealt all season in being without Carmelo for 16 minutes in the first half.”
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-820-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
