Kenyon Martin’s team suspension will last at least through the Nuggets’ next two playoff games against the Los Angeles Clippers, starting with Game 3 tonight, coach George Karl indicated Wednesday.
The indefinite suspension occurred partly because of the forward’s season-long behavior and partly over an incident Monday night at halftime of the Game 2 loss in Los Angeles, the team said. Martin, upset at playing only seven minutes in the first half, blew up at Karl during intermission and then refused to play in the second half.
“It’s what’s in your gut,” Karl said, explaining the team’s late-Tuesday decision. “It’s sad. It hurts me. It’s not something I’d like to do or want to do. But I think it is the right decision.”
As part of his suspension, Martin did not attend the team’s morning practice. He released a statement Wednesday afternoon through the Nuggets apologizing “to my teammates and coaching staff for my actions on Monday night. … I sincerely regret if this situation has been a distraction for the team.” Martin added that he wanted to rejoin the team as soon as possible.
General manager Kiki Vandeweghe talked with Martin Wednesday before practice.
“He said right away, ‘I did not handle that situation well. I would have probably done things differently had I had an opportunity. … All I want to do is help my team win.’ That is definitely, in my view, the right attitude,” Vandeweghe said. “He was in here shooting (Tuesday) night. He wants to stay in shape in case something’s lifted.”
It’s unclear when the suspension might be lifted or what it would take to lift it.
The Nuggets signed Martin to a seven-year, $92.5 million contract in July 2004 after a trade with the New Jersey Nets.
Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony called the whole incident “sad” and wished it hadn’t happened during the playoffs, when a team needs complete focus.
“Obviously, whatever happened, for George to suspend him, definitely it had to be something really bad,” Anthony said, adding that he was not in the locker room when the commotion started Monday night but returned to find “discombobulation.”
DerMarr Johnson, one of Martin’s best friends on the team, said the suspension did not surprise him.
“All the friendships, that’s aside from what I have to do,” said Johnson, who said he had not spoken with Martin as of Wednesday morning. “Right now, my focus is trying to help the team beat the Clippers. … I’m not worried about Kenyon. Kenyon will be all right. He’s a strong man.”
Forward Ruben Patterson, another friend from their days together at the University of Cincinnati, expressed hope the suspension will last just one game.
Asked if Martin’s actions were justified, Patterson replied: “Nah. Nah. He’s just a little frustrated. Everybody gets frustrated at one time or another. He just has to take tomorrow off and just come back Friday and help the team. He’ll be all right.”
Karl said he did not foresee a return before Game 5 Monday. The Clippers lead the best-of- seven series 2-0 and could end the Nuggets’ season Saturday.
Karl said he would speak with Martin and his agent, Brian Dyke, for as long as they wanted, to clear the air, but that might not be for a while. He said he does not want to distract himself from helping to bring his team back into the series.
Karl feuded during the season over the forward’s availability to practice and play. He also admitted he was “part of this problem” in that his communication could have been better. He added that he understood Martin’s frustration over the pain in his surgically repaired left knee, plus lack of involvement in the offense and playing time.
“He has a competitive heart that I love,” Karl said. “He has defensive skills that I respect and want on my team.”
As for how the team moves on, center Marcus Camby said, “Guys were here, committed to practice, committed to trying to change this thing around.”
Guard Earl Boykins predicted the move would not affect the team, saying, “If we needed a suspension to unite us, we weren’t going to win anyway.”
Statistically, at least, it appears the team might be fine. The Nuggets won 19 of 26 games Martin missed this past season.
Staff writer Marc J. Spears contributed to this report.
Staff writer Adam Thompson can be reached at 303-820-5447 or athompson@denverpost.com.
