As much as injured Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin would like to play with newcomer Allen Iverson this season, he conceded that he won’t be able to. Martin on Sunday spoke about the addition of Iverson for the first time.
“I want to play, man,” Martin said. “This knee keeps talking me out of the playoffs. … Once (the Iverson deal) went down, I was like, ‘Maybe.’ I got to keep talking myself out of it. I want to play.
“No (hope). That’s what I keep trying to tell myself. I’m not going to rush it. I want to play. But it ain’t that important right now. All the guys are going to be there next year. If I can get it right from now throughout the summer, I’ll get it right for next (season).”
Martin said he is doing limited rehabilitation that includes strengthening his knee and staying off it. The 2004 NBA all-star said he needs “a few months” before he can get back on the court and that he is trying to occupy his time with “business stuff” outside basketball.
“It’s eating at me daily,” Martin said about not being able to play with Iverson.
Old ball makes a comeback
The NBA is going back to its traditional leather Spalding ball today and getting rid of a microfiber composite ball the company introduced this season. NBA players widely complained about the new ball being slick when wet, hard to shoot and wearing out quickly. After using the new ball for the last time against Dallas on Sunday night, the Nuggets will return to the old ball during practice today and in action Tuesday night against Philadelphia.
“It will be easier,” Nuggets guard Earl Boykins said. “With the (new) ball, every ball feels different. With the leather ball, they all feel the same.”
Footnotes
Nuggets forward-center Nene missed his third straight game Sunday because of right knee inflammation. But Nuggets coach George Karl said he was “feeling pretty good” about Nene returning against Philadelphia. “(Nene’s) doing real good,” trainer Jim Gillen said. “He’s taking it easy. It’s the best he’s felt.” … Forward Carmelo Anthony said he has been taking boxing classes to aid his conditioning “for a couple days now” and is working out at the Pepsi Center twice a day. “I might be in playoff shape when I come back,” said Anthony, who is scheduled to return from his suspension Jan. 22 against Memphis.
Marc J. Spears can be reached at 303-954-1098 or mspears@denverpost.com.
