Steve Blake’s comfort level on the court has risen exponentially in the past month.
Not coincidentally, that was when the Nuggets’ rotation began settling in.
Blake’s odyssey began when he was traded to the Nuggets in January. He started and made positive waves at his natural point guard position. Then he was moved into an off-guard slot when coach George Karl wanted to get Allen Iverson more touches on the offensive end. Now, Blake has migrated back to primarily point guard duties.
“I’ve been back in place,” Blake said. “I’m pretty much settled into the point position.”
Blake isn’t the only one.
The Nuggets are a more cohesive-looking unit on the offensive and defensive ends. With a mostly healthy team, Karl has locked in on a rotation that has been able to jell as the NBA playoffs approach.
“We’ve got different guys stepping up every night,” forward Linas Kleiza said. “And that’s good for the playoffs.”
Karl maintains he doesn’t think much about who plays when and where.
“I’m not into that,” Karl said. “My whole thing is to try to keep guys fresh. During the game, I have no idea who I’m going to have on the court.”
But the numbers say otherwise.
Eight players get the majority of the time. Starters: Blake, Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, Nene and Marcus Camby. Off the bench are Kleiza and J.R. Smith as the top two reserves, and forward Eduardo Najera to provide relief and toughness in the post.
“I think it’s good,” Blake said. “Guys know what’s going to be going on, their role. And I think in the playoffs, if we’re playing well, we know something’s working, we’re going to stick with it.”
The Nuggets’ evolution to get to this point was difficult. The three most drastic changes have been in the playing time of guards Smith and Yahkouba Diawara and Kleiza.
Smith was a starter for much of the early part of the season, averaging 29.2 minutes in the first 22 games of the season. But after his fighting suspension in mid- December, things changed. Smith’s minutes declined, and his role was changed to a “spark” off the bench as Karl looked for better decision-making on offense and more of a willingness to defend and rebound from the young player. In the past 19 games, Smith has averaged 15.9 minutes and eight points.
Diawara began the season as a reserve Karl counted on for defense and some 3-point shooting. His peak was his fill-in work in December and January while Smith and Anthony were out during their suspensions, averaging 22.9 minutes a game.
But Diawara hasn’t played in 11 of the Nuggets’ past 16 games.
Kleiza has seen a sharp rise in his minutes. He averaged 8.4 minutes in his first 22 games, and then got more playing time, which helped his confidence during Smith’s and Anthony’s absence. In March and April, Kleiza more often than not has been the first player off the bench, averaging 23.9 minutes.
Said Blake, about Karl: “I think going into every game he has something in mind, the same pattern, routine. And I think it will vary a little based on performance. Otherwise, I think he’s got a set rotation, times when guys come out and stuff like that.”
Karl insists that rotation will come with a short leash in the playoffs.
“I think everybody knows we’re on a short rotation, and somewhat of a short rope,” Karl said. “Some of the guys are on short ropes.”
Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.
