It was an early August evening at The Capital Grille, and George Karl was simmering like a filet mignon.
The Nuggets coach had a clear understanding that in the upcoming season, Nene’s role would be paramount. He wondered if Nene understood this too.
During dinner, Karl and Nene had “a direct conversation with a little anger,” said the coach, who let his starting center know he needed to start centering his days on basketball preparation.
“Since that day, I think he averaged four to five days in the gym, which he had never done for us,” Karl said.
And in the first week of preseason camp, well, “he’s been tremendous,” Karl said.
There have been glimpses of greatness, said the coach, and many have come during Denver’s scrimmages, in which Nene has dominated the low post, occasionally showing off his off-hand finishes at the rim, a nifty weapon for a big man.
Nene, of course, missed the majority of last season while recovering from testicular cancer, as well as suffering numerous other injuries. With center Marcus Camby traded to the Clippers, Nene has been anointed the starting center, while Denver fans have their fingers crossed that the injury-prone player will be prone only to double- doubles.
Karl said he expects Nene to go from seemingly “overpaid” to “underpaid,” but it will be a process that spills into the season.
“When you miss a whole season, there are little steps to regain confidence, condition and involvement with the team,” Karl said. He added: “I would say the two guys if we lose, we couldn’t replace, would be Nene and Carmelo (Anthony).”
