Denver Post sports writer Benjamin Hochman will post his Nuggets Mailbag every Wednesday during the 2008-09 NBA season on DenverPost.com. This is the season opener. The weekly schedule will commence Nov. 5.
To drop a Nuggets- or NBA-related question into the Nuggets Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
Benjamin – I am really excited to see . How has he looked at camp?
— Sean, Pueblo
Sean – I’m excited about the Birdman, too. I previously covered the Hornets for the New Orleans Times-Picayune, and I got to know Chris Andersen during the 2004-05 season, the one where he blossomed into a legitimate rotation player.
That season, I wrote a huge story about him and spent a whole day with him, driving around New Orleans. I’ll always remember unbridled goofiness. (During his house tour, he pointed out a statue, inevitably picked out by his girlfriend at the time, which showed a couple hugging. He pointed at the statue and said something like, “It’s two lovers, coming together as one.” Then, he pointed at the bathroom, saying: “And there’s the crapper.”)
Years later, it was devastating how his addictions took over his life. But it was uplifting and inspiring to see him overcome those addictions. To me, that was the accomplishment. The fact that he’s back in the NBA is just icing on the cake.
As for Birdman’s role on the Nuggets, I think he’ll get some quality playing time. He is an active defender, a hustle player and, really, one of Denver’s only big reserves. Coach George Karl worries that the two years off will be tough to bounce back from right away — that it could take some time for Andersen to get into a routine. But, Andersen seems to have the dedication to persevere. He’s driven. And he cherishes the game arguably unlike any other played does — or could, because of his circumstances.
I saw your . Can he manage his intensity and make us forget Marcus Camby this season?
— Mike, Fort Collins
Mike – I don’t know about “forget,” but if Martin continues to have his cheerful attitude — mixed with his game-time intensity — he is clearly a double-double weapon. I think it’s fascinating to watch Nene and Martin mesh in the low post. They seem to feed off one another’s energy.
Martin yearns to get involved offensively though, and with the rise of J.R. Smith and Nene, too, we’ll see how that affects Martin’s touches. Hopefully for you, he’ll be as happy in April as he is in October.
. What can we expect? Thanks.
— Terry, Fort Collins
Terry – Right now, who knows? That’s the same question George Karl is asking. He wants to see the kid more than anyone, so Karl can know what he has.
When Weems was drafted, Denver gushed about his versatility and his jaw-dropping athleticism. Just type “Sonny Weems” into YouTube, and you’ll see some of the coolest dunks online (notably the ones from his juco days). But Weems is injured right now, and this groin injury has lingered for a while. Hopefully, it won’t be a lost year — but it will be hard to crack the rotation when you don’t even participate in preseason.
What where they thinking in letting Eduardo Najera go? For $3 million per season (four years/$12 million) it seems like it would have been pretty easy to keep him.
— Bob Locke, Greeley
Bob – Sounds easy, but when you’re over the cap, $3 million is $6 million, and entering his fourth season with New Jersey, Najera is going to be 35 years old. Denver obviously could use Najera now, but it’s a gamble whether or not he would be worth the money for that fourth season. (Denver would have seriously considered signing him for three years.)
Has Carmelo Anthony said anything about his experience at the Olympics or learning from Mike Krzyzewski? Thanks.
— Mitch, Denver
Mitch – Carmelo gushes about his experience with The Redeem Team. He relished the idea of teamwork, playing defense and representing something bigger than yourself. If this mindset can translate into the Nuggets season, I bet Carmelo will become a better overall player. But it’s easy to talk to the talk.
It will be up for Melo, say, during a February back-to-back, to dip into his memory bank and feed off the perspective he gained in Beijing. Otherwise, it could be another frustrating season of fighting for a playoff spot — not home-court advantage.
Benjamin Hochman covers the Nuggets for The Denver Post. To drop a question into his Nuggets Mailbag, or visit DenverPost.com’s .
