At a point late in the third quarter of the Nuggets’ last game, Chris Andersen posted up, turned and faced a Detroit defender and put up a jumper. The shot missed, but the point was clear.
More offense from The Birdman is on the horizon.
The Nuggets forward is expanding his offensive game, and coach George Karl wants that to be the next step in Andersen’s progression as a basketball player. He’s already impressed Karl with heady, energetic play.
“Chris has done great,” Karl said. “He’s been surprisingly effective and efficient. And I think he’s working on what’s the next step for him. Can we get him more involved offensively? Can we give him more touches where we get good shots and good decisions?”
Andersen works daily after practice with coaches. Shots from the block all the way out to the 3-point line. Post-ups. Free throws. Monday, his after-practice session lasted more than 30 minutes.
“You’ve got to be ready for anything,” Andersen said. “Shot clock could be down with a couple of seconds left to go, and you’ve got to put up a shot. So, if you work on those shots consistently on a daily basis, when I take that shot in a game I have confidence it’s going to go in because I’ve shot millions of shots like that.”
Andersen’s season, his first full campaign since returning to the NBA from a drug suspension, is already one of his best. In 17.9 minutes, he is averaging 5.3 points and 5.2 rebounds, both ranking second- highest in his seven-year career. His 1.9 blocked shots per game are the highest of his career, helping the Nuggets maintain status as one of the better shot-blocking teams in the NBA.
During his suspension. Andersen said he was inspired by the Boston Celtics, who won the NBA title last season.
“I just had the mentality of coming back strong,” Ander- sen said. “Sitting and watching the Celtics win all of those games and go to the championship, I kind of took it to heart.
“So I was in the gym six hours a day. I put in the hard work to get to the point where I am, and I’m wanting to get past that point. I just got to stick with it, keep a strong mind and come out and perform the way I do.”
Andersen’s 28 games this season represent the most he’s played since the 2005-06 season, when he logged 32 games before being suspended for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. He says other than a few minor issues, his body is holding up fine.
“It took a couple of road trips to get back into that swing,” Andersen said. “I was sick on a couple of other road trips. I got a broken rib and had to sit out for that. I take my vitamins and get my rest, replenish my fluids. It’s a matter of just trying to take care of myself to keep on performing the way I’m capable of and helping all of the other guys.”
But most important, Andersen is having fun.
“I’m having a great time,” he said. “We have a great record (25-13, first in the Northwest Division). I feel great. The direction that this team is going, I like it. There’s times I want to be out there on the floor, as much as anybody else. That’s just what makes us, us — to strive to be the best that we can be.”
Chris Dempsey: 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com
Dallas at Denver
7 p.m., ALT, KCKK 1510 AM
Spotlight on Jason Kidd: The Mavericks are busily searching for help for their aging point guard. The 35-year-old Kidd is averaging a career-low 8.7 points, and his 8.3 assists are tied for the second-lowest average of his career.
Nuggets: The Nuggets are preparing center Johan Petro for playing time with upcoming games against Phoenix’s Shaquille O’Neal on Thursday, Orlando’s Dwight Howard on Saturday and Houston’s Yao Ming on Monday. Petro, acquired via trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder last week, has yet to play. . . . J.R. Smith is expected to start tonight. It would be his fourth start of the season. . . . Karl said he intends to find playing time for seldom-used Renaldo Balkman at small forward. He is averaging 13.8 minutes in 23 games.
Mavericks: Dallas will be without forward Josh Howard, who has a sprained right wrist. He did not make the trip. . . . The Mavericks were close to a three-team deal that would have landed them Charlotte point guard Raymond Felton. The deal, however, is on hold because of an injury to Bobcats guard D.J. Augustin, according to ESPN.com. . . . The Mavericks are 6-7 against Western Conference teams on the road.
Chris Dempsey, The Denver Post
