There is a bounce to Kenyon Martin’s step that the Nuggets haven’t seen in quite some time.
Martin is healthier and getting back to the minutes he used to play right when the Nuggets need him most. Quietly, Martin has averaged 34.5 minutes per game in his last four as he is being slotted back into the role he had before back problems limited him in February and most of March.
“I haven’t been this way in a long time,” Martin said after playing 26 minutes as the starters rested in the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ win over Golden State on Saturday. “I’m having no setbacks and no difficulties. I can move. Everything feels fine. It’s a great thing at this time of year.”
It’s no secret the Nuggets need Martin’s leadership and defense on the court. He is arguably the team’s best defender and anchors the team on the defensive end. When he was unable to play, the Nuggets looked disjointed many times on defense.
The Nuggets cut Martin’s minutes for a two-week span this month in hopes of getting him back to full strength. He played in the first half but sat out second halves, except for spot duty in some contests. None of that sat well with Martin, who wants to play 35 minutes or more every night,
“I don’t like that under-35- minute thing,” Martin said. “I can play as many minutes as we need.”
But he and the team are seeing the fruits of his patience.
“You can tell that he’s getting healthy,” guard Chauncey Billups said. “He’s getting rebounds. His defense is great, as always. He’s able to get lift on his shot. He’s back athletic, getting dunks down there. So, we need a healthy K-Mart, and right now we have one.”
Over his last four games, Martin is averaging 11.3 points and 6.5 rebounds.
“I feel great,” Martin said. “I’m just trying to make sure I’m in great shape, because I know I’m going to have to play big minutes in the playoffs and just do everything I can.”
Nene refocuses.
Nene says he wants to move beyond his incident at Phoenix last Monday. He received a two-game suspension after a head-butt and elbow thrown at Suns forward Louis Amundson and appealed the punishment. Nene returned to action Saturday, getting eight points and seven rebounds in his first game back.
“I put it behind me,” Nene said. “The NBA Players Association will take care of that. They are going to resolve it. Now I’m going to help my team get a good spot in the playoffs.”
The Birdman scoreth.
Chris Andersen is scoring more of late, averaging 11.2 points on 73 percent shooting (22-of-30) from the field in his last five games.
Why the surge?
“Why? Because I’m starting to heal,” Andersen said. “I was limited. I wasn’t able to get to the basket as much or jump as high and stuff like that. So now I’m starting to get back to it, thanks to the tremendous job of (athletic trainer) Jim Gillen and (assistants) Dan (Shimensky) and Matt (Friia) and (strength and conditioning coach) Steve Hess on trying to get me back to where I need to be.”
Meanwhile, Linas Kleiza is fuming about having to constantly talk about his up-and-down season. His 22 points against the Warriors on Saturday were the most he has scored in any game since getting 27 against Sacramento on Jan. 20.
“Shots went in,” Kleiza said. “I’m tired of talking about it.”
Chris Dempsey, The Denver Post
