Carmelo Anthony isn’t the only player who doesn’t see why the Nuggets can’t beat any Western Conference team in the playoffs. Put former Nuggets guard Chucky Atkins on that list.
“The Lakers didn’t look all that dominant over Denver the last time I saw them play,” Atkins said. “It’s up to those guys in that locker room as to how far they can go.”
Atkins was with the Nuggets for 1 1/2 injury-plagued seasons before Denver traded him to Oklahoma City for center Johan Petro in January.
Asked this week if the conference playoff race was more wide open after San Antonio announced guard Manu Ginobili was out for the season, Anthony said he didn’t “really see that one dominant team.”
Atkins agreed.
“When they want to play, and they play together, move the ball and they play for each other, they are one of the top teams,” Atkins said. “Obviously, they are the No. 2 seed in the West. So, it’s up to them.”
Martin sits.
Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin did not play against Oklahoma City on Wednesday, as he rehabs a strained left rib. Coach George Karl said Martin wants to play tonight against the Lakers, but the likelihood of that happening is slim.
“My gut says lets see where it goes Saturday and Sunday before we play on Monday,” he said. “I think he would like to play in the last two games. Maybe not 35 minutes but at least get on the court and play some.”
Chris Dempsey, The Denver Post
