Sitting at his house Tuesday night, watching NBA games, Nuggets center Nene felt his palms start sweating.
“I was so nervous,” Nene said. “I was nervous yesterday when I was watching games on TV. I said (to myself): ‘Bro, you’re going to be playing. The season is going to start tomorrow. Are you ready?’ “
The answer was yes — with room for improvement. A more assertive Nene is what the Nuggets wanted, and they got some of that Wednesday night in their opening-night win against Utah.
The starting center finished with 16 points and six rebounds, many of which came in the first half, because he played through having a strained left calf in the second.
Nene got in the act early with five points, a rebound and a blocked shot in the first quarter. And he did it in typical Nene style, running the court for early opportunities at the bucket. His teammates found him, and the Brazilian finished strong at the rim more often than not.
Playing hurt, he shot just 2-of-3 after halftime and was unable to have much of the same success he had in the first half. He took just one shot in the third quarter and fouled out in the fourth.
Instead of talking about his performance, Nene focused on the team.
“I was satisfied because the team played well, we played good,” Nene said. “That will keep me satisfied.”
According to coach George Karl, if the Nuggets are to advance to the NBA Finals, Nene is going to have to be one of a few players who must raise their play. For Nene, that means getting above the 14.6 points and 7.8 rebounds that he averaged last season and being more aggressive in doing so.
It’s no secret Nene has the potential to play at an all-star level; he has displayed it on numerous occasions. Now what’s required is the willingness and toughness to do it on a nightly basis in one of the roughest positions.
Many nights the 250-pound Nene will be guarded by bigger players, and that was the case Wednesday when the 263-pound Mehmet Okur matched up with him. Bruising forwards Paul Millsap and Carlos Boozer took their turns bumping with Nene as well.
The Nuggets hope that doesn’t result in a quick wear-down effect as the season goes on.
Tonight, Nene’s task is tougher, as he’ll be matched up against a rested and ready 7-foot Greg Oden in Portland. And Joel Przybilla, who stands 7-1, comes off the bench to mix it up with Nene.
But Nene has a decent recent history against Portland. Last season, he averaged 15.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists against the Trail Blazers. He shot 65 percent from the field, helping the Nuggets take the season series.
“It’s definitely going to be a hard game, a physical game, so let’s play,” Nene said. “I just need to play and keep focused game by game. That’s what I’m going to try to do.”
Chris Dempsey: 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com
