EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — When Nuggets guard J.R. Smith returns from suspension Tuesday at Chicago, he will not immediately start, coach George Karl reiterated Wednesday.
“Right now, I’m not a big believer that starting him is as important as some people are writing,” Karl said.
Smith, who served the fifth of a seven-game suspension Wednesday at New Jersey, has traveled with the team on the current six-game road trip.
“There’s a rustiness that comes with not playing in NBA games that he’s going to have to fight through,” Karl said. “We have not had a lot of practices, either. He’s been playing one-on-one with my assistants and shooting 500 shots a day and running to try and stay in shape. That’s different than being jumped on a double team or being physically guarded by Bruce Bowen or something like that.”
Martin, on the Nets.
Kenyon Martin remembers the good times. The years when the Izod Center was Continental Airlines Arena. The seasons when the Nets not only made the playoffs, but trips to the NBA Finals.
That seems so long ago now. The Nets that he once again returned to face Wednesday are a shell of the Martin- and Jason Kidd-led title contenders. These Nets have the youngest starting five in the NBA at an average of 22.8 years old. And not all of those players are healthy anymore.
“A lot of young guys, man,” Martin said. “So it’s tough for them right now.”
Footnotes.
Forward Joey Graham (toe) did not play Wednesday. He aggravated a previously sprained right toe Tuesday at Indiana. He is day to day. . . . Chris Andersen (knee) and Chauncey Billups (ankle) both played.
