LOS ANGELES — Tonight, playing the role of Carmelo Anthony, will be Joey Graham.
Yes, Joey “The Understudy” Graham will start at small forward tonight for Denver against the Lakers, because Melo is out for a sixth-straight game with a left ankle injury. Anthony said Friday morning at shootaround that he “probably” also will miss Saturday’s second of back-to-back games, at Utah.
Graham has logged a curious season thus far. Basically, he either starts for the injured Melo and plays big minutes — or doesn’t play at all.
“On any given day, he can be a big part of our offense and defense,” Anthony said of Graham. “He’s an agressor.”
Melo reiterated that he could play Tuesday against Dallas and in regard to the Feb. 14 All-Star Game, he said: “If I come back, then I’m back.” Meaning, he would play if he’s playing by then.
Coach George Karl trusts Graham, who is a brawny 6-foot-7 and plays good defense. In Denver’s last game, Wednesday’s loss to Phoenix, Graham started Melo-like. He was the first Nuggets player to reach double-digits in scoring. But he finished with 13 points and seven rebounds in 21 minutes.
It should be noted that in the game prior, the Nuggets’ overtime win against the Kings, Graham didn’t come out with the defensive energy that Karl desired, so the coach sent Graham back to the bench and wedged Anthony Carter into the rotation.
Karl said Graham will guard Ron Artest tonight.
“Two of the more physically strong players in basketball,” Karl said.
Without Melo and his 29.7 points per game, the Nuggets will rely on some scoring from Graham, but more from power forward Kenyon Martin, who has had an offensive renaissance this month.
Meanwhile, the Lakers’ all-star Kobe Bryant is questionable for tonight – he also has a left ankle sprain. The Nuggets are 7-4 without Melo. This is the second game against the Lakers this season – the Nuggets won the first in Denver, defeating the Lakers who were on the second game of a back-to-back and didn’t have Pau Gasol, due to injury.
Chauncey long distance
Nuggets point guard Chauncey Billups, added to the All-Star roster this week, will participate in the league’s 3-point contest on Feb. 13, the night before the game.
Billups will take on fellow All-Star Paul Pierce of Boston, defending champ Daequan Cook of Miami, as well as Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors and Danilo Gallinari of the New York Knicks and the Phoenix Suns’ Channing Frye.
Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1254 or bhochman@denverpost.com
