Najera hopes to return to lineup Friday

Recovering forward says final decision will be up to doctor

Aaron J. Lopez, Rocky Mountain News

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

For the average working stiff, Friday can't come soon enough.

It is no different for Denver Nuggets forward Eduardo Najera.

Just nine days removed from arthroscopic knee surgery, Najera is targeting a Friday return when the Nuggets play on the road against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

"That's when I want to be back," Najera said Tuesday. "Obviously, it's up to the doctor. He thinks that it might be good to get a couple extra more days. I've been pushing my knee real hard. It feels great."

Najera, averaging 5.9 points and 5.7 rebounds, underwent surgery Feb. 13 to smooth out a defect behind his right kneecap. The only pain remaining, he said, is from the surgical incision.

"I can deal with that," he said.

The Nuggets could use Najera's energy and physical presence as they try to secure the No. 3 playoff seed in the Western Conference.

Though not a big scoring threat, Najera can defend any position and sets solid screens that enable Denver's guards to create on the perimeter.

"Eddie's one of those foundation guys that, when it starts shaking, he's strong and it doesn't shake as much," coach George Karl said.

Najera participated in some shooting drills Monday, but he has yet to test his knee in a scrimmage, something he hopes to do by Thursday.

If he is able to return Friday, he will have missed only three games.

"Personally, it kills me. I don't ever want to sit out," Najera said. "When I retire, then I'll sit out, but right now, I just want to play as much as I can."

Because of his desire to be on the court, Najera said he played in pain for two weeks before finally opting for surgery.

"I sat out during practices and just played the games," he said. "Pulled the Kenyon Martin routine, but it didn't work."

Martin, nearly 10 months removed from his own knee surgery, has been playing in pain all season, and he joined Najera in street clothes Tuesday night as Denver faced the Charlotte Bobcats.

Martin was limited to less than 9 minutes Feb. 15 against Phoenix in Denver's final game before the All-Star break, but five days of rest were not enough to get him back to full strength.

"I think he wants to get totally healthy and confident that the pain is entirely out of his knee," Karl said.

Martin, averaging 13.8 points and 6.7 rebounds, has missed 14 games - 11 because of his left knee.

TICK, TOCK: Progress was slow Tuesday as Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe worked the phones in advance of Thursday's NBA trade dealine.

Among those anxious see something get done are Denver guards Earl Watson and Voshon Lenard.

Almost since the start of the season, Watson's name has been prominent in trade rumors, and his playing time of late has been sporadic.

"Honestly, my whole focus is taking my game to another level, staying sharp for the last part of the season," he said. "No matter what situation I'm in, take advantage of it and make the best out of it."

Watson, who signed a five-year, $29 million contract last summer, played only 5 minutes, 43 seconds Tuesday night against the Charlotte Bobcats. He did not play in the second half, as starter Greg Buckner scored 19 points on 8-for-12 shooting.

"I thought 'Buck' was more solid, more consistent, more into the game," Karl said.

The good news for Watson is he is not Lenard.

Lenard began the season as the starting shooting guard but has not played since Dec. 15 - a span of 32 games - and is awaiting a trade. If the Nuggets are unable to move him, Vandeweghe said he will consider buying out the remainder of Len-ard's $3.27 million contract.

Lenard would have to be waived by March 1 to be eligible for the playoffs if he signs with another team.

"I have a lot of respect for what Vo's done," Karl said. "He has stayed extremely professional. I tip my hat to him. I don't think I could have done what he's done."

ETC.: Two days after suffering whiplash in a car accident, Bobcats point guard Raymond Felton scored 14 points and added 11 assists . . . In Martin's absence, Francisco Elson made his 34th start of the season and totaled 10 points and 11 rebounds. Denver is 21-13 in those games.