Karl adding size to lineup

Aaron J. Lopez and Chris Tomasson

Monday, April 21, 2008

Lisa Blumenfeld / Getty Images

The Nuggets' Linas Kleiza, left, and teammate Carmelo Anthony box out Luke Walton of the Lakers on Sunday.

Yes, size does matter.

At least for the Nuggets, as they try to match up with the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

After watching everyone but Jack Nicholson get to the rim Sunday in Game 1, Nuggets coach George Karl plans to go with a bigger starting lineup for Game 2.

"There will be more size," Karl said after putting his team through a film session and light practice Monday. "It's a matchup thing. I just don't think I want to give (Lakers coach) Phil (Jackson) as many post-ups and as many mismatch situations that he has in the lineup at the beginning of the game."

While Karl declined to offer specifics, 6-foot-8, 245-pound swingman Linas Kleiza is a strong candidate to replace 6-2, 195-pound point guard Anthony Carter as a starter.

Kleiza, who started 13 games during the regular season, scored 23 points as a reserve in Game 1 and can of put a body on people defensively in the low post.

Part of he Nuggets' defensive dilemma stems from the decision to put 6-9 power forward Kenyon Martin on Lakers guard Kobe Bryant.

With Martin guarding the 6-6 Bryant on the perimeter, Carter had to cover 6-10 forward Vladimir Radmanovic (or Radmanovic's 6-8 backup, Luke Walton). Kleiza provides a better matchup against Radmanovic, Walton and 6-10 forward Lamar Odom.

By employing a bigger lineup, Karl also can keep Martin on Bryant, who struggled from the perimeter when Martin was in the game.

"I contested a lot of his shots, but they still won the game, so, obviously, we didn't do enough," Martin said. "That's what the playoffs are all about - making adjustments and getting ready for the next game."

The Lakers would not mind seeing Martin check Bryant again in Game 2.

"As you know, that helped us out quite a bit," Jackson said.

Nene still iffy

Nuggets power forward Nene was in uniform for Game 1 but said it was only at Karl's request. Unless he can scrimmage in practice today, he remained doubtful about playing in Game 2.

"I don't know," Nene said. "I want to play five-on-five first."

Nene, who spent much of the season recovering from surgery to remove a cancerous testicular tumor, has missed the past seven games with a groin injury.

About-face

Bryant, who last summer asked to be traded, now is open to staying with the Lakers the rest of his career.

"Yeah, I am, absolutely," he said.

Bryant had been displeased Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak didn't beef up the roster and the 2005 trade of his best friend, Caron Butler, to Washington without Bryant's knowledge. But he was ecstatic after Kupchak acquired Pau Gasol at midseason.

"He goes from an F to an A-plus," said Bryant, calling the trade a "coup de grace."

Bryant can opt out of his contract after next season, when he makes $21.3 million. There are indications he could opt out but then sign a longer Lakers deal.

"I've always wanted to be here," Bryant said. "But I just felt like I was in a position before where I didn't have a choice (and asked for a trade). . . . My legs aren't as young as they used to be."

Different Camby?

Gasol is expecting a different Marcus Camby in Game 2.

While Gasol totaled 36 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists in Game 1, his counterpart at center ended up being benched for the entire fourth quarter. Camby, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, managed only four points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots.

"He didn't get to play that much one-on-one defense against me," Gasol said. "It was more helping off, and that's how I took advantage of it. When he had to leave me and lost contact with me, that's why they got hurt a lot."

Etc.

* Martin said he was surprised there was so much trash talk in Game 1. He and Bryant were assessed double-technical fouls after exchanging words in the fourth quarter. "I'm not getting caught up in it. It's over," Martin said.

* Nuggets guard J.R. Smith was sixth in the NBA Sixth Man Award balloting, receiving four votes for second place and 10 for third. Kleiza finished 11th.

* Bryant disputed the Nuggets' claim he elbowed Carter in the face when Carter fouled him on a breakaway in the third quarter. "That's absolute garbage and silly," Bryant said.

* Bryant also admonished Lakers fans for chanting "D-U-I" when Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony was at the free-throw line. "I thought it was uncalled for," he said. "But it's fans being fans."

* Asked about center Andrew Bynum returning from a knee injury for the playoffs, Jackson called it "such a remote thing we're really not seriously thinking about it." Among other Lakers big men, Ronny Turiaf was sent home from practice Monday because of a sore throat and DJ Mbenga was diagnosed with bruised ribs after being hit in practice.

He said it

"I'm disappointed in matching the level of competition. I think, in general, we froze up in a big game, the first game of a series, and I don't think we performed at a level we're capable of performing at."

Karl, on his team's lack of intensity in Game 1.

• April 22, 2008

  8:45 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  DJRMTNSPF writes:

  Nothing but selfishness and individualism. It does not matter what line-up is in until they learn to play as a team. How many times in the first game did the first player with the ball just chuck it up instead of look to pass. The Lakers, including Kobe, were smart enough to drive/dribble and pass to the open man. With the amount of talent the Nuggets have there is no reason they should not be far better. It is amazing that Doug Moe is not on the bench losing his mind over the lack of teamwork. Karl's coaching is pathetic.

• April 22, 2008

  10:18 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  misterbigge writes:

  Agree DJR, How is it still possible that NBA coaches think they can win any playoff game without having a defensive mind set? George, here's the secret to beating the Lakers. Start Smith, tell the team to get the ball to him immediately and have him launch threes all night long. And tell your players not to make the Lakers work on offense. In the chance the game is close at the end it would be a shame if they other guys didn't have the energy to make a big run.

  The George Karl Nuggets: top four in talent, bottom four in coaching. Middle of the pack results.

• April 22, 2008

  1:16 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  musicman80 writes:

  Per last Sundays game... Lakers will take it 4-0