Despite tough season, Nene sees positives

Chris Tomasson and Aaron J. Lopez

Published April 29, 2008 at 12:31 a.m.

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Photo by Barry Gutierrez / The Rocky

The Nuggets' Nene, going up for a shot against Pau Gasol on Monday, considers this season a success despite being swept by the Lakers because he returned from testicular cancer.

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Nuggets forward Nene was asked Monday whether he considers this a positive or negative season.

Nene didn't need words before he spoke, flashing his trademark smile.

"It's a positive," said Nene, who played in only 16 regular-season games and missed 21/2 months at midseason because of testicular cancer. "I know somebody in my position, they're not going to do what I did. I'm sure about that."

Nene took a leave of absence Jan. 11 and underwent surgery Jan. 14.

He returned March 27, getting a standing ovation before playing a scoreless final minute against Dallas.

"God gave me this opportunity to come back and I came back," he said before the Nuggets lost to the Lakers in Monday's Game 4. "I did what I can do. I know I can sleep and say I did my best."

After playing in four games following his return from cancer, Nene suffered a groin strain. He missed the final six regular-season games and the first playoff game before returning.

"I may look OK (on the court), but my body is feeling tired and sore," said Nene, who averaged 5.3 points during a regular season that also included missing 11/2 months in the fall because of a torn thumb ligament.

But Nene is confident he will get his body back in good shape when he works out in Denver during the first half of the summer.

Nene, who said he won't need any more chemotherapy, also is hoping for a clean bill of health regarding his cancer when he sees his doctor right after the season ends.

Chemistry needed?

The Nuggets could use some work in the laboratory. At least that's the word from Lakers guard Kobe Bryant.

"It all boils down to chemistry," he said when asked about the Nuggets. "It's not about talent necessarily. But it's about how well guys play together."

So it sounds as if the talented Nuggets need to find chemistry, something Bryant said his Lakers are doing.

"I hope so," he said. "That's kind of the trick. San Antonio's had it for years. We had it (winning titles from 2000 to 2002)."

Perhaps Bryant really doesn't hope the Nuggets find it. He doesn't give friend Carmelo Anthony too much advice for fear Denver would be "kicking our (butt)."

Players' coach

With his team under criticism for a perceived - and admitted - lack of passion in the series, Nuggets coach George Karl came to the defense of his players before Monday's loss.

"I'm frustrated as hell," he said. "My team isn't that far from playing the hardest and they're being maligned as a bunch of noncommitted athletes. That's a bunch of (expletive)."

Despite trailing the Lakers 3-0, Karl said he is proud of his players and coaching staff for winning 50 games during the regular season despite major injuries to point guard Chucky Atkins and power forward Nene.

"I know you guys don't want to hear this, but I have a feeling in July, I'm going to think this is one of the best years in coaching I've ever had," he said.

Not everyone shared Karl's opinion the Nuggets should be commended for a 50-win season followed by a fifth consecutive playoff exit.

"Fifty (wins) don't matter," forward Kenyon Martin said. "Everybody forgets about that. They remember those four games that you won in that series or those four games that you lost. That's what people judge you on."

Atkins vows to start

Atkins has made a vow.

"I'm going into next year like the job is mine," Atkins said of being the Nuggets' starting point guard. "I'm not worrying about who they bring in or nothing."

An often-injured Atkins played only 24 regular-season games and wasn't a factor in the playoffs. But he said he's now "healthy" and vows next season will be different.

The Nuggets could face a second straight summer with their point- guard situation up in the air. They lost starter Steve Blake last offseason before signing Atkins and re-signing Anthony Carter, who surprisingly became the starter and was effective.

But the future of Carter, who will be a free agent, isn't clear. Carter was benched in Game 2, although Karl came back to him by starting him in Monday's second half.

Carter, who had declined several recent interview requests, insisted before the game "everything's good." Because of not knowing, he said he "can't speak on the future."

Atkins stayed positive despite recent inactivity.

"Would I love to be out there in a playoff series? Of course," Atkins said before the game. "I also know I've been hurt all year and George (Karl) has his rotation. . . . The timing of me coming back (from a sports hernia in March) was sort of bad . . . I'm not going to go and get upset and mad."

Wanting to stay

Nuggets guards J.R. Smith and Yakhouba Diawara are restricted free agents this offseason, and both want to return.

Smith never has deviated from that stance and the Nuggets have indicated they want to keep him. Smith said he will take a "look at other" teams just to cover his bases.

"This is where I want to be, so I can't see myself anywhere else," he said.

Diawara would like to see the Nuggets make a quick decision on keeping him.

"Hopefully, I'll talk to the Nuggets and sign early," he said.

He said it

"I think that'd be the best world, but I'm not sure it's going to go that way at this point."

Coby Karl, Lakers guard and the son of the Nuggets coach, speaking before Game 4 on his preference being his team beating Denver four games to three.

Etc.

* Without naming schools, Nuggets assistant Mike Dunlap said there still could be colleges eyeing him for a coach position but that any possible talks were put on hold until after the playoffs.

* Before playing in the July 11-20 (Las) Vegas Summer League, Nuggets rookie Taurean Green, will return to the University of Florida in May and June to continue work on his degree in recreational programming. Green, who left Florida after his junior year, has promised his parents he will get his degree, and hopes to in the summer of 2009.

NUGGETS-LAKERS REPORT CARD

* Offense: When the Nuggets attacked the rim, good things happened, but their three-point shooting was horrendous. For the first time in the series, the Lakers were unable to score at will on easy baskets. Didn't matter much to Kobe Bryant, who took command in the fourth quarter.

Nuggets: B-

Lakers: B-

* Defense: The Nuggets did a better job moving their feet and keeping their hands active but ran into foul trouble. The Lakers stuck to the plan of crowding the lane when Allen Iverson or Carmelo Anthony had the ball, making Denver hit shots.

Nuggets: B

Lakers: B

* Hustle points: With their backs to the wall, the Nuggets finally showed the urgency that was lacking in Game 3. The Lakers jumped on the Nuggets early, rarely letting them find a comfort zone.

Nuggets: A

Lakers: A

* Bench: J.R. Smith nearly matched Bryant late and the Nuggets reserves held a 39-22 edge. It was a quiet night for the Lakers bench, but it protected the lead when Bryant needed a break.

Nuggets: B

Lakers: C

STAR OF THE GAME: Kobe Bryant

It was one of those where-were-you-when performances for the Lakers guard. He took over in the fourth quarter, scoring 14 of his 31 points in the game's final six minutes and coming up with a big steal that sealed the Nuggets' fate .

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