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Nene goes on indefinite leave

Players told his medical problem 'could be' serious

By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published January 12, 2008 at 12:45 a.m.

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Nuggets forward Nene has taken an indefinite leave of absence from the team because of a medical condition one player said the team was told "could be" serious.

The Nuggets made the announcement on Nene's leave about a half- hour before their home game Friday night against Orlando. The team did not reveal the nature of his condition.

"When I heard it (Friday) morning, that could have been either one of us," Nuggets guard Anthony Carter said after scoring 14 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter of Denver's 113-103 win. "It almost brought tears to my eyes. . . . He's like a brother to me."

Carter said he doesn't know what the issue is but that Nuggets coach George Karl told the team Friday morning it "could be" serious.

Karl said "nothing is definitive" as of yet as to what's wrong with Nene. Karl said he still must undergo some tests, and more should be known within a few days.

"I'm very upset that I have to put a little delay on being with the team to take care of my health," Nene said in a statement released by the team. "It is hard to go through when things seem to be going so well. I thank God that he showed me this issue, so I can take care of it. I want to get back on the court as soon as possible to help my teammates. My family and I ask that you respect our privacy during this time."

Karl said he did not speak to Nene on Friday but spoke to his personal manager, Alex Santos. Asked Friday night how Nene was doing, Santos said, "He's OK," but declined further comment.

Nene often has been injured during his six seasons in Denver. He missed all but one game in 2005-06 with a torn anterior cruciate ligament but signed a six- year, $60 million contract with the Nuggets in July 2006.

"I think everything's going to be OK, but there needs to be a strength, a support that comes with people just hanging out with him and making sure we're with him and want him back, need him back, need to get him back, and I think we will get him back," Karl said.

Several players said after the game Friday that they were planning to call Nene.

Forward Carmelo Anthony said he wants to "make sure (Nene) knows that the Nuggets and the whole organization has got (Nene's) back."

"Pray for him," is what forward Linas Kleiza said he'll do. "But he's a tough guy, strong mentally. I think he's definitely got to be able to get better. . . . You feel bad because you're kind of useless. You can't do nothing."

Comments

  • January 12, 2008

    8:11 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Pitbull303 writes:

    whats wrong with our NENE!? Praying for yea may you defeat whatever it is that is haunting you

  • January 12, 2008

    9:56 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    BroncoB writes:

    It sounds like he may be HIV positive.

  • January 12, 2008

    10:12 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ONEman writes:

    Man I hope not. But if that's the case my prayers go out to him and his family. May the Lord be with you in your time of weakness and strengthen your heart mind and spirit.

  • January 13, 2008

    1:19 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    ghost writes:

    BroncoB,
    U stole the words right out my mouth, that was the first thing that popped to my mind since i hear there are more test they have to do for him to be really sure. thats some tough sht. And if he is, his carreer might be over....damn.

  • January 13, 2008

    9:59 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    dlwr writes:

    Who would be so presumptuous as to diagnos and start such a rumor!
    Get a life and stop being so ignorant.