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It was cancer, but Nene expected to fully recover

Aaron J. Lopez

Published January 23, 2008 at 12:45 a.m.

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It's looking more and more like Nene will not play with the Nuggets this season.

Photo by Garrett Ellwood / Getty Images

It's looking more and more like Nene will not play with the Nuggets this season.

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Nuggets forward Nene officially is a cancer survivor.

The testicular tumor removed from him last week was cancerous but does not appear to be life-threatening, according to a statement released by the team Tuesday.

Test results have determined the cancer was isolated and did not spread to other parts of Nene's body. Because the tumor was detected in its early stages, a recurrence of cancer is very small and the chances of a full recovery are nearly 100 percent.

No timetable has been given for Nene's return, but a respected Brazilian magazine reported it takes at least two months to recover from testicular surgery.

Quoting Dr. Fernando Kim - the surgeon who operated on Nene - the magazine Epoca said Nene is doing "extremely well." The report also said Nene's right testicle was removed during the operation at Denver Health Medical Center on Jan. 14.

Nene, 25, is averaging 6.4 points and 6.4 rebounds in 12 games this season. He took a medical leave of absence after an NBA drug test raised concerns that he might have a potentially cancerous tumor.

According to the report by Epoca, Nene will have to go through cancer screening twice a year for the next 10 years.

Anthony's ankle improves

The swelling in Carmelo Anthony's sprained left ankle was minimal Tuesday, but the Nuggets forward is listed as doubtful for tonight's game against the Atlanta Hawks.

Anthony was injured when he landed on the foot of Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant in the second quarter of Denver's 116-99 loss Monday night. He left the game and did not return.

X-rays were negative, and Anthony reported only moderate pain less than 24 hours later.

Despite a physical playing style, Anthony has been remarkably durable in his five NBA seasons. He has missed only eight games because of injury, all because of sprained ankles.

Numbers game

9 Western Conference teams with at least 24 wins; only three teams in the East have reached that plateau. With 24 wins, the Nuggets are among the power brokers in the West, but they are seventh in the conference standings - only one game ahead of ninth-place Utah.

He said it

"From the talent standpoint, the Denver Nuggets have one of the most talented teams - if not the most talented team - in the NBA, but they've got no clue."

Charles Barkley, TNT analyst, after the Nuggets' nationally televised loss to the Lakers.

lopezaa@RockyMountainNews.com

Hawks at Nuggets

* When: 7 tonight.

* Where: Pepsi Center.

* TV/radio: Altitude; KKFN-AM (950).

* Starting lineups

Atlanta (17-20) Pos. Ht. Pts.

24 Marvin Williams F 6-9 16.0

5 Josh Smith F 6-9 18.3

15 Al Horford C 6-10 8.9

8 Anthony Johnson G 6-3 6.3

2 Joe Johnson G 6-7 22.1

Coach:

Mike Woodson

Denver (22-15) Pos. Ht. Pts.

43 Linas Kleiza F 6-8 11.4

4 Kenyon Martin F 6-9 9.8

23 Marcus Camby C 6-11 9.4

25 Anthony Carter G 6-2 7.7

3 Allen Iverson G 6-0 27.0

Coach:

George Karl

* Injuries: Atlanta - G Speedy Claxton (left knee) is out. Denver - G Chucky Atkins (sports hernia) and F Nene (testicular tumor) are out; F Carmelo Anthony (sprained left ankle) is doubtful; F Eduardo Najera (hyperextended right elbow) is questionable.

* Notes: Hawks center Zaza Pachulia will not play as he serves a one-game suspension for "conduct detrimental to the team." Pachulia is averaging 4.6 points and 3.4 rebounds . . . . Atlanta has lost three in a row since beating Denver on Jan. 15. . . . Camby and Smith are Nos. 1 and 2 in the NBA in blocked shots. . . . The Hawks are beginning a five-game trip through the Western Conference. They are 5-11 on the road. . . . Iverson has scored at least 20 points in 36 of 40 games. . . .The Nuggets have won five in a row at the Pepsi Center.

Comments

  • January 23, 2008

    10:11 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jbowen43 writes:

    Sir Charles is right. They don't know how to set screens, or don't want to. They don't guard three point shooters, or don't want to. They always look confused. I wonder if Mr. Karl actually cares. I wonder if he can actually coach. Personally I will take Doug Moe as coach over Mr. Karl anytime.