Nene likely to be in uniform

Brief appearance in game may come against Mavericks

By Aaron J. Lopez, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Garrett Ellwood / Nbae/Getty Images/2007

Nene says his return from battling cancer will be a "special day."

As Nuggets coach George Karl walked past Nene in the hallway Wednesday, he was able to pay the big man a compliment from the heart of one cancer survivor to another.

"Best player on the court today," Karl said without a hint of sarcasm. "I have prejudicial eyes."

Nene could have shared the court with the 1992 Dream Team and he would have stolen the show. And another emotional appearance could take place at the Pepsi Center tonight.

After grinding his way through his first scrimmage since early January, the 25-year-old power forward is expected to be in uniform and might even play a few minutes when the Nuggets face the Dallas Mavericks.

The preliminary plan is for Nene to play about five minutes - a small amount for most players but a major milestone in the soft-spoken Brazilian's ongoing recovery from testicular cancer.

"It's going to be (a) special day in my life," he said. "Just five minutes, not much. Just to feel part of the process. It's going to be like 50 minutes. I just hope and hold yourself emotionally. I'm nervous about that."

The decision to return came after Nene solicited advice from a number of people, including Nuggets strength coach Steve Hess, his family, his fiancee and his personal manager.

"I called my pastor after practice, too," Nene said. "He say that 'It is time to come back. God is going to be with you. You're going to surprise everybody around.' "

Ten weeks removed from surgery to remove a malignant testicular tumor, Nene surprised his teammates when he took the practice court Wednesday.

To this point, Nene had been limited to shooting drills, light running and one-on-one games.

"I didn't think he was going to practice," center Marcus Camby, one of Nene's closest friends on the team, told the Rocky Mountain News. "It was a surprise to everybody. We had three guys that didn't practice. Nene, ironically, made 10 (who did practice). It was good to see him out there."

The practice was closed to the media, but Camby said Nene was extremely active, taking plenty of shots and even throwing down dunks with authority.

"Actually, he was a ball hog," Camby joked. "We told him to be aggressive and go shoot, get your rhythm and play like you normally play. Slowly but surely, he's getting there.

"Honestly, I thought he looked real good, for him being out as long as he'd been out and being through what he'd been through."

Nene's comeback certainly will provide inspiration to a team fighting for a playoff spot in the Western Conference, but his ability to contribute to the playoff push remains in question.

He admitted to being tired and sore after Wednesday's practice and his conditioning is sure to be a factor as he tries to get back in "game shape."

"As for his role on this team right now, I think, as a whole, we've moved past (his extended absence) and it's going to be tough for him to get minutes," Camby said.

Camby and Kenyon Martin have been the main men in the middle for most of the season, with Eduardo Najera serving as a capable - but undersized - center/power forward off the bench.

At 6-foot-11, 250 pounds, Nene gives the Nuggets added bulk that is sorely needed against Western Conference big men such as Carlos Boozer, Tim Duncan, Pau Gasol and Shaquille O'Neal.

"Is (Nene) not a physical player? His presence is very obvious," Karl said. "When we have him and Marcus on the court together, we're big. When we don't, we're kind of figuring it out."

Karl, a prostate cancer survivor, is willing to be flexible with Nene's recovery schedule, knowing any production is a glorious bonus.

"As I've told (Nene) 100 times, it's not about him anymore," Karl said. "It's about, 'We just need him to get back,' and we want to be a part of him celebrating his conquering a very difficult situation."

As part of his recovery, Nene endured a chemotherapy session in February and still was feeling the effects of the radiation as recently as last week. Only two days ago, he talked about how his body literally would shake after a workout.

Those obstacles have worn on Nene mentally and physically, but he and his support group have come to the conclusion that he is ready to take the next step. He is ready for an NBA game.

"I need to show it to myself, too," he said. "It's going to be different. I will be limited. Like the Bible say, 'What don't kill you is going to make you stronger,' and that is definitely going to make me stronger. God is with me."

Mavericks at Nuggets

* When: 6 tonight.

* Where: Pepsi Center.

* TV/radio: Altitude, TNT; KKFN-FM (104.3).

* Probable starting lineups

Dallas (45-26) Pos. Ht. Pts.

5 Josh Howard F 6-7 19.6

30 Malik Allen F 6-10 4.9

25 Erick Dampier C 6-11 6.1

2 Jason Kidd G 6-4 10.6

42 Jerry Stackhouse G 6-6 10.6

Coach: Avery Johnson

Denver (43-28) Pos. Ht. Pts.

15 Carmelo Anthony F 6-8 25.5

4 Kenyon Martin F 6-9 12.1

23 Marcus Camby C 6-11 9.3

3 Allen Iverson G 6-0 26.6

25 Anthony Carter G 6-2 8.0

Coach: George Karl

* Injuries: Dallas - F Dirk Nowitzki (sprained left ankle/sprained left knee) is out. Denver - F Nene (testicular tumor) is questionable; Iverson (broken finger) is probable.

* Notes: Anthony has signed an extension with Nike's Brand Jordan. According to ESPN.com, the new deal is worth $60 million for seven years. Anthony originally signed a five-year, $20 million contract with Nike out of college. . . . Iverson, Martin and forward Eduardo Najera were given a day off to recover from bumps and bruises. . . . A man from Hampton, Va., has been charged with attempting to extort money from Iverson, but the case does not seem to be affecting the nine-time All-Star. "It is what it is," he said. "I ain't commenting on that." Iverson is from Hampton and reportedly has known the suspect, Andre Steele, for years.