Kenyon Martin is all smiles as a healthy Nugget. AP
A few weeks ago, Nuggets fans were given a clue as to why this postseason might be different. It was the beginning of the stretch-run, and Kenyon Martin was feeling good.
"I haven't been this way in a long time," said the oft-injured K-Mart, after his Nuggets defeated Golden State for their 48th win of the season. "I'm having no setbacks and no difficulties. I can move. Everything feels fine. It's a great thing at this time of year."
Martin, whose stifling defense held all-star David West to an uncomfortable 12 points on 4-16 shooting in Game 1, has missed 133 games in the last four seasons. He's the first NBA player to undergo two microfracture knee surgeries -- an arthroscopic procedure that pokes holes in the bone (my knee hurts just writing that) -- and he's living proof that the surgery isn't a career death sentence.
"It feels great," said Martin after practice on Tuesday. "Just knowing all the things that I've been through over the last few years here. Knee surgery after knee surgery. It feels good just to be able to go out and play and compete at a high level and not have to worry about injuries."
Nuggets strength and conditioning coach Steve Hess has obviously spent a lot of time managing the rehabilitations of both Kenyon and Nene (who overcame cancer last year), and beams like a proud father when he speaks of the strides they've made.
"You know, it's amazing," said Hess. "The thing is, you get so close to these guys as human beings that any success they have, it's the most unbelievable thing. But a guy like K-Mart, he's overcome so much by getting through two microfracture surgeries. And every injury he's had, he's worked so hard to come back. For him to see success in the realm of what he does, and if I had a tiny part, that's what makes my job. That's what makes me love it."
Hess clearly played a huge role in getting the Nuggets' agile frontcourt back to full strength. But he's quick to deflect any credit for helping to (literally) mold one of the best teams in Nuggets history.
"These are remarkable men, and I've had a ton of support," said Hess. "What excites me about my job is when a player is injured and he comes back and plays. It's like I studied for a test and got an A. You can ask my wife, I dream about this stuff. This is what I do, and it's not a job to me. I literally think of 'how can I help these guys help themselves?'"
The road to recovery has been long for Martin, with as many mental hurdles as physical. One could argue that overcoming the mental aspect of an injury is often the most difficult. But it could also be the reason why K-Mart's game is evolving. While Kenyon is a master of the physical side of basketball, with his game-changing dunks and bruising defense, he now seems to be grasping the mental aspect of the game. In the last year, he's gained the rare ability to rattle his opponent while having the sense to keep his own cool. Martin shared some insight into his balance of the mental and physical.
"It's about crowding you, bumping you, grabbing you, holding you, any opportunity you get," said Martin. "That's what it's about, not letting guys get comfortable. You let guys get comfortable on this level, it makes for a long night."
Nuggets coach George Karl, who feuded with Martin during the 2006 playoffs, has enjoyed the evolution of Martin's game.
"I think he's moved from being a tough guy, to a veteran tough guy," said Karl. "And there are those guys in the league that are very valuable."
Martin's assignment on David West is one of the keys to this series, which resumes tonight. When West goes off for 30, it means Chris Paul is dictating the game and the Hornets are that much more comfortable in their offense. While West loves the top-of-the-key jumper (maybe even more than Marcus Camby) he also has an array of post moves and can be a handful when he turns to face the basket from 16-18 feet. Expect New Orleans to change up their offense in order to give West more space to roam and come off screens.
"They've got to do something," said Martin of New Orleans. "And we've got to play better as well. It's a game of adjustments, that's what the playoffs are all about... (West) gets a lot of touches, so I'm trying to limit my fouls as much as possible."
Regaining balance is one of the first steps of any knee rehabilitation. And how one balances the mental and physical aspects of a sport often determines how successful they are. For Kenyon Martin, one followed the other.
Comments