Kenyon Martin News: Pro Sports Daily

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March 15

Denver Post

columnist Chris Dempsey

"So Kenyon Martin's out, and the Nuggets are winning anyway — and fairly easily in a couple of cases. I wouldn't get too comfortable with that. But it does bring up a question I've gotten fond of asking lately. What is the value of defense? "Not $90 million," a friend of mine said. Fair enough. But shouldn't it be fairly high? If you stop a last-second shot as often as say, Kobe Bryant makes a last- second shot, are those two things equal? If you hold elite scorers under their averages night after night and your team wins because of it, is that equal to an elite scorer putting high numbers on the board and his team winning because of it? If defense wins championships, why aren't the players ..."

Martin could be sidelined for a couple of weeks

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March 11

Denver Post

"Asked how his first platelet rich plasma therapy session felt on his left knee, Kenyon Martin used an expletive in quite a descriptive way — alas, you won't read it in newsprint. The power forward said Wednesday he isn't sure when his next PRP therapy session will be and said "we'll see how it works," in reference to the first session Monday. The therapy takes place at Vail's Steadman Hawkins Clinic, and it's possible Martin could be out for a couple of weeks. Johan Petro again started for Martin on Wednesday at Minnesota (Petro, Denver's only 7-footer, took the tipoff). Asked what he brings with Martin out, reserve post Chris Andersen deadpanned: "I bring some more injuries. My back and ..."

Nuggets' Martin will return, but maybe not before playoffs

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March 9

Denver Post

"The pain in Kenyon Martin's left knee was so bad Saturday, he couldn't play golf — "that's my plant leg" — so the Nuggets forward spent the sunny day indoors, instead golfing on a Nintendo Wii video game. The pain has persisted, and now Martin will miss an undetermined amount of time while undergoing platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy. He plans to return this season, although perhaps not until the NBA playoffs, the team announced Monday. Martin began the PRP therapy Monday. It's definitely a good news-bad news situation for the Nuggets (42-21), who rank third in the Western Conference. The good news is Martin won't require surgery on the knee, which is suffering from patella tendinitis. ..."

Nuggets await word on how badly K-Mart is injured

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March 7

Denver Post

"While Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin awaits test results that will determine when - or if - he can return to the court this season, the Nuggets remain optimistic that their current roster is championship-worthy. "Of course," forward Carmelo Anthony said. "We have a similar team that we had last year with a couple of big pieces that we picked up in the offseason that will help us out a lot. We had a chance to make some moves before the trade deadline, but it didn't work out, or whatever the case may be or excuse may be, we just didn't do it." Any thoughts of a deep playoff run will take a big hit if Martin is not able to play the rest of the season. Martin will not play tonight and missed ..."

Bruised knee forces Martin to sit again

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February 27

Denver Post

"As the season winds to an end, the Nuggets may be forced to consider how they will handle Kenyon Martin's playing time down the stretch in hopes of avoiding injury. The Nuggets forward missed Friday night's game against the Pistons with a bruised left knee, but it's not the first time this season that Martin's left knee has given him problems. This season, the big man has played under increasing pain in that knee, which caused him to miss two games prior to the all-star break with tendinitis. Asked how the Nuggets would handle Martin in the final two months of the season, Nuggets coach George Karl wasn't overly concerned. "I think Kenyon does a good job keeping the pulse of his body," Karl ..."

K-Mart is Nuggets' "glue guy"

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February 23

Denver Post

columnist Dave Krieger

"Carmelo Anthony is their headliner, an all-star, a member of Team USA. Chauncey Billups is their quarterback, an all-star, a member of Team USA. And yet, by the numbers, neither is the Nuggets' most indispensable player. That would be power forward Kenyon Martin. "Every team has a guy that holds it together, what I call a glue guy," Nuggets coach George Karl said Monday. "Around the league, he'd definitely be in that race as one of the top guys who make it function, make it work." In the 13 games Anthony has missed due to injury, the Nuggets are 8-5, pretty close to their winning percentage with him. In the nine games Billups has missed, they're 3-6, suggesting they do a better job ..."

Kenyon Martin might have to sit out games down the stretch due to tendonitis

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February 14

Denver Post

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"Maybe Denver's best plan is to put the pressure on its players to raise their level of play – and keep it high. Carmelo Anthony will get better as he continues to heal. The All-Star break will do Chauncey Billups' ankles some good. Kenyon Martin is expected to be back right out of the gate when the season resumes, although he'll be one to watch with tendonitis that may cause him to sit out games here and there down the stretch."

Nuggets' Martin says he's a game-time decision

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February 11

Denver Post

"The left knee tendonitis that kept Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin out of Tuesday's game against Dallas is likely to do so again tonight against the Spurs. Martin, however, left the door open more for his return than his coach, George Karl, did. "The rumor is no (he won't play)," Karl said. "We'll see," Martin said. "I'm a game-time decision, depends on how I feel." Martin, who leads the Nuggets in double-doubles with 21, did not do much of anything in this morning's shootaround. "I keep getting hit in the same spot," Martin said. "It's tendonitis, but getting tendonitis bumped in the same spot of my patella. It tends to make it a lot more sore than it normally should be.""

Melo returns, but Martin is sidelined

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February 10

Denver Post

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"Anthony, who returned from an ankle injury, eased his way into the game, tallying three assists before scoring his first field goal. He finished with 8-for-16 shooting, as well as contributing four rebounds and six assists, one from tying a season high. "I felt good," said Melo, who made three 3-pointers. "I wanted to see what I can do and can't do, and I found I can do pretty much what I've been doing." Curiously, Anthony didn't get to the foul line once. But Karl said, "I don't know how much he was into trying to use his feet to explode by somebody. It'll take some time.""

Balance? Kenyon Martin brings it

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February 3

Denver Post

columnist Benjamin Hochman

"It was such a crummy Christmas, even the Grinch would have let them keep it. The Nuggets had to spend the holiday in Portland, Ore. They led by two points entering the fourth quarter — and lost by 11. And Chauncey Billups tried to return from his groin injury, but only played a half, returning to the sideline until Jan. 8. But the Nuggets did get a gift that day. Kenyon Martin scored 12 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, which at the time, was chalked up as an admirable effort. But since that night, Martin has nine or more rebounds in every game he's played (except for the one when he was ejected). Moreover, more scoring. Martin averaged 10 points per game before Christmas — and is at 15.2 ..."

Nuggets' Martin scores 27 in Melo's absence to lead 103-89 road win against Spurs

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February 1

Denver Post

"Going back to his days with the New Jersey Nets, Kenyon Martin knows his jump shots will be open when he plays against a team coached by Gregg Popovich. Respect goes only as far as what you believe your opponent can't do. Popovich has always backed off of Martin's jumper. Wisely, in some years. Not so wisely Sunday afternoon. Martin made shots from all angles in the Nuggets' 103-89 win over the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center. His game-high 27 points and 11 rebounds closed out the Nuggets' three-game trip in style, despite playing again without Carmelo Anthony, who missed his fourth consecutive game because of a sprained ankle. The Nuggets finished 2-1 on the trip, and Sunday's win ..."

Kenyon Martin fined $35K for ejection

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January 27

Denver Post

"The NBA today fined Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin $35,000 "for actions surrounding his ejection" in Monday night's game against Charlotte, the league's executive vice president Stu Jackson anounced. Martin was ejected in the second quarter when he earned two technicals for arguing — and then clapping after the ensuing missed free throw. The incident occurred with 2:27 remaining in the quarter."

Nuggets' Martin fined for actions after ejection

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January 27

NBA.com

"Denver Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin has been fined $35,000 for actions surrounding his ejection from last night's game vs. the Charlotte Bobcats, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations."

Kenyon Marting Questionable for Saturday

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December 12

Denver Post

"Suddenly, Kenyon Martin's presence on the court is moving from valuable to indispensable. The Nuggets have been lost without the defensive-minded forward, going 0-3 this season in games where Martin has missed the entire contest. That number stretches to 0-4 when the Nuggets' game at Miami is factored in, a contest that Martin left with a leg bruise after playing just 12 minutes. Martin missed each of the Nuggets last two games – losses at Charlotte and Detroit – with a dislocated pinkie finger. It's not sitting well with Nuggets coach, George Karl, but he isn't too concerned. "I think we have to learn how to win without Kenyon," Karl said. "But the games were not out-of-balance. They were ..."

Martin to miss Nuggets' game tonight

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December 10

Denver Post

"Nuggets power forward Kenyon Martin will not play tonight in Denver's game against Detroit, as Martin rests his dislocated pinkie finger, an injury sustained Monday at Philadelphia. Joey Graham started for Martin on Tuesday at Charlotte and likely will get the start tonight."

Nuggets' Martin sits, and Bobcats' Wallace feasts

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December 9

Denver Post

"Gerald Wallace is arguably Charlotte's top player, a bring-it-on matchup who generally makes power forward Kenyon Martin's stomach growl. But Martin sat out Tuesday because of a dislocated left pinkie finger. He's listed as day to day. The Nuggets started defensive-minded Joey Graham in Martin's place, but it wasn't pretty. By halftime, Wallace had a team-high 16 points, going 8-for-8 from the line, and a game-high eight rebounds. "Tonight, Kenyon's just banged and bruised," said coach George Karl, who couldn't say for sure if Martin will play Thursday at Detroit. Graham played just seven minutes in the first half. Seldom-used Renaldo Balkman got some time, and at times, Denver went small, ..."

Kenyon Martin eager to return from injury

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November 10

Denver Post

"Tonight is the fifth game of the Nuggets' road trip, but Kenyon Martin spoke Monday as if it's the fifth game of a playoff series. "I'm going to play, man — no matter how I feel," said Martin, who sustained a left leg bruise on Friday in Miami. "We lost two games in a row. Bottom line, we've got to stop the bleeding. I think my presence on the court will go a long way." The power forward left the Miami loss in the second quarter, and he watched Saturday's loss at Atlanta from the sideline. Barring any setbacks, he will play tonight at Chicago, where the Nuggets (5-2) have lost the past three seasons. "We've got to get back to playing the way we're capable of playing," said Martin, who is ..."

Report: K-Mart has good news MRI

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November 9

Denver Post

"the MRI on Kenyon Martin's left leg didn't reveal a fracture, and so he is day to day with a bruised left fibula. The injury occurred during Friday's loss at Miami, and Karl then worried that Martin could be out for a couple of weeks. "I feel better today than I did yesterday," Martin said Saturday. "I've broken the fibula twice in my right leg, and that's the way (the injury first) felt. . . . But I can tolerate playing. I'm not worried, man." With the defeat to the Hawks (5-2), Denver lost its annual game in Atlanta for the third straight season, and it finished 5-2 in the seven games without suspended guard J.R. Smith, who returns Tuesday at Chicago."

Melo can't do it by himself, Nuggets lose Martin

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November 7

Denver Post

"Well into Friday's second quarter, the Nuggets and Heat were knotted in a nice little game — until the Nuggets suddenly went as flat as a Cuban sandwich. It was a deflating performance by the road team, tied at 33-33 with 5:57 left in the second, but down by 28 late in the third. Denver ultimately lost 96-88, and might have lost Kenyon Martin for a little while too. The power forward suffered a lower left leg contusion in the second quarter and did not return to the game. X-rays taken at halftime were inconclusive, and Martin will undergo an MRI today and sit out tonight's game at Atlanta, Denver coach George Karl said. "The feeling I got is, it might be a week or two weeks, but it won't ..."

Nuggets' Martin unveils work on outside shooting

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October 25

Denver Post

"Early into Friday's preseason game, Kenyon Martin held the ball in the right corner, the defender a couple of counties away. So, Martin launched a 3-pointer. Splash. A few minutes later, the Nuggets' Martin had a similar situation on the left wing. Clank. Such is the gamble power forward Martin is willing to take this season. The confident veteran has been working hard on his jumper, and he hopes to shoot more than previous seasons. Optimists wonder if this intangible could push Denver over the Western Conference hump. Some skeptics wonder if Martin should defer more. "I think his energy has been great," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "I think he wants to be a little more of an offensive ..."

Nuggets' Kenyon Martin could be getting back to YouTube-worthy self

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October 4

Denver Post

"The old Kenyon Martin lives in highlights on YouTube, complete with a hip-hop sound-track. That Kenyon Martin dons a New Jersey Nets jersey, and his dunks flat-out bring the noise. Dribble drives to one-handed slams. Two-handed fast-break specials. Tip dunks over unsuspecting opponents who thought the rebound was theirs. And one ridiculous two-handed dunk squarely in the chops of an Indiana Pacer whose identity will forever be hidden, thanks to the grainy nature of the footage. Inside of today's Kenyon Martin, the YouTube Kenyon Martin has yearned to be set free. That, says Martin, will happen this season. He insists his legs feel the best they have since his first season with the Nuggets ..."

Kenyon Martin says no to opting out of deal

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September 26

Denver Post

"Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin has no plans to opt out of his contract at the end of this season. "They could have sent in that paperwork that day (I signed the contract)," Martin said Friday during Nuggets media day. "No, I ain't opting out of nothing. I worked for that (money). I want that." As a result, Martin will make nearly $17 million next season in the last year of his pact. He could have opted out of the deal and become a free agent next summer. He originally signed the seven-year, $92.5 million contract in 2004. Martin is coming off arguably his best season with the Nuggets, bouncing back from two microfracture surgeries to play a pivotal role. He averaged 11.7 points, 6.0 ..."

Smith, Martin plan on being ready to play

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May 21

Denver Post

"Nuggets guard J.R. Smith and forward Kenyon Martin will play hurt in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals tonight. Smith is dealing with a calf strain he suffered late in Game 1. He limped around the Los Angeles Clippers' practice facility Wednesday during a team workout. Smith did not run during practice. He did some treadmill work beforehand and sat during much of the on-court session. Still, he said he will be ready to go tonight. "I'm definitely going to play," Smith said. "I don't think nothing can keep me from this game. It's getting better. It's more of a calf strain than anything. I'm doing the right thing, just staying and getting extra treatment." Martin fractured his left ..."

Nuggets' Kenyon Martin has a broken finger on left hand

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May 21

Los Angeles Times

"The spirit of the Denver Nuggets is not broken. But their power forward's finger is. What was originally diagnosed as a contusion to the left, non-shooting, ring finger of Kenyon Martin turned out to be a fracture. A Nuggets spokesman said Wednesday that Martin would play tonight in Game 2 of the Lakers-Nuggets series and probably would tape the finger to stabilize it. The availability of Nuggets backup guard J.R. Smith is less certain. He tried to follow his missed free throw at the end of Tuesday's 105-103 loss to the Lakers, was knocked to the ground, and was writhing in pain, clutching his lower right leg as the clock expired. The Nuggets were relieved to learn that Smith's injury was ..."

War's not over for Martin, Cuban

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May 19

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"The war of words between a billionaire owner and a millionaire player continues to simmer as the NBA playoffs move on. Denver power forward Kenyon Martin said over the weekend that Mavericks owner Mark Cuban was "a coward" for apologizing to his mother through the internet rather than face to face for reportedly making disrespectful comments after Game 3 of the Mavericks' second-round series with the Denver Nuggets in American Airlines Center. It was the latest salvo in a long-running give-and-take of both words and stance-taking between Cuban and Martin. After Game 3, Martin's mother was seated near the exit that Cuban uses to leave the arena. Cuban has acknowledged saying "that includes ..."

Lakers' Pau Gasol says he's ready for Kenyon Martin

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May 18

Los Angeles Times

"Pau Gasol answered the challenge for the Lakers, putting his fingerprints all over Game 7, dominating, being the force they needed to get past the pesky Houston Rockets in the Western Conference semifinals. Now there will be a totally different challenge for Gasol, one that could test his fortitude and could push his even-keel demeanor to the limits. Gasol and the Lakers will face the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the conference finals Tuesday at Staples Center, and for Gasol, that means playing against the ever aggressive Kenyon Martin. Martin, a 6-foot-9 forward, tries to intimidate his opponent. He'll push, grab and trash-talk. He'll get into the face of his opponent, looking for a ..."

Martin: Cuban's apology not sincere

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May 14

Denver Post

"In reference to Mark Cuban's apology via blog, Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin said this morning: "I don't think it was sincere, to be honest with you." After Denver's Game 3 on Saturday, the Mavericks owner shouted a postgame insult at Martin's mother, Lydia Moore. Martin said he hoped to speak to Cuban face-to-face at Monday's Game 4, but Martin said he didn't cross paths with Cuban that night. After that game, Cuban released an apology on his blog. "He let all the stuff stay up out there - he should have (apologized) before," Martin said. "It's a calculated decision on his part." Game 5 is tonight at Pepsi Center, and if Denver wins, it advances to the Western Conference Finals for the ..."

Nuggets scoff at Mark Cuban's blog apology

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May 14

Dallas Morning News

"The Denver Nuggets saw Mark Cuban's apology. What they really wanted was to hear it come out of his mouth. Several Nuggets were skeptical about the sincerity of the Mavericks owner's online apology to the family and friends of Denver players over incidents during Games 3 and 4 in Dallas. The NBA said no punishments are plannned. "Matter is closed," league spokesman Tim Frank told The Associated Press via e-mail Wednesday. Carmelo Anthony, whose girlfriend, LaLa Vazquez, had to be removed from her lower-level seats in Game 4, said it was unfortunate that Cuban chose to deliver an apology to Kenyon Martin's mother via cyberspace. "Man to man, that's the way you should do stuff," Anthony ..."

Mavs owner dribbles out apology

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May 13

Denver Post

"It's more than a game. An NBA playoff game is a community experience. It's a time to bring people together, a time to remind us all - young and old, black and white, short and tall - why we're here and why we care and why we put down all that hard-earned cash just to go to a game: so that we, as fans, can be part of something greater than ourselves, so that we can be bound together in a common cause, so that we can, if absolutely necessary, show the strength of that bond by, yes, agreeing to pour beer on Kenyon Martin's mom. It apparently happened in Dallas during Game 4 of the Nuggets-Mavericks playoff series, but it could have happened anywhere. Don't blame the Dallas Mavericks' fans. ..."

Kenyon Martin challenges Mavs fans

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May 12

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Issues off the court were a lot more interesting than the actual series between the Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets. That fact was reiterated Monday night as Kenyon Martin challenged fans in the stands and his mother again was a magnet for controversy. Martin had plenty of time to survey what was happening in the stands behind the Nuggets bench when a flagrant foul was called on Antoine Wright early in the second quarter. During a lengthy delay as referees reviewed the call, Martin walked a few feet down from the Nuggets' bench toward midcourt. His mother, Lydia Moore, was seated four rows up in the stands. Martin repeatedly challenged a fan or fans, yelling at them with several ..."

Cuban admits to "thug" comment about K-Mart

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May 11

Denver Post

"During the postgame chaos after Saturday's Nuggets-Mavericks game, Dallas owner Mark Cuban had a brief but heated confrontation with Lydia Moore, the mother of Denver's Kenyon Martin, who was seated near the tunnel that leads to the Mavs' locker room. Cuban said Sunday by e-mail that when he walked off the court, a fan was screaming about the Nuggets being "thugs," so Cuban said to Martin's mother: "That includes your son." According to Martin's agent, Brian Dyke, Cuban spotted Moore amid numerous Nuggets fans and said, unprovoked, "Your son is a punk." Regardless of what insult was stated, NBA spokesman Tim Frank said, "The situation on the floor postgame is being reviewed." Cuban was ..."

K-Mart feeling so right at home

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May 10

Denver Post

"Coming back home means stopping at South Dallas Cafe. It's a must. There, Kenyon Martin knows the service is friendly, the soul food has kick and the Kool-Aid is ice cold. "It's like cafeteria style, so you walk in and you get your tray and your plate and you walk through," the Nuggets forward said. "You can get two meats or three meats, vegetables, sides, bread, good 'hood Kool Aid." Dallas is Martin's 'hood. He was born in Michigan but grew up in Dallas, developing a soft spot for the Mavericks, though he was a Bad Boys-era Detroit Pistons fan by heart. Now, he's back home and loving it. Saturday was the first playoff game he's played in his hometown, and the win made it that much ..."

Martin plans to help school in its time of need

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May 9

Denver Post

"Bryan Adams High in Dallas is a school close to Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin's heart. He spent his junior and senior seasons there. The school retired his jersey. Now the school that filled a need for him - a place that was a calming change of scenery that helped him stay on the right track - is in need itself. The Bryan Adams basketball team is finding it increasingly difficult to fund uniforms, from the jersey and shorts down to the shoes and reached out to Martin for help. Martin says he'll give them that help next season. "Next year, next basketball season, I'm going to do something," Martin said. "Give them some uniforms with some shoes or something." Nuggets expecting Howard. Dallas ..."

NBA hits Martin with $25,000 fine

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May 5

Denver Post

"Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin will appeal the $25,000 fine slapped on him by the NBA for a flagrant foul on Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki, Martin's agent, Brian Dyke, said Monday. "We definitely didn't think it was fair at all," Dyke said. "There's been no fines to any other flagrant fouls in this playoffs." The play took place in the first quarter of Denver's Game 1 win over Dallas. Martin's hard foul knocked Nowitzki to the floor on a baseline drive to the basket. Martin was assessed a technical foul. The NBA upgraded the infraction Monday to a flagrant foul and rescinded the technical foul. But the biggest point of contention among the Nuggets is the fine. "There were certain instances ..."

Denver Nuggets' Martin fined for foul in Game 1

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May 5

Dallas Morning News

"Kenyon Martin said before the series that he would hold, grab, push or do whatever he needed to do to defend Dirk Nowitzki. He didn't say anything about taking a fine. The NBA announced Monday that Martin was fined $25,000 and assessed a flagrant foul for his forearm shiver to Nowitzki in the first quarter of Game 1. Martin shoved Nowitzki out of bounds with 5:51 left in the period and was called for a technical, but nothing else. Martin was unavailable for comment since the league released its decision after Monday's media availability. Earlier in the day, Nuggets coach George Karl spoke about his team's defense on Nowitzki and the criticism Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle levied about ..."

Martin fined $25,000

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May 4

Denver Post

"Kenyon Martin didn't think much of the hard foul against Dallas's Dirk Nowitzki in the first quarter of Game 1. But the NBA did. Martin was fined $25,000 today and the foul was upgraded to a flagrant foul, the Nuggets confirmed. Martin did not speak with reporters today. After Sunday's game, Martin said his foul, which sent Nowitzki down hard on the baseline and earned Martin a technical foul, was just basketball."

Martin expects to go solo in defending Mavs' shooting star

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May 3

Denver Post

"Nuggets coach George Karl has friends on the San Antonio Spurs coaching staff, and they had one piece of advice for him in regard to guarding Dallas' do-everything forward Dirk Nowitzki. "They doubled Nowitzki," Karl said. "And they told me not to." Good thing for him he has Kenyon Martin, whose defensive legend seems to grow with each game. But even Martin, whose fast hands, quick feet and no-easy-shot mentality make him effective, will have his hands full here. Nowitzki is just that good. Nowitzki averaged 30 points and 11.3 rebounds per game against the Nuggets this season, including a 44-point, 14-rebound performance against the Nuggets on Jan. 13 at the Pepsi Center. "I'll just go ..."

Denver's Martin: No help needed on Dirk

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May 3

Dallas Morning News

"Kenyon Martin leaves no doubt about his desire to cover Dirk Nowitzki in this series. And anybody who thinks coach George Karl is fibbing when he says he'll play Martin straight up on Nowitzki has to take the matter up with the Denver power forward. "I don't need help, I can guard him," Martin said Saturday in matter-of-fact tone. "I can guard anybody in this league. I'm not going to shut everybody out. But I can guard anybody in this league. "I've got six fouls. They give you six for a reason. I'm not afraid to use my fouls." This is the way Martin and the Nuggets roll. They are supremely confident in their ability to frustrate, if not dominate. "I'm not going to shut him out," added ..."

K-Mart enjoying makeover

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May 2

Denver Post

columnist Dave Krieger

"Kenyon Martin admits that Dirk Nowitzki, the next NBA star on his playoff menu, has an advantage. "He's taller than me, of course," Martin said of the Mavericks' 7-foot forward. "But I think I make up for height in other ways." At "other ways," he raised his eyebrows and grinned. The wretches knew what he was talking about, but just in case, he spelled it out: "Hold him, grab him, push him, whatever you can do." Martin held court following Nuggets practice Friday for longer than any other player. He seemed to enjoy it, which is quite a contrast from some of the tense interview sessions he conducted during his first four seasons in Denver. "They say time heals a lot of things," he said. "In ..."

Rejuvenated Martin is tough on Hornets

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April 30

New Orleans Times-Picayune

"It might be after a big defensive stop, an emphatic dunk or an extra little shove that went unnoticed by the officials. On several occasions during the first round of the NBA playoffs, Denver Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin has glanced over at the New Orleans bench and made eye contact with Hornets Coach Byron Scott. "We'll crack a little smile at each other," Scott said Wednesday before Game 5 between Denver and New Orleans. "I think his smiles are a little bit bigger than mine right now, let's put it that way." During their four years together with the New Jersey Nets, Martin and Scott built a relationship based on trust and respect. With the added help of All-Stars Vince Carter and ..."

K-Mart's playoff special

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April 30

Denver Post

"April showers bring May notes. . . . And now for a few words never before typed in this space: Kenyon Martin is underpaid. At least judging from his performance in the Nuggets-Hornets series, he is. Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony have scored more points, but the key to Denver winning the series was K-Mart's stifling defense on David West. Think Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. "It seems like West is totally frustrated the whole series," Anthony Carter said. "K-Mart has been doing a great job on him one-on-one" - as opposed to getting help, the customary approach to handling all-star big men in the paint. Martin hasn't just stopped West, who was 24-for-64 in the first four games. In the ..."

Martin's dandy defense helps take shine off West's stature

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April 20

Denver Post

"David West began the first-round playoff series against the Nuggets with Kenyon Martin firmly attached to his hip. West never could completely shake him off Sunday night. The result was a wasteland performance, full of missed shots, a few turnovers and general frustration. West is an all-star. Stars shine best when the lights are the brightest. At least, that's supposed to be the case. West, however, couldn't find the range, scoring 12 points and hitting just 4-of-16 shots from the field in the Hornets' blowout loss in Game 1 at the Pepsi Center. Just four points came in the second half, and none of those were in the fourth quarter. "Kenyon's 'D' on West, you can't do it better," Nuggets ..."

No suspension or fine for Martin despite accusation of ‘thuggery’

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April 16

InDenverTimes.com

"Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin will not be suspended nor will he be fined for a flagrant foul Monday despite being accused by Sacramento co-owner Joe Maloof of "thuggery.''

According to an NBA spokesman, the league will take no further action on Martin for his flagrant foul 1 against Sacramento center Spencer Hawes midway through Monday's first quarter. Martin hit Hawes on drive to the basket, and Hawes ended up being through for the night due to a strained left knee. "That was thuggery, and you can quote me on that,'' Maloof told the Sacramento Bee. "Kenyon Martin wasn't trying to block the shot. He went right at Spencer when he was running full speed and at the (height) of his jump, ..."

Martin returns with low-post production

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April 14

Denver Post

"It didn't take long for Kenyon Martin to make his mark. Two minutes into his first game since April 2, the Nuggets forward received a pass in the low post, smashed his body into a defender and scored while being fouled. He did the same thing about seven minutes later, except this time with a dunk. Martin had been sidelined by a left rib cartilage strain but seems to be physically ready for the postseason, which begins this weekend. "His toughness, he can help get some rebounds," Denver's Anthony Carter said. "And he can intimidate a lot of players, just by being on the court. We can use his eight, 10 points. And just having him out there, it changes the whole mind-set of the team." ..."

Martin sits for fourth straight game

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April 10

Denver Post

"Kenyon Martin will play in the Nuggets' next game, Monday against Sacramento, coach George Karl said before Thursday's game. The power forward has missed four games because of strained cartilage in his left ribs. "I thought he was close to playing (Thursday night), but common sense said not to do it," said Karl, who also emphasized Martin, a key defender, will be available for the playoffs. Martin, however, expressed in the locker room before the game that the pain is "still lingering" and it feels like he is being stabbed. Asked if he would have played Thursday if the game were a playoff game, Martin said: "I'd probably find some way, but I don't know. "I will take it day by day." The ..."

Nuggets' Martin to sit out tonight

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April 8

Denver Post

"Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin won't play tonight with a left rib cartilage strain, but he could play at the Lakers on Thursday. At morning shootaround, coach George Karl said: "I think he's going to try do some things today. I don't think he's going on the court, but he's going to do some things to see where the pain is and how much pain he gets. I think he wants to play tomorrow, but I don't think we're going to force the issue." Karl insisted that Martin won't be out for the year or anything extreme like that."

Martin in no rush to play with sore rib

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April 6

Denver Post

"Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin didn't play Sunday against Minne- sota and also will take today off to help heal his left rib strain, which he said produces "sharp pain" but isn't as serious as a cracked rib, the injury teammate Chris Andersen suffered this season and missed nine games. Denver's next game is Wednesday at the Pepsi Center against NBA draft lottery- bound Oklahoma City, followed by a Thursday game in Los Angeles against the Lakers, the only team in the Western Conference with a better record than the Nuggets. Asked if he will sit out until the Lakers game, Martin said: "That's not the plan. But if it's not right by that day, I won't be playing then either because the playoffs ..."

Martin shelved with rib strain

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April 5

Denver Post

"Kenyon Martin, who has had an injury-plagued second half of the season, is back on the shelf for at least the weekend, Nuggets coach George Karl said.

The forward suffered a left rib cartilage strain during the Nuggets' game Thursday night against Utah. He was ruled out early for Saturday night's game and he will not play in tonight's game against Minnesota, either.

"Right now it looks like he's probably pretty sore," Karl said. "With the three days that we have after Sunday, the precautionary attitude is probably the way to go."

Martin, who has also battled a back ailment, injured the rib during the third quarter against the Jazz and did not return."

Martin's status in doubt for Saturday

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April 4

InDenverTimes.com

"There appears to be a better chance Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin won't play Saturday than he will. "I think doubtful is the word I got this morning,'' Nuggets coach George Karl said after practice Friday before amending his statement to call Martin a game-time decision for the home game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Martin suffered a left rib cartilage strain early in the third quarter of Thursday night's 114-104 win over Utah, and said he "felt pretty bad'' after the game. Martin didn't practice Friday, instead getting treatment. Karl said it's hard to tell just how much Martin has healed since Thursday's game was a late start and he didn't get to bed until 2 a.m. If Martin can't ..."

K-Mart showing signs of health

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March 30

Denver Post

"There is a bounce to Kenyon Martin's step that the Nuggets haven't seen in quite some time. Martin is healthier and getting back to the minutes he used to play right when the Nuggets need him most. Quietly, Martin has averaged 34.5 minutes per game in his last four as he is being slotted back into the role he had before back problems limited him in February and most of March. "I haven't been this way in a long time," Martin said after playing 26 minutes as the starters rested in the fourth quarter of the Nuggets' win over Golden State on Saturday. "I'm having no setbacks and no difficulties. I can move. Everything feels fine. It's a great thing at this time of year." It's no secret the ..."