Kenyon Martin News: Pro Sports Daily

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 ..."

Nuggets' inside presence missing

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March 13

Denver Post

"During a youth fitness clinic at the Pepsi Center on Thursday, a group of 3-foot-9 little kids and one 6-foot-9 big kid made a circle around a Nuggets coach, who was teaching how to keep your feet planted and your hands up while pushing your backside down, like sitting in an invisible chair. Everyone gleefully did the exercise except the big kid, power forward Kenyon Martin, who just smiled at the kids to hide his pain"

End of Nuggets' trip near; Melo, Martin might sit

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February 22

Rocky Mountain News

"Finally nearing an end to their eight-game trip, the Nuggets are limping to the finish line. The Nuggets could be without starting forwards Carmelo Anthony and Kenyon Martin when they conclude their trip, against the Milwaukee Bucks. Martin is questionable because of back spasms that kept him out of the second half of a loss to the Chicago Bulls on Friday night. Anthony, slowed by a bone bruise just below his left knee, will be a game-time decision."

Martin, Anthony might not play in road finale

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February 22

Denver Post

"A few Nuggets hobbled slowly through the Pfister Hotel lobby like a bunch of broken-down quarterbacks on an icy sidewalk. After 18 days, eight cities and countless room service meals, the Nuggets' seemingly endless road trip ends today in Milwaukee, but it's uncertain whether two key Nuggets will play. On Saturday, forward Carmelo Anthony said he's a game-time decision because of a bruised left knee. And fellow forward Kenyon Martin is questionable with a bad back. "The more I did, the more I ran and jumped, it tightened up on me," Martin said of Friday's game at Chicago, which he left before halftime. As for Anthony: "You can't really tell how I am unless I'm going out there running," he ..."

Nuggets' Martin rebounding nicely after injuries

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December 14

Rocky Mountain News

"Muscles flexed and head tilted back, Kenyon Martin lets out a primal scream that blends in with the roar of the Pepsi Center crowd. It is the quintessential K-Mart image. Raw, uninhibited and uncensored. It is the public persona of a man who has made a living as a take-no-prisoners baller who fears no one and would rather swallow a box of toothpicks than succumb quietly to defeat. Yes, between the lines, there is K-Mart. In reality, it simply is an alter ego. "K-Mart is on the court. Kenyon is off the court," Nuggets teammate Carmelo Anthony said. "Kenyon is the good friend, an approachable guy, a guy that likes to have fun and laugh and joke around, cares about his teammates. K-mart is ..."

Nuggets' Martin likely won't face Timberwolves

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December 10

Rocky Mountain News

"It doesn't appear Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin, hampered by a sore left wrist, will play tonight against Minnesota at the Pepsi Center. "Right now, I'd say it's doubtful,'' Nuggets coach George Karl said after Wednesday morning's shootaround. It would be second straight game missed for Martin, who sat out last Saturday at Sacramento. He last played last Thursday against San Antonio. Karl on Tuesday had called "better than 50-50'' Martin would play. But the wrist might not have healed well enough for Martin, who has called it his decision whether he will go."

Martin takes injury rehab to next level

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November 25

Sacramento Bee

"The only fluid that mattered by the time Kevin Martin was done with his workout was water. Before the Kings tipped off against the Trail Blazers on Monday night, their ailing shooting guard tested his injured left ankle like he hasn't since he was hurt on Nov. 9. He practiced pull-up jumpers from various spots on the floor, ran off screens en route to the hoop for layups. And despite the recent setback in recovery as a result of increased fluid in the ankle area, Martin was able to push himself hard enough to get a thirst going. "I just wanted to see how it would react out there after not running for two weeks," he said. "The way I felt yesterday and the way I feel tonight, it's beyond day ..."

Martin steps it up in late run

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November 24

Denver Post

"Lounging in his locker-room chair Sunday, Kenyon Martin took off a postgame bandage wrap and ice pack from his left knee, casually tossing the wrap into a bin - 20 feet away - followed by the ice pack into a trash can - five feet away. Martin then did the same thing with his right knee wrap: bin and trash can, no worries. On Sunday, the guy just couldn't miss. The Nuggets' Martin made all 10 field-goal attempts, including a late 3-pointer, in Denver's 18-2 game-closing run, capping a 114-101 win against the Chicago Bulls at the Pepsi Center. Though four Nuggets scored more than 20 points apiece, Martin's season-high 26 was emphatic. He scored nine points in the pivotal fourth quarter, ..."

Martin's flagrant foul downgraded

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November 17

Denver Post

"Thursday's flagrant-two foul called on Denver's Kenyon Martin has been downgraded to a flagrant-one foul by the NBA. This is significant because now Martin has only one flagrant "point," compared to the two he originally had for the play. And if a player accumulates five points, he is suspended for one game.

The foul occurred late in the game at Cleveland when Martin, less than two minutes after earning a technical foul, slammed into a Cavaliers opponent during a pick. Coach George Karl was adamant that the play didn't warrant a flagrant-two, and Martin said, "It's basketball man -- it's a contact sport," Martin said."

NBA fines Nuggets' Martin $20,000

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November 16

Rocky Mountain News

"Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin was fined $20,000 by the NBA on Saturday for his actions after being ejected from a game. Martin was penalized for verbal abuse of an official and failure to leave the court in a timely manner after an ejection in a loss Thursday at Cleveland. Martin was thrown out after a flagrant foul for slamming his shoulder into Cleveland forward Anderson Varejao. Before leaving the floor, Martin, who was whistled for a technical moments earlier, screamed obscenities at referee Joey Crawford before he was grabbed by Nuggets coach George Karl and escorted off"

Martin takes leader's role

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October 30

Denver Post

"Kenyon Martin has always thought of himself as a leader. It was true in New Jersey, where he played with Jason Kidd. The same has been true during his tenure with the Nuggets, even if it wasn't in a official capacity. But Martin is a Nuggets co-captain, along with Carmelo Anthony, this season. Whether Martin is ready for it or not, the position carries a huge responsibility. "I've always had that mind-set," Martin said Wednesday following Denver's 98-94 season-opening loss to the Utah Jazz. "Coming into this season, I've wanted to lead and this is the first time that I've been healthy since I've been in Denver. So that's going to help me on and off the court." Against the Jazz, Martin ..."