The Denver Nuggets have finally begun to play championship caliber defense.
Artwork by Mia Nogueira
Gone are the days of the run-n-gun Nuggets who would need 110 points to get a win. I now present to you the 2009-10 Denver Nuggets, led by defensive stalwart Kenyon Martin, who Head Coach George Karl calls, “The quarterback of our defense.”
What Kenyon brings to the Nuggets is exactly what they expected when they gave up three first round draft picks to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for the former number one overall selection: a defensive-minded player who competes with high energy.
The best part about Kenyon’s defense is that he has the quickness to cover a point guard, yet the size and strength to cover other teams’ power forwards. Kenyon was big for the Nuggets in their playoff run last year, as he was able to shut down the New Orleans Hornets’ All-Star Power Forward David West. Martin would then disturb and disrupt the Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki, as the Nuggets were able to blow by both of these teams with ease.
Aside from these two great power forwards, Martin is also challenged to face the other stellar power forwards of the Western Conference, including LaMarcus Aldridge, Amar’e Stoudemire, Tim Duncan, Pau Gasol, and Carlos Boozer. The best part about Martin’s all-around game is that he is physical and never shies away from contact. Although sometimes referred to by other people as “dirty,” Kenyon Martin’s fouls are always hard, and what that does is sends a message to the opposing players that he is not going to back down. Martin has been accused multiple times of intentionally trying to hurt an opposing player. Most notably by Sacramento Kings Co-owner Joe Maloof. Martin was accused of intentionally trying to injure Kings Forward Spencer Hawes, as Martin dragged him down by his right arm during a fast break. Maloof felt that Martin should have simply conceded the basket or at least have grabbed Hawes in a way that injury could be prevented. However, Maloof is biased in the fact that it was his own player. He does not understand that in the heat of the moment it’s hard to foul someone “light” if you want to make sure that they won’t score. Martin was being himself, and that is why I am happy that the Nuggets have him and other teams must face him. He plays intimidating defense which is matched by only a select few in the league, including former Nugget Dahntay Jones.
Offensively, however, Martin can be a liability as he has a knack for firing up 18-foot jump shots that seem to clank off the rim more than go down. But when Martin slashes to the basket and looks for put-backs and dunks, he becomes an offensive threat.
The Nuggets will only go as far as their defense can take them, and their defense can only go as far as Martin takes them. Stopping teams on defense starts down low and goes outside, so Martin must shut down the other team’s big man if the Nuggets expect to even be as good as they were last year, let alone going any deeper.
