Strange Days in Denver

The Nuggets are in a tight spot right now. With George Karl going through cancer treatments, Kenyon Martin poised to receive Platelet-Rich therapy and Ty Lawson out with a shoulder contusion things seem to be getting bad at the wrong time of the season.

Yet, I can’t help but see silver linings everywhere. After a mini-slump, Carmelo Anthony has stepped his game up and over the last three averaged over thirty points per. Chauncey Billups has continued his exemplary play and has been a stalwart leader despite the recent setbacks. In Ty Lawson’s absence, Anthony Carter has filled in beautifully averaging 8.3 assists over the last three contests. Having a veteran point guard waiting in the wings with the ability to make plays is no small luxury. I’m personally glad A.C. has gotten some well deserved playing time before the playoffs. If Lawson is still feeling pain by then or isn’t fully readjusted to the NBA game, Carter may have to continue to be a spark off the bench for the Nuggets.

Out of all the turmoil may come a blessing in disguise. With Kenyon Martin’s absence continuing through until the playoffs, the fear is the inability of anyone on the roster to take his place defensively, especially in the category of rebounding. The Nuggets have already auditioned a few big men in the hopes of filling that gap a little. It’s looking like Brian Cook will be signed to the Nuggets in the next few days, but he hardly fits the description of an inside, defensive presence. I am not worried, though. I have believed the Nuggets already have an answer to their ongoing big man dilemma sitting on their bench.

Johan Petro is a twenty three year old, seven foot project who has wanted to get in games for the past two seasons. In the few instances in which he has garnered playing time he hasn’t disappointed. Though it’s usually been in garbage time, he has demonstrated good, offensive post moves, a nose for rebounds, and active feet on defense. In last Sunday’s game against Portland, Petro grabbed a game high ten rebounds and made a few open jumpers, looking mostly to set up other people on offense. Look for him to defer a less and less as his confidence grows. Back to the blessing in disguise thing, I think this could be exactly what the Nuggets needed in terms of filling in that fourth big man spot in the rotation. Petro is by far our largest player. If he can continue to improve in game situations, he could become quite a force to deal with for any defense or offense in the coming playoffs. Is there anyone else out there to really bang with Bynum in the West? Throwing a lineup of Petro, Nene, and possibly Martin/Andersen against the Lakers or Dallas could really throw them for a tailspin (imagine what Billups, Anthony, Nene, Martin, and Petro would look like out there, it would be the largest lineup in the NBA).

The only way Petro was going to get this kind of opportunity was for either Nene or Martin to be out for an extended period of time. Hopefully it isn’t more than a month for Martin, but that should be enough time for Petro to get his NBA legs under him. You can practice and condition until your nauseous, but the only thing that makes an NBA player is game experience. It is my whole-hearted belief, we will see a star being born over the next month. Petro has intelligence, good instincts, superior athletic ability, and the drive to make himself better and a contributing member of the team.

It is usually a good sign when someone takes on nicknames. In the last few days I have heard Melo call Petro Frenchy and Hochman dub him the French Resistance. I prefer the nickname my roommate, Tomas Trujillo, gave him: The French Elevator. He bestowed this moniker a few weeks ago, simply in relation to his height. I see it now as a possible precursor for things to come. If Petro can become the player we yearn for him to be, he could truly elevate the Nuggets performance and playoff standing. BON CHANCE JOHAN!!!!!!!!!