http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_6569019 Martin confident he'll play in opener By Marc J. Spears Denver Post Staff Writer Article Last Updated: 08/07/2007 11:21:04 PM MDT Monday, the 6-foot-9, 240-pounder ran in an uptempo treadmill workout for the first time since he last played, Nov. 3 against Minnesota. Martin, who missed all but two games last season because of microfracture surgery on his right knee, and Nuggets strength and conditioning coach Steve Hess said they are confident Martin will play in the season opener Oct. 31 against Seattle. "Kenyon will be doing something on the court with this team," said Martin, 29, after working out at the Pepsi Center. "Whether it's just me going in and waving, I'm going to contribute in the first game of the season. I expect to play whether it's 10 minutes, two minutes - I expect to play." Hess said Martin began working out for the upcoming season two weeks after the 2006-07 season ended. From this week until training camp begins Oct. 3, Martin is expected to work out five days a week in Denver and plans to be ready for the Nuggets' first practice. This week's workout consists of treadmill running, shooting, weightlifting and yoga. "I'm confident he'll play (opening night)," Hess said. The Dallas native said he has made health mistakes in the past, including working out for the New Jersey Nets in 2000 with a broken leg that wasn't totally healed, as well as coming back too early after arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in 2005. Martin said the seven-year, $92.5 million contract he signed in 2004 was among the reasons he rushed himself to return. "I got caught up in signing the contract here," Martin said. "Our fans want to see me play. (Nuggets owner Stan) Kroenke wants to see me play. Everybody wants to see me play and I got caught up in that. I got paid and I got to show these people why I'm worth this money. But if I ain't healthy, than I'm not going to be worth it anyway. "So I might as well think about what I'm doing to hurt my body and shorten my career. They are going to just move the next person in if Kenyon can't play. And I don't like that." Martin said he has been "pretty down" while recovering from his latest surgery. The 2004 NBA all-star said he was most emotional when he woke up from surgery Nov. 15 in Vail to Dr. Richard Steadman's news that he was out for the rest of the season. "When he told me I was out for the season, the tears just started coming," Martin said. "I knew it was a possibility, but I was optimistic that I would be out six or eight weeks. But you wake up and you're out for the season. I couldn't deal with it." Martin said he was also down prior to Game 1 of the Nuggets' first round playoff series against eventual NBA champion San Antonio. "(Teammate) Allen (Iverson) saw my face and said, 'It's going to be all right,"' Martin said. "I couldn't handle it. That's the best time of the year. Game 1. I want to play, I want to compete and I know I can help this team." Martin will change from No. 6 to No. 4, which he wore at Cincinnati, because he dominated while wearing No. 4 for the Bearcats. Now with the Nuggets' big-man spots solidified by Nene and Marcus Camby, Martin expects to be a reserve but hopes for a bigger role. "I will definitely understand it, but I won't say I will like it," Martin said. "But I'm trying to get my mind around it to get prepared for that." Random thoughts A look at some of the other topics Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin discussed Tuesday: On his relationship with coach George Karl: "It might be selfish, but if I come back the right way, me and George's relationship will take care of itself. Like I said before last season, I don't have no problem with George. This is George's team. There was some stuff last (season) by me saying he should play Reggie (Evans in the playoffs). That's just the way I felt. But it was nothing. I don't want that hanging over my head or my team's head going into a new season." On how he has changed: "I've grown a lot by the way I approach my life and my day-to-day struggles and day-to-day happiness knowing that can help me out on the court as far as letting things go and not getting mad as easy. ... I'm reading a book right now on happiness and peace." On regaining his athleticism: "I know I'm going to have to take some of the craziness off. Jumping for no reason, sometimes I will have to let something go. I got my mind around that, but I'm not going to be passive." On what it will mean to play again: "It would mean the world. It's basketball. Competition. Practice. Just to put on the uniform again, new number." Staff writer Marc J. Spears can be reached at 303-954-1098 or [email protected]. --

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