Denver Welcomes Kenyon

"The first thing is great ownership. They’ve got to be committed to bringing a winner. I know Mr. Kroenke is committed to bringing a winning franchise to Denver and bringing back the good old days! I appreciate all the support he has given me and the Nuggets organization to kind of try and go out and build the best team that we can possibly build.

"The second thing you need is great fans. I know that when Kenyon and some of the other free agents like Andre Miller and Earl Boykins came to visit us, they saw what great fans we have. Teams that play against us now know that they are coming to play in one of the loudest buildings and will be playing one of the best supported teams in all of the NBA.

“We’re going to add a player that all through his career has been a winner, makes other players better, plays with intensity, basically he brings it. He brings it every single night. Hopefully he’ll make me look good as a general manager.

“I’d like to welcome Kenyon Martin and his wife Heather to the Nuggets family.”

Kenyon Martin:
“I’d just like to say it’s an honor being here. It was a great run in Jersey but it was time for a change. I’m just excited I can be a part of this.”

How far can Nuggets go?
“As far as we allow ourselves. Just so long as we come out and play the game the right way every night, come and defend every night, I don’t see no reason. This team made it to the playoffs, they had an excellent team last year. And I feel what I bring to the table can only help.”

Do you fit in ideally to this type of running attack?
“Yeah. It’s the way I’ve been playing my whole career. For four years we’ve been up and down, so the way they want to run, talking to coach, that’s the way they want to play. That’s the way I’m capable of playing, that’s the way I’m accustomed to playing, so that’s what we have to do – run teams right out of the gym. I’m prepared to do that.”

When did you start to seriously consider the Nuggets?
“I had interest right off the bat. My home was Jersey and that was my first choice. But as things went along and I looked at certain things, the way the team was going, the things that were going on in New Jersey, new ownership – there’s uncertainty there - so I’m just trying to make the best move for me and my family. Just weighing the options of the teams, Atlanta is probably a couple years away, in Denver they’re winning now. So I wanted to be a part of a winning organization. Just having me sit down and think and talk to my wife and my agent, and just go from there. We feel we made the right decision.”

Will it be an adjustment moving to a smaller market?
“It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter the market. I’m going to do my thing regardless. It’ll be a big market, trust me. I feel I bring enough energy and excitement and all that, people will follow.

Have you talked with Carmelo Anthony at all?
“I haven’t spoken with him. I spoke with him briefly, but nothing since the trade. The guys did an excellent job putting this thing together. I haven’t spoken with him yet, but I’m pretty sure I will in the near future.”

How much did his presence here impact your decision?
“He’s a great player. Like I said before, he should have been co-Rookie of the Year in my eyes. He played well enough to carry this team to the playoffs as a 19-year-old kid. Just playing on the side of a guy like that will be great.”

What stood out about this Nuggets team from playing against them?
“What stood out? How hard they played. They played hard every night, 48 minutes whether the game was going well or if it was going bad, they played hard. So that’s what you like. You like teams that play hard, who have a lot of energy, that are well-coached – those are great organizations.”

Is there pressure for this team to perform well?
“There’s no pressure, you just got to go out there and play. I just thank (Mr. Kroenke) for having me here. We have an excellent chance. It’s wide open.”

Are you aiming for a division crown as well as playoff bid?
“Why wouldn’t we? Why sell yourself short. I’m not guaranteeing it, if that’s what you want me to do. I’m just going out to play and win every game I play in. It might not work out that way, but every time I step on the court I play to win. So why sell yourself short.”

Effect of the altitude on you?
“I’ve only played here once a year so I can’t answer that question. Altitude don’t bother me none. I’m going to go out and play, whether I’m tired or not, it doesn’t matter. Now, I have a chance to get used to it, since y’all say it’s a big difference. I’m here, so no matter what the circumstances are, altitude or whatever, I’m just here to play.”

Was it tough to talk your wife into coming to Denver?
“No, she’s happy. She’s happy for me. So whatever I’m doing, she’s happy. It wasn’t hard persuading, as long as there’s a Neiman-Marcus here, she’s good (laughing).”