Can K-Mart prove his worth in Denver?
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By John Schuhmann

You could call them question marks. Or maybe X-factors. Call them whatever you want. These guys have something to prove this season. NBA.com gives you 10 players (in alphabetical order) who will be under the microscope in 2006-07. For various reasons, all eyes are on them.

Next up is Kenyon Martin.

On the Spot Index

K-Mart felt the affects of microfracture surgery for much of last year and believes that he should have waited until January to play at all. A playoff spat with George Karl and suspension led most to believe that his days in Denver were over. But he's still a Nugget and he says things will improve this year.

We saw the Carmelo Anthony raise his game this summer in Japan. Nenê is back and J.R. Smith will look to get his career back on track in Denver. If the Nuggets have a healthy and happy Kenyon Martin as well, an excellent defender and a guy who doesn't need the ball to get his, they can do some serious damage in the Western Conference.

"After the Nuggets failed to find any trade that made sense to unload K-Mart during the summer, can he and Karl peacefully coexist? Well, they were laughing together during practice Tuesday. Of course, 82 NBA games can test any fun couple's sense of humor.

"How can Denver get more than the 14 points per game by Martin since he moved to town? The Nuggets profess they will run this season and play at warp speed.

"No, really. This time, the team means it. Honest."
-- Mark Kiszla, Denver Post

"Much to some people's surprise, Kenyon Martin is still wearing a Nuggets uniform. As for his season-ending suspension during last spring's playoffs and his constant struggle battling knee injuries, he hopes those are in the past, too.

"Even with USA Basketball star Carmelo Anthony present, the biggest spotlight at the Nuggets' media day Monday was on Martin. That's because the organization suspended him for the final three games of the Nuggets' first-round playoff loss to the Clippers last spring for conduct detrimental to the team, leading to trade rumors during the offseason."
-- Marc J. Spears, Denver Post

"And the final front that has me thinking positively about this year's chances for improvement is oddly rooted around Kenyon Martin. I've been very outspoken about the way I feel about Kenyon, but that doesn't mean that if a new leaf is turned that I am not capable of forgiveness. I gauge a lot of how I feel by what the other players are saying about their teammates. In the same Rocky Mountain News article, Marcus Camby states, 'Guys on this team are all for one. What happened last year is over with. He has a clean slate with everybody.' Marcus is also quoted in the Denver Post saying other positive things about the situation. Camby said, 'He's been here the majority of the summer working out and getting his knee healthy. He said he feels great and is ready to return to his All-Star form.'"
-- The Nugg Doctor