Hated to see Kmart go down, but we all knew that there was a decent chance Kmart was going to miss chunks of the season due to injury. It's too bad, because he was probably playing as well this season as I have seen him play in Denver. Come back soon Kmart!!

All that being said, Kmart's injury is a real opportunity for Rolando Balkman to soldify his role on this team. There are those of us that feel that Karl should be giving Balk 20-25 minutes a game. Balk is one of those few players in the League that adds certain intangibles that don't always show up on the stat board but really give a team a winning edge. His ability to get loose balls, create steals, harrass defenders, and get easy buckets inside are qualities the Nuggets are really going to need if Kmart is out for a long stretch. Karl needs to put up with Balk being out of position once in a while, and let hime do this thing. Balk could really drive opponents nuts if he gets minutes. Let's hope Karl gives most of Kmart's minutes to Balk and Birdman (not Petro and Allen) and give the Nuggs starting 5 an edge that they are going to need while Kmart rehabs...