Nene, the $67 million man.

‘Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane.’
‘He’s injury-prone.’
‘He disappears in the playoffs.’
‘He’s not a good enough rebounder or defender.’
‘He’s too soft.’
‘I can shoot free throws better than he can.’
‘He’s too unselfish.’

You name it, and Nene’s critics have said it. In fact, it is hard to find a player on the Denver Nuggets that has been more criticized than the Nuggets’ 29-year-old big man. And now, after signing a $67 million deal for five years, the pressure is on Nene to prove the skeptics wrong.

He has to be a more intimidating force on the glass and on defense, as well as play more consistently on both sides of the ball. But above all he has to stay healthy over the course of the five-year deal.

Luckily enough, the Nuggets have the luxury to help Nene succeed. Coach George Karl, who has raved about Nene’s importance to the team, has declared he wants to move the Brazilian big man back to his original position at power forward. (more…)