Johan Petro

Though many thought the postseason hopes of the Denver Nuggets would rise and fall on the health of Kenyon Martin, Johan Petro has proven in eight starts during Martin’s absence that is not necessarily the case.

In JP’s eight starts, the Nuggets are 6-2, including a win over the Portland Trail Blazers and two over the New Orleans Hornets.

TrailBlazers beat writer Geoffrey C. Arnold noticed what Johan has offered to the Nuggets in a recent column breaking down the Western Conference Playoff picture:

“Johan Petro has filled in nicely for Martin, and the Nuggets have won seven of their last eight games. They have defeated the Blazers two out of the first three games this season, and the teams play each other April 1 in Denver.”

Johan is averaging 5.5 points and 6.9 rebounds per game in those eight starts. He has doubled up on the scoreboard twice, with double-doubles against the Hornets and Houston Rockets. In all, he has entered double digits on the glass three times, also doing so against the Blazers.

When Johan has taken a shot, he’s rarely missed, dropping 69 percent of his attempts. He also dished out seven assists.

Johan blanketing New Orleans' David West (Getty Images).

But his best work has been on the defensive end. Of No. 27’s 55 rebounds over the eight-game span, 42 of them have come on the defensive boards, effectively ending opponents’ possessions and giving the Nuggets refreshed scoring opportunities. He’s stifled three shots with powerful swats and even recorded a pair of steals.

His defensive prowess has shown in the limitation of some of the league’s top big men. Opponents’ starting centers are averaging 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game when matched against JP. He’s limited some of the leagues best including Minnesota’s Al Jefferson, New Orleans’ Emeka Okafor, Memphis’ Marc Gasol, and Milwaukee’s Andrew Bogut.

Martin is reportedly looking toward a playoff-time return, which means No. 27 will have hold down the fort for 11 more games as he gets ready to help Denver into the playoffs. But as he’s shown over the month of March, Johan is plenty up to the task.

NEXT UP
JP and his Nuggets teammates finish off an east coast back-to-back tonight in Beantown as they take on Kendrick Perkins and the Boston Celtics. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. Mountain Time on ESPN.

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