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For the Denver Nuggets, the 2010-11 season has been one of media-flamed rumors, injuries to key players, an historic run to 1,000 career victories for NBA coaching legend George Karl, and just enough success on the court to remain relevant as a playoff contender.

"I compliment my guys," says Nuggets Head Coach George Karl.  "It has not only been a Melo show this year.  It has been a lot of guys who have come in and contributed in a very positive way, and it’s early, but there are a lot of positive things about this team that we have to keep our focus on and not worry about maybe losing a game when you are short-handed."

One of those positive things has come as a complete surprise.  

The 6′ 5.5" shooting guard Gary Forbes went undrafted in 2008 as a fifth year senior from the University of Massachusetts despite ripping through the NBA pre-draft camp in Orlando as an offensive force.  Then two successful stints in the D-League were followed by time in the Philippines and with Gruppo Triboldi Cremona of Italy.  Everywhere Forbes has played, he has shown an ability to score the ball.

Maybe it was the diabetic condition diagnosed in 2005 that knocked Forbes down a peg, or maybe it is just the seeming reluctance of NBA teams to give older rookies a shot, but the best offer Forbes could get from the NBA coming into this season was a non-guaranteed minimum contract with Denver.

All that prior experience is starting to pay off for Forbes now, however.

"I think it has been easier for Gary," explained the Nuggets six-year veteran J.R. Smith.  "He played in the D-League so he had a little bit of experience before coming in.  

"He knows how to play already," continued Smith.  "So it is not really a big transition for him.  There are a few key points that he could enhance of course, like everybody, but I think he has made a great transition so far."

That’s high praise from a veteran shooting guard who is in a contract season and is in direct competition for minutes with the rookie.  But that’s not all Smith had to say about Forbes’ play.

"His basketball I.Q. is crazy," said Smith.  "To be the player that he is and be a rookie, even though he is older, is unbelievable.  He makes plays out there that a lot of vets don’t really see and don’t know.

"Defensively, he can guard one through four," Smith continued.  "Whoever we put him on.  We have played the premier teams in the league this year already, and just to see the way he handled himself against those guys, we know that he is going to be a great defender."

For an offensive-minded player whose defense was suspect coming out of college, being noticed as a defender is more than a small surprise.

That Forbes has been a starter this early in his career on a playoff-bound, veteran-laden team is also unusual and Coach Karl has been unable to resist poking fun with (at) the media about playing him.

"Gary Forbes (starting tonight), I think so," said Karl before the game in Toronto.  "He gave me a couple of hundred before the game.

"The rook, he is lower than a rook, he is a D-League rook," joked Karl before acknowledging what Forbes has contributed.  "He has been good.  I can’t complain about Gary Forbes because he gives you great effort and great professionalism."

{AUTHOR_BOX}The play of this rookie has even begun to catch the attention of the opposing teams.  When the Toronto Raptors Head Coach was asked who was expected to step up for the Nuggets with Melo out, the rookie’s name was the first words out of his mouth.

"Gary Forbes is a guy who has taken advantage of an opportunity with a team that wanted him," said Triano. "He can shoot the ball, he is in great shape, and he is a guy who is looking for it.

"I think he is taking advantage of an opportunity to play in the NBA," continued Triano.  "There is a hunger there."

At 25-years-old, Forbes fully understands just how big an opportunity it is to finally have a chance to play at the NBA level.

"I have been blessed with opportunity," says Forbes. "Luckily the coaches have that much trust to start me and have a lot confidence in my abilities and what I bring to the table.

"This summer I got in a lot better shape working out with David Thorpe (Executive Director of the Pro Training Center)," continued Forbes.  "I got in great shape and I am able to keep up with the guys and I feel like I am a NBA player."  

Plus, he values the experience he gained after college by playing overseas and in the D-League.

"Even though I am a rookie," explained Forbes.  "I feel like I have been through a lot and I am mature enough to handle the adversities and ups and downs of a long year."

"(My coaches) know that I have been around the block," continued Forbes.  "That I am mature enough and will not make the same rookie mistakes that a 20-year-old might make."

So far this season, Forbes has been averaging a respectable 6.5 points on 53.8 percent shooting and a couple of rebounds in his 13.4 minutes per game.  But in his four starts, when he averages 20 minutes a game, he is scoring 10 points on 63 percent shooting and adding 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks to go with his 2.5 boards.  "There is a hunger there."

As an older rookie, Forbes is taking full advantage of his opportunity to have an NBA career.  This is one young man whom we might not have known before the season started, but is worth keeping a close eye on as the season progresses.

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