In 2008-09, along came Jones.

With little fanfare and even less ego, Dahntay Jones has entrenched himself in the Nuggets' starting lineup. His typical assignment: Try to slow All-Stars such as Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade and Manu Ginobili.

"Everybody knows that Dahntay's our 15- to 20-minute defensive angry guy that we're going to sic on somebody most nights," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "Everybody seems to be excited about it. There's a defensive focus early in the games that we have not had in the past."

That focus was there again Saturday night, when the Nuggets held the Sacramento Kings to 29.3 percent shooting in an easy 118-85 victory.

Jones missed 7-of-8 shots against the Kings, but his wayward shooting underscored his role with the first unit.

Playing alongside Chauncey Billups, Carmelo Anthony, Nene and Kenyon Martin, Jones doesn't have to score to be effective. Denver is 13-4 since Karl added him to the starting lineup.

"You have to have somebody do some intangibles - cut, rebound, defend, not worry about where my next shot's coming from," said Jones, who is averaging 5.9 points per game. "Those are things I naturally do."

With Jones as a starter, Karl has the luxury of bringing shooting guard J.R. Smith and swingman Linas Kleiza off the bench. Both are better known for their offensive ability than their defensive prowess.

"Having a low-maintenance offensive player with the starters is a good thing," Karl said. "There's a courage to (Jones) that players like to play with. He's not afraid of anybody, anything, any assignment."

Jones, the 20th overall pick of the 2003 draft, said he lives by the motto, "Respect everyone, fear no one."

"I'm not intimidated," he said. "I respect all my opponents and all the guys I have to guard, because they all have different talents and they're all great in their own ways."

Jones, who joined the Nuggets as a free agent during the summer, is hoping his subtle talent helps him find a home in Denver. He played in only 25 games for Sacramento last season when the Memphis Grizzlies didn't re-sign him after the 2006-07 season.

"It's a new beginning for me," Jones said. "Hopefully, I can find my own niche on this team."

Atkins likes Magic

Healthy for the first time since signing with the Nuggets nearly 18 months ago, Chucky Atkins can't help but feel a little restless.

The veteran point guard is buried in Karl's playing rotation, often relegated to extended mop-up duty or spot minutes when the game still has meaning. That's why Atkins perks up when he hears his name has been mentioned in trade talks involving the Orlando Magic.

"It would be perfect for me," Atkins, an Orlando native, said Sunday. "It would be an opportunity to play. It's home. I can't turn it down."

Orlando general manager Otis Smith told Florida Today that he has talked to Denver management about Atkins but nothing is imminent as the Magic explores options to add depth at the point.

Depending on the players involved, trading Atkins could benefit the Nuggets as they try to get under the luxury-tax threshold.

Atkins is making $3.24 million this season and is guaranteed only $760,000 in the final year of his contract next season, making him attractive for a team seeking salary relief.

"I like Denver," Atkins said. "The coaching staff has been fair to me. The ownership and the front office has been fair to me. Since I've been here, I've been injured. I'm back now. Teams know what I can do.

"For me to be playing 10 or 11 minutes when the game is over, I'll do that now, but ultimately, I feel like it's a disrespect. I ain't sitting here saying I want to be traded, but if there's a trade to be made, (Orlando) is the trade for me."

Recovery plan

Martin sat out the game Saturday night because of a sore left wrist that has been bothering him for several weeks.

Because the Nuggets don't play again until Wednesday, Martin will have five days between games to help the wrist improve.

Numbers game

2 wins of at least 30 points by the Nuggets in their past three games. They put together back-to-back 30-plus-point victories last season against Toronto and Seattle.