MORE "POLISHED"

Here's the frightening thing for the Mavericks - George Karl believes the Nuggets can play better.

Denver leads the series 2-0, but Karl believes the Nuggets' Game 2 defense needed to be "polished" - Dirk Nowitzki finished with 35 points (the most of any playoff opponent this postseason), the Mavericks got to the line 30 times and after three quarters, with the Nuggets up by just three points (they won by 12), Dallas was shooting about 50 percent.

"We weren't bad defensively, we just weren't alert until the fourth quarter," said Karl, whose team plays Saturday at Dallas. "I just think we need to be a little more aware of playing every possession a little more seriously defensively."

Karl pointed to the Mavericks' ability to get layups and tip-ins as a fixable problem, also understanding that Dallas post players Erick Dampier and Ryan Hollins will likely be on the floor more; both bigs battled foul trouble in Game 2.

Techs rescinded. In Tuesday's game, Denver's Kenyon Martin and Hollins became entangled and each was called for a technical foul. But Wednesday, the NBA rescinded the technical fouls, according to Tim Frank, the league's vice president of Basketball communications. That means Martin's playoff total is back to two. After getting a seventh, a player is suspended for one postseason game.

No respect. Ask anyone around the Nuggets' locker room, and they'll tell you Martin is Denver's top defender, and one of the fiercest defenders in the league. But Wednesday, the NBA announced its all-defensive first and second teams, elected by the coaches, and Martin didn't receive a single vote.

"For some reason, Kenyon doesn't get the recognition or respect that I think he deserves," Karl said. "I think he should have gotten votes for defensive player of the year."

Nene and Chris Andersen each received one second-

place vote, and guard J.R. Smith received one first-

place vote. Smith's defense has improved, but he has never really been known for his defending. Told about the Smith vote, Karl said: "That's cool - interesting."

They said it. "He doesn't mind playing Robin sometimes. And that's the key - when your best player is willing to take a back seat for the betterment of a team, that's when you start to make progress as a team." - Chauncey Billups, on Carmelo Anthony

Benjamin Hochman,

The Denver Post