The fastest way to get out of a dark tunnel is to keep going.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s what Cam Johnson plans on doing when he returns to the court. Denver\u2019s starting small forward told the The Denver Gazette he doesn\u2019t anticipate playing in Monday\u2019s game in Utah due to a right ankle injury that forced him out of Sunday\u2019s loss to the Timberwolves in the fourth quarter. Johnson missed all six of his shots, four from 3-point range, and finished scoreless in 23 minutes. In six games since the All-Star break, Johnson is 16 for 51 (31.4%) from the field and 8 for 30 (26.7%) from 3-point range.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne (part) is understanding that you\u2019ve been through it before,\u201d a dejected Johnson said in the locker room. \u201c(It\u2019s) understanding that every time that you\u2019ve felt down that you don\u2019t really feel like you\u2019re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel \u2014 you just feel like you keep letting yourself down, letting your teammates down \u2014 every time that\u2019s happened, I\u2019ve been able to turn it around and get back on track some way somehow.\u201d<\/p>\n
First, he needs to get his right ankle right. Johnson said it\u2019s an older problem that has lingered throughout his first season in Denver. He\u2019s exploring different shoes or orthotics to help combat the issue.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe did not move well today,\u201d Nuggets coach David Adelman said. \u201cCam knows we\u2019re out a lot of people at the wing position, so he fought through it. I think it obviously affected his game. He had a hard time moving side to side.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the latest in what\u2019s been a challenging season for the man who turns 30 on Tuesday. He shot 31.6% from 3 in October. He rounded into his usual form from deep in November (43.9%) and December (46%) before a bone bruise on Dec. 23 cost him six weeks in the middle of the season. He returned for three games before the break and went 5 for 9 from 3.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe most frustrating thing is just not really being able to find a consistent rhythm,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cIt\u2019s just feeling a little stuck.\u201d<\/p>\n
Being stuck isn\u2019t the same as being stopped, something Johnson understands.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt hasn\u2019t knocked me out of the game completely yet. It hasn\u2019t forced me to hang it up. It hasn\u2019t forced me to miss every shot for the rest of my career,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cI just got to continue on with that trust, continue to work and forget about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n <\/a>
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n <\/a>
\n
\n
\n
\n <\/a>
\n
\n
\n
\n <\/a>
\n
\n
\n
\n <\/a>
\n
<\/p>\n