Boykins displays hunger
Aaron J. Lopez, Rocky Mountain News

Before leaving the Pepsi Center after a recent team meeting, Earl Boykins veered toward a snack machine, inserted his coins and pushed a button.

The item of choice landed with a muted thud.

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Loaded with artificial flavors and preservatives, the package of Hot Fries represented a staple in the diet of Earl.

In a fitness-conscious athletic era defined by protein shakes, personal trainers and nutritional supplements, the Denver Nuggets guard is an anarchist who routinely picks up lunch at Burger King after a morning workout.

"I eat like a regular person," he said after practice Friday. "I enjoy fast food."

His dining habits might mirror that of mainstream America, but Boykins is anything but ordinary.

While some people gain weight just looking at a Whopper or a double-decker taco, Boykins weighs about 135 pounds and carries less than 4 percent body fat on his 5-foot-5 frame.

He is a genetic phenomenon who drives Nuggets strength and conditioning coach Steve Hess crazy.

"He's very diligent with his (weight) lifting and stays in condition, but when it comes to his eating, I want to knock him out," Hess said. "It kills me. But maybe if I had his genetics . . . even if I had his genetics, I wouldn't eat like that."

Though Boykins' diet makes Hess cringe, it is hard to argue with the results.

After enjoying the best season of his career, Boykins appears poised to make a strong campaign for the NBA's Sixth Man Award.

He scored 18 points on 7-for-12 shooting and had six assists in Denver's six-point victory against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night. The Nuggets play in Milwaukee tonight.

"He's very deserving of starting, but it's not necessarily who starts, it's what kind of impact do you have on the game," Nuggets coach Jeff Bzdelik said. "He has a tremendous impact on the game."

Boykins averaged a career-best 10.2 points in 22.5 minutes last season. He often was on the court during crunch time, and he received an unsolicited endorsement as the game's top sixth man from league MVP Kevin Garnett of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Alas, the award went to former Dallas Mavericks forward Antawn Jamison.

"Personally, I think whenever I'm out on the court, even here (in Denver), I have to prove myself," Boykins said. "I still feel that I have a lot to prove in this league, and I don't think that's ever going to change."

To that end, Boykins spent much of the summer working out and honing his jump shot at a recreation center in Cleveland. His dedication could pay dividends for a Nuggets team with only one prototypical shooting guard, Voshon Lenard.

"I worked on really extending my range," Boykins said. "I wanted to prepare myself because I feel that this is the first time I've ever been on a team that had a chance to win. I wanted to make sure that I'm ready."

If he stays healthy, Lenard will be in the starting lineup for the Nov. 2 regular-season opener, and Boykins will be Denver's instant offense off the bench.

"When I signed here (in 2003), I didn't sign to be a starter. I signed to back up (point guard) Andre Miller," he said. "I knew what I was getting into. I accepted the role last summer and I'll continue to accept the role."

Boykins also will continue to defy the laws of fitness and nutrition. Despite his affinity for grease and saturated fat, Boykins amazed Hess during a demanding conditioning drill during training camp.

Without much warm-up, Boykins sprinted the length of the court and back three times in less than 30 seconds. With little more than a one-minute break between intervals, he proceeded to complete five more sets at the same sub-30 rate.

"He could wake up from a dead sleep and go play a basketball game," Hess said. "I've never, ever, seen an individual like that in my life."

And to replenish his system after the workout? It likely included another trip to the fast-food counter.

"I think he tried one (protein) milk shake and said it tasted like garbage," Hess said "He (ticks) me off because he's not a good example. But he's unbelievable."

ETC: The Nuggets made their first roster cuts before heading to Milwaukee, waiving guard Billy Keys, forward Desmond Penigar and center Soumaila Samake. Keys was the only one of the three who did not play Thursday night. "It was tough, but all those players come here with an understanding that it is very difficult," Bzdelik said. "They were never misled. They know this is a tough business." Denver has 17 players remaining in camp and must cut at least two more before Nov. 2 . . . Rookie point guard Marcus Hatten remained in contention to land a roster spot after strong showings in the team scrimmage and preseason opener. "Coming in here as an undrafted rookie, you've got to treat every day like you could be gone the next morning," he said . . . Power forward Kenyon Martin (sprained toe) practiced and is expected to make his preseason debut tonight. Forwards Nene (hamstring) and Nikoloz Tskitishvili (hamstring) will not play and Rodney White (knee) is questionable . . . The NBA and WNBA are holding an online auction (Auctions.WNBA.com) to raise money for breast cancer research. Among the items up for bids are two tickets to the NBA All-Star Game in Denver and a jersey signed by Carmelo Anthony.

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