These days, J.J. Hickson takes each moment he spends on the court in a game with appreciation.
The reality in which he now lives says possessions and minutes and games are not promised to him. Earning them back is his ultimate goal, but just going out and playing well in bite-size pieces is his immediate concern.
He felt good to be back out there, playing meaningful minutes in the Nuggets' win over the Lakers on Tuesday — and making a difference.
"I felt great," Hickson said. "I felt like a kid in never-never land.