He'll never win the MVP or even defensive player of the year, but in terms of the Denver Nuggets' immediate future, Reggie Evans' importance can't be understated.

Granted, the way he plays might not be graceful or pretty, but Evans, a 6-foot-8 bowling ball of a power forward, always elevates the Nuggets level of play and the energy on the court. A team built on speed and quickness must have energy, and that represents Evans' best attribute.

He jostles for every rebound, challenges every shot and embellishes a hit coming around picks to draw a charge. Too few people in the NBA consistently fill this role, and the Nuggets should be thankful Evans happily fills that spot for 20 minutes a night.

The Nuggets' roster remains loaded with power forwards, but none but Evans uses his team as wisely and effectively. He ranks second on the team -- not including the injured Kenyon Martin -- in rebounds at around eight per game. Evans grabs those rebounds, just less than three fewer than Marcus Camby, while playing 10 minutes fewer than Camby.

His 2.7 offensive rebounds a game are more than Camby. Evans also averages more than a steal per game.

If Evans were several inches taller, he'd be regarded as Ben Wallace is.

This team wants to be known for its up-tempo, leave-you-in-the-dust style, but without someone to clear the rebounds, the break can't start. Evans' presence allows the Nuggets high-flying wing players to leave the defensive end early.

Evans also represents the Nuggets' most durable, perhaps, power forward. He has played at least 67 games since breaking into the league with Seattle in 2002.

Critics point to his lack of offensive repertoire, but if Evans can raise his free-throw percentage to better than 60 percent, some of those liabilities become less of a problem. In addition, he is shooting better than 65 percent, meaning he has made the most of his chances underneath the basket.

Don't consider this a lock to happen, however, because Evans is a career 54 percent free-throw shooter. Evans is a career 47 percent shooter from the field.

Evans' effort becomes especially crucial considering when he plays, particularly when Carmelo Anthony is on the bench. When the superstar goes to the bench, the Nuggets' offense can quickly stagnate. Players stand as someone pounds the ball into the court at the top of the key.

Because Evans grabs so many offensive rebounds, the Nuggets can survive those stretches when their shooting goes Arctic.

Extra shots after Evans rebounds means extra chances for the Nuggets to finally assert themselves in the Western Conference.