Why Doesn't JR Smith Start?

Discussion in 'Denver Nuggets' started by Shapecity, Nov 22, 2008.

  1. Shapecity

    Shapecity S2/JBB Teamster Staff Member Administrator

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    After Iverson was traded, I thought the beneficiary would be JR Smith because it would give him a chance to start at shooting guard.

    Playing alongside Chauncey Billups should elevate his game because Billups would set him up with a lot of easy looks and backdoor lob passes.

    Instead Karl is using Dahntay Jones in the starting lineup. In the Laker game last night the Nuggets had terrible spacing and the defense didn't pay any attention to Jones. Nene & KMart struggled to get shots off, and Melo was shadowed everytime he touched the ball.

    At JR Smith is a threat on the offensive end and he's become a smarter player with the basketball.

    The Nuggets aren't geared to play from behind because they aren't a strong defensive team. Why is Karl having Smith come off the bench?
     
  2. Moo2K4

    Moo2K4 NBA West Producer

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    I'm pretty sure Karl just doesn't like him. That's about all I can think of. He's clearly the best option they have at shooting guard and is arguably their second best offensive player, so I have no idea why he wouldn't be starting unless Karl just doesn't like him.
     
  3. GMJ

    GMJ Suspended

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    Tremaine in 4, 3, 2, ...
     
  4. NattaNerNuttaMan

    NattaNerNuttaMan NattaNerNutta like Spike

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    :confused:I honestly don't see a reason either...JR can be a great scorer (25+ ppg) if given the starting nod...but as stated above...Karl just must not like the guy...but if not...why not trade him? I'd imaging he's worth alot to a number of teams out there.:dunno::confused::crazy:
     
  5. Answer_AI03

    Answer_AI03 JBB JustBBall Member

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    Karl is a bad coach. seriously. watch the nuggets play and you'll see what i mean. JR smith should have been starting last year...
     
  6. Moo2K4

    Moo2K4 NBA West Producer

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    That's debatable, though I agree. The only issue with starting him last year is that they'd have had to play AI at PG all season...and he's not a PG...at all. He's a 2, always has been and always will be.

    Or, I guess they could have gone super small and could have had Melo play the 4...but that would have ended up being worse than AI playing PG.
     
  7. Answer_AI03

    Answer_AI03 JBB JustBBall Member

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    I don't remember AI ever getting significant minutes at the one until the playoffs when JR Smith was tearing up the spurs. That line up worked great and they should have used it more throughout AI's tenure there.
     
  8. Shapecity

    Shapecity S2/JBB Teamster Staff Member Administrator

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    Maybe he doesn't like him, and having him come off the bench is his way of flipping his finger off at management for signing him to an extension.

    I can understand why they had him off the bench with AI on the roster, but having him behind Dahntay "journeyman" Jones is ridiculous.

    I guess the counter argument is the team is 8-2 since the AI trade, but they aren't going to compete with the elite Western Conference teams unless they start playing their best 5.
     
  9. Moo2K4

    Moo2K4 NBA West Producer

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    And their best 5 should include Smith. He's the arguably the 2nd best scorer on the team, and for Dahntay Jones to be getting more minutes than him is ridiculous. Karl needs to get over himself and realize that the NBA is about winning, not about holding grudges.
     
  10. Opal

    Opal Active Member

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    He doesn't start because Karl wants him to be the spark off the bench and Dahntay Jones is a much better defender, which we need. JR Smith is an energy guy on this team and he gets more shot opportunities coming off the bench when 'Melo and/or Chauncey are resting. They need Jones to start to cover the offensive top scorers for the other team that are either shooting guard or small forward.
     
  11. DynastYWarrioR6

    DynastYWarrioR6 JBB SmurfY

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    Well I saw earlier today on PTI that Karl and JR aren't talking....woohoo?
     
  12. Moo2K4

    Moo2K4 NBA West Producer

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    That's not a surprise. Karl and JR haven't gotten along since JR came to Denver. I just don't get what Karl has against him. I realize he can be a putz sometimes, but the kid has talent. Who cares that he's not as good of a defender as Dahntay freaking Jones, he's a MUCH better player. Plus, since when did Karl care about defense? The Nuggets haven't been good on defense in god knows how long, and they're not really that good this year. If you plug JR in to the starting lineup and play him 35+ mpg, they're probably not going to give up too many more points than what they already do. At some point, I think he'll start because he's the 2nd best scorer on that entire team, Karl just needs to get over his stupid, petty and pointless grudge.
     
  13. Opal

    Opal Active Member

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    I think they have been on shaky terms ever since two years ago when in the playoffs we had a chance to win the game and JR just went down court and threw up a horrible shot.

    The Nuggets are sticking with what is working. They are first in the division not starting JR Smith. He has been a great spark off the bench and he has realized that is what the team needs from him so he is accepting that role. This isn't the same JR Smith that was a punk out of high school, he has matured and realized he isn't going to be the star of this team.

    Actually, the Nuggets are playing solid defense this year. Last year we allowed 107 per game, this year it is at 98 per game. That is in the middle of the pack, being exactly 15th in the league.

    If you give him 35+ MPG starting him, it isn't just about defense anymore, it is about sticking with what's working. They are winning without JR in the starting lineup starting Dahntay Jones and Ronaldo Balkman over him. They want JR Smith to be like Manu Ginobili is coming off the bench.
     

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