A whole lotta notes. …
It’s April and the Nuggets’ go-to 3-point shooter is … Linas Kleiza?
You could look it up, but since you’re in a hurry this morning, I did it for you. Kleiza at .389 is the Nuggets’ best shooter from beyond the arc. But it’s the numbers behind the numbers that tell the real story.
Here are Kleiza’s month-by-month shooting percentages from downtown since the start of the season: .143, .333, .360, .385, .434 and .462.
Not bad for a guy who made two 3-pointers in his entire rookie season.
What gives? Two things. First, there’s nothing like burying a few shots and getting extra minutes to make a young player’s confidence soar. And second? Kleiza says you can credit Allen Iverson with an assist in his dramatic improvement.
“He’s been great,” Kleiza said. “Every time, he tells me, ‘Just shoot it.’It gives you a lot of confidence knowing he’s got that kind of trust in me and his teammates.” …
George Karl, on Kleiza: “He’s one of the best young professionals I’ve ever coached. Reminds me a little bit of a Detlef Schrempf. He comes to the gym with a very serious attitude, a very professional attitude.” …
As for Kleiza’s improved D, “I’m feeling comfortable playing him at different positions,” Karl said. “I remember at the beginning of the year how teams were always icing him and just going at his defense. And now he’s covering Kobe Bryant in the fourth quarter of a big game.” …
Let me see if I’ve got this straight. Carmelo Anthony wanted to cover Kobe on Monday night? Maybe the Nuggets have grown as tired as the rest of us of this one-and-done stuff in the playoffs. …
Funny how these things work: Trevor Hoffman, no wins in 65 appearances last season, one win in three appearances this season. …
So it’s official, then. Mike Hampton is the worst signing since the Indians unloaded Manhattan for 24 bucks. …
Brandon Inge, 0-for-20 in the Tigers’ first six games, is on pace for a career year. How do we know? Because, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, two of the previous three players to go 0-fer after six games were Hall of Famers – Willie Stargell, 0-for-21 in 1970, and Ozzie Smith, 0-for-26 in 1979. …
So what idiot selected Inge in my fantasy-league draft? Let’s put it this way. I’ll never say another disparaging word about Dan O’Dowd. …
The answers are no and no. No, Todd Sauerbrun isn’t going to be punting for the Broncos next season. And no, the Broncos aren’t finished looking for an upgrade to Paul Ernster, last seen going nose to nose with then-special teams coach Ronnie Bradford on the bench. …
Just wondering: It’s Wednesday. Has Bob Huggins left West Virginia yet? …
Jamey Carroll, Jeff Baker, Yorvit Torrealba, Steve Finley. … Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the deepest bench in Rockies history. …
Told you so. That the Rockies didn’t have enough pitching, that is. So what do they go out and do? Rack up a 3.48 ERA in their first seven games, almost a run lower than last April’s 4.42. …
This just in. Mike Shanahan has signed a three-year contract extension with the Broncos. Not only that, Shanahan said it’s OK for Pat Bowlen to keep owning the team. …
Sure, Shanahan has made his share of mistakes, particularly on draft day, but I’ll take Bowlen’s coach-for-life strategy over other NFL owners coach du jour nonsense. …
Memo to the Mavs: Not so fast, fellas. One of the past six No. 1 seeds in the West has won the NBA title. Makes sense, since only one of the six reached the Finals. …
And finally, congrats to the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2007.
Jim Armstrong can be reached at 303-954-1269 or jarmstrong@denverpost.com.
