Linas Kleiza is taking it all in stride.
The Nuggets forward, who was instrumental in a reserve role down the stretch of the regular season, has been nearly invisible against the San Antonio Spurs with averages of 2.0 points and 1.7 rebounds in the first three games.
While he hasn’t shot the ball particularly well, hitting just 22.2 percent from the field and is 1-of-5 from 3-point range, the main reason for his lack of production can be boiled down to one number: 13.3 – Kleiza’s minutes per game.
Nuggets coach George Karl met with Kleiza on Sunday to discuss the reasons his minutes are down. Karl told the native Lithuanian he wants to do a better job of getting him minutes as the series moves forward and told him to “be ready to play” tonight.
“I told him, ‘I don’t want you not to play,”‘ Karl said.
Kleiza said his lack of playing time has not been a source of frustration.
“It’s a learning experience, I wouldn’t say it’s frustrating,” Kleiza said. “Definitely my role has been reduced, but what can you do? We’re trying to win a series and I’m going to have my opportunity, so I’m not frustrated, I’m just excited to be in this position.”
Kleiza finished the regular season strong, averaging 11.6 points in 23.8 minutes per game in March and April, and was supposed to help anchor a Nuggets bench that needed to come up big in the playoffs to help keep the pressure off of stars Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson.
“I’ve just got to stay ready,” Kleiza said. “There’s definitely going to be more opportunities.”
Smith must move on
Guard J.R. Smith was hardest on himself for a few ill-advised plays in the third and fourth quarters that turned the momentum in the Nuggets’ loss to the Spurs on Saturday night.
Sunday, Karl smirked when asked about the mistake Smith made.
“Just one?” Karl said.
“J.R. and I had a jovial conversion,” Karl continued. “I think he felt really bad (Saturday) night after the game.”
Anthony said he would talk to Smith in order to help keep his spirits high.
Iverson? Not so much.
“I’m not going to console him. He’s a grown man,” Iverson said. “He’s been playing basketball all his life. It’s just a game, and that’s how you approach it. It’s not a life-and-death situation. You go out there, you have fun and do the best you can, play hard as you can, and that’s that.”
Footnotes
From 6-8 a.m. Tuesday, the Conoco gas station at the Pepsi Center will offer up to 10 gallons of gasoline at a reduced price that matches the Nuggets score tonight. So, if Denver scores 91 points, gas will be 91 cents per gallon. …
Nuggets regulars did not practice Sunday, leaving the court to those players who play reduced minutes or none at all. …
Center Marcus Camby said he’s received a lot of congratulatory calls and e-mails concerning his NBA defensive player of the year award, but added he wasn’t going to respond to many of them until the Nuggets’ season is over.
