Denver Post sports writer Benjamin Hochman posts his Nuggets Mailbag every Wednesday during the 2007-08 NBA season on DenverPost.com.
To drop a Nuggets- or NBA-related question into the Nuggets Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
When will George Karl stop blasting J.R. Smith and start coaching him? Last time I checked, it is his job to make J.R. Smith understand the game and become a good player. With Smith having big games like the one he had against Chicago, George needs to check the ego and mind games and get to coaching!
— Chad, Philadelphia
Chad – Well, Karl and his staff do spend ample time working with Smith on his technique, trying to enhance his education of the game. Of course, Smith’s not the easiest pupil.
J.R. is like Maverick in “Top Gun.” He’s prodigiously talented, sometimes to a fault, because he plays like his talent alone will carry him to greatness. He’s a little rebellious and defiant, too.
But the kid has been playing marvelously in March. He said after Monday’s game in San Antonio that his confidence is brimming, thanks to his teammates’ confidence in him. In the past five games, he averaged 17.0 points per game, and he can go on shooting streaks like he’s “on fire” on the video game “NBA Jam.”
He is a simmering player. After every physical play he’s involved in, he erupts – either with enthusiasm after a shot or with anger after a non-foul call.
And he’s shaky at times. He’ll make the greatest play you’ve seen all week, and then on the next possession, he’ll make a turnover on the inbounds pass (this happened Monday at San Antonio).
J.R. has had difficulty connecting with coaches before. Coincidentally, I was one of the reporters covering the New Orleans Hornets when Smith and coach Byron Scott butted heads. Karl has tried different strategies with Smith. The whole thing is a work-in-progress. But for Smith, it seems that having guys like Allen Iverson in his corner, motivating him to play through his growing pains, has helped ol’ Maverick.
I noticed that during L.A. Lakers games and also N.Y. Rangers games, the arena turns the lights down low around the audience and keeps the lights high on the court and ice. To me this creates a better atmosphere to watch the game. The players are easier to keep track of, less audience distraction, instilling an impression of more intense action. And the court and ice seem to pop on to an HDTV. Why don’t all NBA and NHL arenas do the same? The Nugs and Avs should do this at the Pepsi Center.
— Jonathan, Lakewood
Jonathan – I hear ya. It does look pretty cool when you watch the Lakers games on TV. But I also think there’s something to be said about a community atmosphere at Nuggets games. The Nuggets do a pretty good job at incorporating their mascot and their in-game entertainment to connect the fans. They make it fun to be at the games. I know, I know – the GAME itself should make it fun to be at the games. But these days, an NBA game is like a circus. I think if they change the atmosphere at the arena – for the worse. That’s just my opinion. And – the Lakers have excellent attendance. The Nuggets have some pretty good showings, but they’re still trying to entice fans to come out to Pepsi Center. Whereas the Lakers have the luxury to experiment with this lights thing, I think the Nuggets need to keep the lights on, enhancing the community experience, until the community is embedded.
As an out-of-state fan of the Nuggets, I don’t catch many games. From what I have been able watch, it seems there is absolutely zero team cohesion. I feel some (if not most) of the blame has to fall on George Karl. So if the Nuggets don’t make the playoffs (or do and get beat in the first round), do you think Karl will be fired?
— Corbin, Berkeley, Calif.
Corbin – No. A lot of people ask this question. I know this is a hot debate. But I cannot see them firing someone under a hefty contract who led the team to double-digit wins over the .500 mark. Yes, it is infuriating to everyone involved that this excellent record (the fourth-best start in franchise history) still isn’t a lock for the playoffs. While I do think there are questions that need to be answered, I don’t think the ultimate answer is firing the coach.
Ben – I agree with the Nuggets’ choice to keep Linas Kleiza rather than trade for Ron Artest. However, I do think the Nuggets defense is going to be the deciding factor in whether or not they appear in the postseason. Do you agree?
— Ffinatic, Thornton
Ffinatic – No question. Defensive intensity and consistency will determine whether the Nuggets even make the playoffs – and if they’re in the playoffs, how far they go. We have been singing this song all year. Look at some of Denver’s best wins of the season. The common thread is defense. The Nuggets have the ability to play good defense in stretches. They just have to understand that defense isn’t a light-switch thing. You can climb out of holes against Charlotte, but not against playoff teams.
What do you think the Nuggets need to do in order to guarantee a playoff spot? How many games are must wins for us?
— Kayla O., Denver
Kayla – To guarantee a playoff spot, the Nuggets need to go on a run. Win a chunk of games in a row and become the hunted, not the hunter. In this zany season where so many teams are great, it’s tough to find a stretch on the schedule where you can get this ball rolling. But maybe it starts this week – three games at Pepsi Center, where the Nuggets have played great.
After that, Denver goes on a five-game road trip, which is hard to gauge how easy or hard it will be. Of course, the Detroit game will be a challenge, considering it’s against a title contender at the title contender’s arena. After that, the Nuggets play one of the more emotional games of the season. Iverson returns to Philadelphia for the first game there as an opponent. Even if you lose the Pistons game, if you win the three homes games and the Philly game, too, that’s four out of your last five. Then Denver plays at New Jersey, Toronto and Memphis. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say they can win two of those three. This won’t be easy – but now is the time for Denver to make its move.
Benjamin Hochman covers the Nuggets for The Denver Post. To drop a question into his Nuggets Mailbag, or visit DenverPost.com’s .
