Denver Post sports writer Benjamin Hochman posts his Nuggets Mailbag on Tuesdays during the 2009-10 NBA season. The next installment is slated for Jan. 5.
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Since 2006, I’ve been hearing the same refrain from national TV announcers about J.R. Smith: He can be a lights-out shooter and provide energy off the bench, but he needs to work on his shot selection and up his game on the defensive end. Which, now that he’s in his fourth season with the Nuggets, begs the question: How much has Earl Jr. improved?
— Chris, Denver
Chris – Over the years, everyone from George Karl to us in the media have become amateur psychologists when it comes to J.R. Smith, who for all his nicknames should be called “Rubik’s” because he’s such a tricky puzzle. (By the way, how many nicknames DOES this dude have? There’s “J.R.” to begin with, and then “J.R. Swish,” “Young Rich,” “Fonzie,” etc.)
Now, if you simply look at his scoring average (nearly 15 points per game), you’d surmise that things are peachy. If your top reserve can do that, and also has the ability to take over the game, then you’ve got yourself a nice little situation.
But we all know J.R. is a complex puzzle. I’m writing you, Chris, on Monday, and in Denver’s two past games, Karl has spoken out about Smith’s questionable shot selection.
Fact is, yes, the guy can fill the stat sheet on occasion. But he’s frighteningly inconsistent. Consider his past six shooting nights — 5-16, 0-8, 5-14, 9-14, 11-17, 2-12. Overall this season, his shooting percentage is 42.0, which is his worst since joining the Nuggets. He shot 39.3 with the Hornets in 2005-06.
And while his overall defense has improved, there are times when he lollygags in transition. And his lack of effort, along with most of the other Nuggets, was why Denver blew the game at Memphis on Sunday — and sparked Coach Karl to make his passionate quote about effort.
J.R. has been through just so much, we cannot forget that. Word within the Nuggets is that Smith, understandably so, is still dealing with emotions from this summer’s time in jail.
But Denver is going to need Smith to be a top-notch sixth man if it’s going to be a top-notch team. (And, for the record, I think the last time anyone used the phrase “top notch,” let alone twice in one sentence, was when Judge Smails congratulated Danny Noonan on winning the 1980 Caddy Tournament at Bushwood.)
When Alex English has been in town as assistant coach the past years, I expected a round of applause if not an intro from the announcer, but nothing. Does he request no acknowledgment of his presence? And even if he does, I applaud him but I don’t think he hears me from the third level. Why isn’t there thunderous recognition of one of the best Nuggets ever?
— Mat Smith, Denver
Mat – Well, I’ll tell you, I do recall a previous season when Toronto was here and, during a timeout, they showed some English footage and then showed him on the bench. The place went nuts. But I don’t recall if they did something this year.
On one hand, he comes through town every year. But on the other hand, since Toronto’s in the Eastern Conference, he’s only here once a season, so it could be nice to recognize him. I do know that Carmelo Anthony appreciates English and what he did for the Denver Nuggets and the Denver community. I spoke to both guys the day of the Raptors-Nuggets game, and the respect was mutual and genuine. (And English is the answer to a cool trivia question: Which NBA player scored the most points during the 1980s?)
Ben – Do the Nuggets and Avalanche share a locker room at the Pepsi Center or do they each have their own facilities?
— Bob, Denver
Bob – I can only imagine how bad that room would stink if the two teams shared. No, they each have separate locker rooms. The Nuggets have some of the better facilities in the NBA, considering that their spacious locker room and their practice court are both inside their arena. (Many teams have practice facilities many miles from the arena, a la the Broncos and Invesco.) If you would like to get a tour of the facilities, .
Throughout the league, many teams wear throwback uniforms. Will the Nuggets wear any this year?
— Jamal, Pittsburgh
Jamal – Hope things are going well in Pittsburgh. (I’m sure they’re a little better than one Sunday prior.)
While Denver has had throwback nights in the past, it won’t this season (Oliver from Denver, another mailbag fan, asked a similar question). The way the NBA does it these days is that before the season, the league selects a handful of teams to participate in NBA Hardwood Classic Nights. . My favorite so far has been the green Utah Jazz unis.
I love Melo’s confidence to make every shot he takes. However, I feel the next step toward a championship is for him to show his confidence in his teammates. If he has an open 3-pointer, he’s going to take it, because of his self-confidence. In that situation, I would love to see him swing the ball to Chauncey Billups or J.R. Smith, to show confidence in them.
— Adam Wagner, Fort Collins
Adam – I know some TV pundits have suggested the same thing. There is definitely a fine line between taking over a game and making sure your teammates are also involved in the game. Indeed, there are some nights where he forces his shot, but on many nights, if he’s not feeling it early, he will drive to the basket and get to the line. He is doing so with such voracity this season, it’s just a pleasure to watch. In Denver’s past few games, Anthony has had nearly as many free-throw attempts as the other team.
I hear what you’re saying, but I think if Melo keeps shooting at a commendable percentage (not just getting the points on an Allen Iverson-like amount of shots), then it’s hard to say he needs to swing the ball more. But games are 48 minutes long, and with Denver’s assists down, I will say there are times when the extra pass wouldn’t hurt.
Benjamin Hochman is in his third season as the Nuggets and NBA beat writer for The Denver Post. for the Nuggets Mailbag.
