Denver Post sports writer Benjamin Hochman posts his Nuggets Mailbag on Tuesdays during the 2009-10 NBA season.
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Hey, Ben. The Nuggets obviously struggled without Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups, but how about the way Kenyon Martin played in their absence? His game seemed really complete, offensively and defensively. Why don’t we see that kind of intensity all the time?
— Rich, Boston
Rich – Hope things are awesome in Boston. I always have fun there, though one time at a bar this mailman talked my ear off.
You bring up an exciting topic around these parts — K-Mart. His play has been encouraging of late. He is 20th in the league with 9.2 rebounds per game, which is the second-highest average of the power forward’s career. And he’s been flirting with double-doubles almost every game the past month.
As for his intensity, I think perpetually he’s one of the more intense players on the Nuggets. But offensively, he just doesn’t always get the touches when Melo/Chauncey are in. And since his shooting isn’t always on, he’s not one of those guys who’s going to get in a streak from the outside.
I asked Nuggets coach George Karl about Kenyon, and he said that with everyone healthy, he’d like to see “more balance.”
Said Karl: “Kenyon’s effectiveness and quarterbacking more possessions by catching the ball in the paint and around the basket is an upgrade, and his offensive rebounding is an upgrade. I can’t lose that — we might not get the amount, but the effectiveness needs to be in our personality.”
And from an opposing team’s perspective, Hornets coach Jeff Bower said: “I think he’s a player that sees how their team is playing well and he’s an important part of that, his ability to rebound and defend is something that makes them a difficult team to prepare for.”
Dear Ben – I have always been a staunch supporter of J.R. Smith. I felt he could overcome his maturity and basketball IQ issues to become one of the most dangerous players in the league. However, after yet another season of dumb turnovers and now surprisingly bad shooting, I feel the only thing in danger should be his status as a Nugget. Have you heard his name used in any possible trade scenarios? As Bill Simmons pointed out, a trade for Shane Battier on the Rockets could help both teams and seams feasible.
— John Host, Boulder
Josh – Well, you picked a good week to e-mail our mailbag about frustrations with J.R. As both myself and columnist Dave Krieger have written, J.R. is becoming a problem with the team, due to both his play and his mentality. Give coach George Karl credit for being candid about Smith, explaining to the media (and thus, the fans) all the things J.R. needs to work on: turnovers, hustle, transition defense — to name a few.
At this time of year, the Nuggets front office spends numerous hours on the phone, talking trade possibilities with teams. Nothing is imminent with J.R. right now, but you/Bill make a good point about Battier. Houston could use the offense, and Denver’s offense is so potent right now, one wonders if a defensive-lockdown guy like Battier would be more valuable (along with his 8.3 points per game) than Smith?
Benjamin – If I missed it I apologize, but why hasn’t there been much discussion on the book “Personal Foul” by ex-referee Tim Donaghy? Big Brother is always watching, but I believe the accusations in the book regarding bias in the NBA should merit SOME attention. What’s up with that?
— Roger, Centennial
Roger – You make a pretty good point. Indeed, the disgraced refs brought up some interesting points in his book. I think some folks don’t necessarily believe everything out of Donaghy’s mouth, so that’s probably why some people kind of just dismiss him. But you’re right — he brought up some fascinating facets to officiating. Like I wrote on : Disgraced NBA official Tim Donaghy told “60 Minutes” that some refs conspired against certain players, notably Allen Iverson, who had previously disrespected refs.
Whether or not he’s telling the truth, no one will ever know for sure. But let’s say his stuff about conspiring to mess with a player is true. Well, if that’s the case, it could/should open the eyes of the refs who had been a part of that. Maybe they’ll be embarrassed and scared to do it again (because of potential repercussions or snitches among them).
And maybe they’ll see the error of their ways. Regardless, this could help the game of basketball, enhancing fairness and the purity of the game through dialogue sparked by, funny enough, the game’s most evil rogue.
Why not bring Linas Kleiza back? He’s big, he knows the team and the system, and the team knows him?
— Rob Bridges, Durango
Rob – What’s up? Hope things are dandy in Durango.
Indeed, Denver has the NBA rights to Kleiza, but he is under contract with the team Olympiacos (or Olympiakos, depending on the spelling). And he signed this summer for a two-year deal totaling $12.2 million for this season, which is nearly double what he would have made in the National Basketball Association. In other words, I don’t think L.K. is going to tear up his contract any time soon.
As for the former reserve’s play, .
Benjamin: When you list the season’s composite stats for the Nuggets, why not include the number of turnovers, fouls and steals? This would tell more about each player’s contributions.
— Dave Muller
Dave – Thanks for writing the mailbag. And check this out — Dave actually sent this letter via the actual U.S Mail (which, apparently, still exists). Good points, Dave, indeed. In a New York Times article, Houston’s general manager said last season: “Someone created the box score, and he should be shot.”
Players and fans pay so much attention to the sexy box-score stats — points, rebounds, assists — that some key facets of the game are overlooked. I did earlier this season, and Dean broke down the importance of other stats — turnovers per possession, offensive rebounding percentage, free throws made per field goals attempted and effective field-goal percentage (which gives 50 percent more credit to 3-point shots than normal field-goal percentage).
As for the stats you bring up, I think turnovers are very telling/underrated. We get giddy sometimes about plump assist totals, but we overlook a dude’s turnovers. It’s a body of work that should be analyzed and dissected, as you and Oliver both know.
Benjamin Hochman is in his third season as the Nuggets and NBA beat writer for The Denver Post. for the Nuggets Mailbag.
