The Linas Kleiza Love Affair Chronicles

[MELO4MVP]

-= original quote snipped =-





oh my god... Is there any player in the league who doesn't? At least he doesn't make you scream like Martin 'stop dribling, please," or Camby 'don't shoot it, please" or JR "get the f*ck out of the line-up."

JR is so much better than LK it ain't even funny. JR also is doing everything he can to stay on the court such as never giving up on the defensive end (of late). Although his ballhandling isn't the best, he finds ways to get to the basket and he`s good at setting up teammates. It seems like we're at our best when JR is at point.

Kmart been nothing, but special this year. My only problem is him taking jumpers and missing freethrows.

[noone]

he never passes up a good shot to get a great shot. whether that's a product of his environment or not, i'm not sure....but he hasn't shown to be unselfish. from what i see...when he's out there, he's thinking shot first on everything. just because you aren't capable of dribbling more than twice to get yourself a shot doesn't make you unselfish.

I wouldn't mind Kleiza looking for his shot as much as he does if Karl actually ran plays for him. I've watched quite a few Jazz games since Korver has arrived there because he's one of my favorite plays and he's ALWAYS looking for shot. Hollering for the ball when he's open. But the team also runs great plays to get him open at the 3 and from 16-18 feet out. Kleiza isn't half the pure shooter Korver is, but I think he could strive in that kind of role just like Korver. Running through screens especially to get open midrange jumpers.

He's a shooter, run some damn plays for him to get him good lucks instead of leaving him in the corner waiting for kick outs. Another dimension he could add to his game, instead of always driving to the basket when his driver is too close to him, take one dribble up and take a 20 foot jump shot.

One plays that stood out to me last game was the ending of the first quarter. Someone drove (I believe Iverson) and kicked it out to an open Camby in the corner for 3. Two guys rotated to him and he still jacked up a contested 3 even when he had Kleiza WIDE open at the wing for 3. Iverson and Melo have gotten much better at moving the ball as soon as they get into the offense. Making that extra pass is going to start from the role players. They find themselves open and take a good shot instead of moving it one or two more times for an even better shot.

[noone]

Almost famous,

I feel what you're saying and agree with that logic too, but imo Nene is the third most important player on this team after Iverson and Melo. This team needs a post defender and back to the basket player more than anything. They need a big man that can be more effective in the pick and roll. Nene brings all that. Camby and Martin get abused by big men with post games. Defending the Duncans, Amares, Shaqs, Bynums in the playoffs is much more important than the Kobes and Ginobilis.

[pickaxe]

There are times when he sits on the perimeter and when it's his turn to shoot he keeps passing it a little too long. He can be unselfish to a fault.

that's the first time i've ever seen kleiza and unselfishness mentioned in the same sentence.
seriously?
he never passes up a good shot to get a great shot. whether that's a product of his environment or not, i'm not sure....but he hasn't shown to be unselfish. from what i see...when he's out there, he's thinking shot first on everything. just because you aren't capable of dribbling more than twice to get yourself a shot doesn't make you unselfish. (exampe: reggie evans can't dribble...and i think he's incredibly selfish in most aspects of the game)

and if he's just there to hit 3's...he's done a pretty poor job of it. 34% is below the league average, and he's not a consistent threat (i'd argue even less consistent than jr).

The times I am mentioning are when there are just 6-7 seconds left on the clock and no one has a better shot. What you're saying is also true.

It shows up on games where he completely disappears, so the games where he jacks up tons of shots we're probably not going to see it.

[corona]

i don't think that's unselfishness.
i think that's lack of confidence.
and that's not good either.

[goldenkarrrlll]

It's not even about Artest, it is about looking at this team and saying they need to get better. Isn't that the point of the Iverson trade, to compete for a championship and not a playoff berth. Why would you paint a house you are never going to live in or buy a drink for a girl you have no intention on getting to know or take home. We couldve gotten something at the 2 guard or pg position-someone who can replace Anthony Carter!!! Even Mike Bibby would have been nice, there is also Delonte West, even Larry Frickin Hughes. Point being I am not trying to attack Kleiza personally but the organization's misjudgment for turning him into an excuse for us not getting better. It is really frustrating to watch games like tonight where the team has no direction on offense and confusion on defense. Sorry but that falls on the coach as well as the players for not making their teammates better, but overall it falls on mgmt for not making the right decisions with this franchise.

[eathy]

Kleiza is pathetic.

I dont care about his injury, if u're hurt, then don't play because u're only hurting the team.

There were some very good players we could've gotten from him, and now his value would have plummeted down significantly.