JR Smith - 60pts vs Qindago - our offensive answer?

[blue steel]

Maybe we need JR back so Andre Miller isn't attempting all our game winning/losing shots?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZHOK0mI ... ture=share

I love this Nuggets team post-Melo, but we aren't going to be any better the Nash-lead Suns teams that could never win the big game. If Galo doesn't turn into our go-to player, this team just wont be successful in close game scenarios. Sad but true.

[Ice32]

f Galo doesn't turn into our go-to player, this team just wont be successful in close game scenarios. Sad but true.

Denver have had 4 losses this year by 4 points or less - Lakers, Spurs, Clippers, Grizzlies.

With under a minute to go in each loss, the below Denver players shot the following:

vs Lakers - Big Al was 0/2, Gallo was 0/2
vs Spurs - Dre was 0/2, Gallo was 1/1 and 3/4 FTs, AAA was 1/1
vs Clippers - Big Al was 0/2, Nene was 1/1, Rudy was 0/1
vs Grizzlies - Dre was 0/1, Rudy was 0/1

So Big Al is 0/4, Dre is 0/3, Rudy is 0/2, AAA is 1/1, Nene is 1/1 and Gallo is 1/3.

Whats interesting is that Ty Lawson did not take a shot is crunch time in these 4 games and was on the court. He has the ability to hit threes, drive to the lane or shoot off a screen.

We have the players that are able to take and make shots, maybe its Coach Karl that has the wrong plays drawn up?

[blue steel]

Would you really want to rely on Ty to hit game winning shots? He's a good player, but I don't see him filling that role successfully especially with his size. I would rather see him take that shot than Miller though, and I'm sure we all would.

Our closest wins were by 4 points (2x) and 5 points (1x). All away against mediocre teams (Washington, NY, and Philly), all four losses were against quality teams. That's a red flag.

And I doubt anyone here was watching the end of last night's game against Memphis thinking we had a good chance to pull it out on the offensive end. We were totally stagnant, no one wanted to take over besides Andre...so he did, and we lost. That's going to be an issue unless Gallo becomes our guy. As for JR, he has the capability for sure but consistency has never been his forte.

[Ice32]

I agree with what your saying...I don't think Ty is 'the guy' yet, but surely he's capable of making plays happen on the offensive end with under a minute to go - he's the quickest guy on the court and is a decent FT shooter.

I think its obvious against better teams, Denver struggle to decide who needs to step up and make the big plays. Last night Gallo was on the bench, Dre's shot was rushed and rolled out, Rudy should not have taken that desperation three, Afflalo just threw it away (why didn't he shoot??)

I don't think JR is the answer now, I think Karl is happy with what we have. After 21 games, no one would have picked Denver to be 14-7, but the next stretch of games is important. Minutes wise, Karl needs to come up with a 9 man rotation and stick to it. Birdman is on the outta now, Koufos wont get much time unless Nene/Mozzy are in foul trouble/injured. If anything Dre needs to play fewer minutes and Afflalo needs to start playing better.

[KAVK]

When game comes down the stretch guys are becoming hesitant & nervous. Karl is using Miller because he is been pretty calm in those situations. Guys like Gallo, Ty, Al, AAA needs to have a confidence to take the shot at the end of the close games mentally.

[dis4ryan]

Fan favorite. Pure scorer. We need him back. Is he automatically a Nugget when his contract in China runs out or is he free to sign wherever he wants? Sorry I know this has been answered before but can't find the thread. Thnx.

[KAVK]

Fan favorite. Pure scorer. We need him back. Is he automatically a Nugget when his contract in China runs out or is he free to sign wherever he wants? Sorry I know this has been answered before but can't find the thread. Thnx.

He is a unrestricted free agent. There is almost to a 0 chance that he will be a Nugget when he is done in China.

[The Rebel]

I loved Jr's game on the court, especially after the melo deal. but you are rewriting history if you are pretending that he is a go to guy in the clutch. the only time I did not like the ball in JR's hands were when the score was within a couple of points and less then 2 minutes on the clock. It was either a bad brick or turnover every time I can remember.

That being said I would love to have JR wearing a Nugget uniform this year, but I don't see it happening, that shipped probably sailed right around the time they gave karl an extension.

[almost famous]

I would love to have JR back, but I think the Nuggets have had enough of him. The feeling is probably mutual.