OT: Linas Kleiza drops 41 and 9

[swede]

That trade is turning out to be atleast pretty even.. discuss?

[AKBlazerFan]

Trade Roy for him ASAP!!!

[Pinot love]

I've been big on Kleiza as a fantasy sleeper since mid-season last year, but haven't been right, yet. Based on AI's comments I don't think AI wants him to succeed, therefore he won't be much more than an occasional blip on the radar so long as his with Iverson. However, he has the potential to be...mini Dirk? He's not quick enough for that though

[L-Burna89]

I've been big on Kleiza as a fantasy sleeper since mid-season last year, but haven't been right, yet. Based on AI's comments I don't think AI wants him to succeed, therefore he won't be much more than an occasional blip on the radar so long as his with Iverson. However, he has the potential to be...mini Dirk? He's not quick enough for that though

Wow are you unbelievably off with this post.

[Wizenheimer]

-= original quote snipped =-




Wow are you unbelievably off with this post.

explain?

[BlackMamba]

linas kleiza has been a pretty sold and consistent 6th man.

plus he's real versatile. he can shoot, hustles, rebounds, and can play 2-3 positions.

[Milkdud]

Not to take anything away from Kleiza's great game because he shot great, but I think part of it is a reflection of Utah piss poor D. Alot of the highlights I saw the shots he was getting were WIDE open, you still gotta put them down but getting some easy buckets is a great way to start getting hot.

[Billy]

That Jack for Kleiza trade looked pretty good for about a year and a half. He's certainly closed the gap (or what was left of it).

[Yadadimean]

Kleiza has had a couple big games and thats it. I'm sure 75% of the league could do that every now and again if they melo and ai to draw the d away from them

[SabasRevenge!]

I really like Kleiza's combination of size and range. He's seemed to me like a player who can be an effective starter in the NBA. I may be wrong, but I recall him being mentioned as a 4 on draft day '05; he plays a lot more like a 3 to me.

I don't regret that trade at all because I like what Jack has given us and he's been the right guy for us over the past 2 1/2 years. Maybe Kleiza will become an above average scoring 3, but I'm happy with what we've got in Outlaw, Webster, and JJ.

[mojomarc]

I always liked Kleiza, and it's nice to see him coming around like this. Too bad he has to do it on the Nuggets, since I am really developing a strong dislike for them.

[Spykes]

I've been big on Kleiza as a fantasy sleeper since mid-season last year, but haven't been right, yet. Based on AI's comments I don't think AI wants him to succeed, therefore he won't be much more than an occasional blip on the radar so long as his with Iverson. However, he has the potential to be...mini Dirk? He's not quick enough for that though

What were AI's comments?

[Pinot love]

What were AI's comments?

My statement needs to be qualified. Not only based on his comments, but how I feel very AI as a controlling, somewhat selfish player who thinks the highest of himself. It's completely judgmental, opinionated and based on tone and body language than text. I'd expect AI fans to disagree or disregard it. It's my opinion that AI isn't going to let another player consistently trump him on his own team.

"He got a couple of easy ones, and once you get a couple of layups, the basket looks bigger," said Iverson, who had 28 points. "He played a great game, and hopefully he can continue to play that way."

[2poor]

How the heck do you see that as AI being negative? He spoke the truth. The key to a lot of scoring outbursts (from all players) are easy buckets, getting to the line, and just plain beating the other team down the floor. Exactly what Kleiza did all night long.

[Pinot love]

How the heck do you see that as AI being negative? He spoke the truth. The key to a lot of scoring outbursts (from all players) are easy buckets, getting to the line, and just plain beating the other team down the floor. Exactly what Kleiza did all night long.

I think Kleiza is a good player whose potential is not being allowed to be reached due to Denver's heavy use of AI and Melo. I don't fault Denver for using AI because they have him, but I do fault them for bring him there, assuming their intent was to win and the bottom line wasn't to tell tickets and jerseys. I would never bring a player like AI to my team if I wanted to win. I just don't like how AI plays the game. He's no Zach Randolph, but he is that type of player. The list of players I'd take over AI would probably be shockingly long to you. Based on their careers Sam Cassell might be a good example of one of these players.

[2poor]

Well I mean, not liking a player is your business. But don't try to negatively spin things just because you don't like him.

[Pinot love]

Well I mean, not liking a player is your business. But don't try to negatively spin things just because you don't like him.

I have a ton of respect for the heart AI injects to the game, he's a true warrior, but not a professional that plays winning basketball.

[Twith]

I just wrote a facebook note about how crazy this game was.

Observe:

So check out this box score from the Nuggets - Jazz game from Jan. 17th.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=280117007

A few things of interest from this.

1. Linas Kleiza scored FORTY ONE. Any Blazer fan remembers drafting this guy then trading him away on draft day. He's averaging 11 per game this year, good for third on the team behind Carmelo and AI. He's always been a decent scorer, but never showed that he could score 41 on anybody. For reference, in January his scoring has gone, 0, 17, 9, 5, 18, 5, 5, 41.

2. Marcus Camby got a double-double. Big deal, right? How about 8 points, 24 rebounds and 11 blocks? How often do you see a guy 2 points away from a "dirty triple?" For reference, Camby has 2 triple doubles in his career, both of them "dirty triples" (points-rebounds-blocks).

3. All the game highs were really high.
Points - 41
Rebounds - 24
Assists - 12
Steals - 4
Blocks - 11

4. Both teams shot exactly 41-92 from the field.

5. Carmelo had 2 rebounds in 38 minutes. Yeah, Camby gobbled them all up, but he was outrebounded by the likes of Ronnie Brewer (in 12 minutes), Kyle Korver Kutcher (25 minutes), Jarron Collins (in 8 minutes), Matt Harpring (in 18 minutes) and was matched by 6-2 Ronnie Price in 6 minutes.

6. This game had players with the first names: Andrei, Mehmet, two Ronnies, Carmelo, Linas, Eduardo, Yakhouba, and Von.

7. Finally, Nene Hilario. DNP - TUMOR SURGERY

[Papercut]

Not to take anything away from Kleiza's great game because he shot great, but I think part of it is a reflection of Utah piss poor D. Alot of the highlights I saw the shots he was getting were WIDE open, you still gotta put them down but getting some easy buckets is a great way to start getting hot.

That's somewhat true, but 41 is 41. I watched the whole game, and Utah tried several different players on Kleiza. He just out-hustled and out-played whoever they put on him. He was running the floor well, had some nice baseline drives, and his shot was on. I think it was just a matter of him being extremely aggressive and getting some extra burn with K-Mart out. Not something I expect he can replicate very often, but he had a great game.

[Bustabucket]

D-miles dropped like 47 on the nuggets a few years back. He is not exactly a star now.

Kleiza is a good roleplayer, and is showing he can be a good player. I would still take Jack over him and Ricky Sanchez however.