Game 44: Charlotte Bobcats (21-21) @ Denver Nuggets (29-14)

[MHZ]

I missed the ejection, what happened there?

Kind of a bizarre game. Any game Malik Allen sees real minutes has the feeling of a D-League game, and this was no exception. If Charlotte was worth a crap, they should have made this a game. No Melo, no K-Mart for most of the game, no Birdman for most of the second half, Lawson did nothing, Nene missed 200 layups, JR was typical 09-10 JR, and they get blown out. Odd. I'll take it though. Hopefully Melo and Birdman are good to go Wednesday. Schedule is about to get a bit tougher - three very losable games coming up if Denver doesn't come to play.

[eathy]

First technical was for arguing a call. That T was fair.

Second technical was for clapping at the FT miss. Nuggets should protest that one.

[KAVK]

A starter quality player is backing up a role quality player.

I know now what exactly J.R. is missing... he's missing Arron Afflalo's approach to the game. If J.R. had it, I truly believe he'd be at least at the second tier superstar level aka Chris Bosh, Vince Carter, etc. Too bad he don't.

By the way that turnaround jumpshot off the post by J.R. with at 9:22 mark at fourth quarter was gorgeous. I never fail to wonder why why why in the world he never develops it. He could have a game as complete as Kobe if he develops it. Too bad he don't.

Agree!

What could be the solution for him?

At this point i am tired of J.R being all sorts of weirdo out there. It may have to do with him not starting this year after DJ's departure. I am with keeping AA in starting line over J.R not because what he is going through because of his scoring punch that everyone expected but mostly disappointed thus far this year. Now i happen to have this though of starting J.R and get that silly I MUST START thought out of his mind and see how he reacts. Clearly he is not Manu type of player understands starting does not matter when it comes to the team effort for wins or still young and immature for the concept. I hate to change what is working but AA might have a much grown up mind than J.R at this point of time that could help. IMO...

[SnakefromHell]

^Personally I like having J.R. off the bench, because if we replace him with Afflalo, our bench becomes punchless, scoring wise. Although it's rare in 09-10 season, at least there's still this threat no. 5 is going to go off for three point party it puts opposing team's psyche off balance a little bit.

And too much scoring in the starting lineup with J.R. starting won't do us good either. What we need is exactly what Afflalo is giving us lately, the consistent outside shooting and tough defense. With Melo, Nene, and Billups taking care of the scoring, Afflalo's defense and outside shooting adds something a much needed different element... like adding pepper in addition to the salt, rather than more salt.

As Afflalo becomes more and more consistent and comfortable with the outside shot, as his role gets very clear, I expect the defense against us to spread more and more... making penetration easier for Melo, Billups and Nene to operate inside. Everyone becomes effective when someone is consistently hitting outside shots and when we get that rep out that a player is dangerous from outside like Spurs used to have with Bruce Bowen... I really think as good as J.R. is with his three pt shooting, opposing teams do not fear him as much as when teams used to fear the Spurs with Bruce Bowen's outside shooting. Now we're getting that from AA. But as a substitute player, J.R.'s impact will still be felt by opposing teams more than it would be when he's a starter.


But stranger things have happened, maybe starting might be the solution to J.R.'s struggles. Individually for him, that may be the case, but I still don't think it's for the good of the team. As a headcase as he is, J.R. is extremely unselfish and he doesn't care about his stats (unlike other young headcases). Gotta give it to him.

[pickaxe]

I think punishment or the threat of punishment for JR is too much for the kid to handle and play with a good attitude out there. He's coachable but I think it's more of an encouragement approach than a "You better do this or this"

JR is doing a lot of little things well even in his bad games.....things that are helping this team win. I think if people stress those things more it would help him develop.

Notice the rebounding with 2 bigs down? He helped there. He got into passing lanes, covered guys up on defense.