Best. Record. Ever.

by Andrew Feinstein on Dec 15, 2008 11:36 PM MST

By beating the Mavericks in Dallas tonight, our Nuggets - at 17-7 - are off to their best start ever since joining the NBA in 1976 (through 24 games, the 1984-85 and 1987-88 Nuggets started out 15-9).

Read that again: the 2008-09 Nuggets are off to the best start in Nuggets (NBA) franchise history.

What made tonight's victory particularly interesting was the J.R. Smith vs. George Karl subplot adding another chapter. J.R. was red hot out of the gate in the fourth quarter as he guided the Nuggets back to a healthy lead (15 points I think) after they had all but relinquished it by the end of the third quarter. But then Good J.R. morphed into Bad J.R. and on three straight offensive possessions he took three awful shots, the Mavericks capitalized, and the lead shrunk to nine.

Wanting to stop the bleeding, Karl called his umpteenth timeout in the quarter (on a side note, isn't it great watching Karl actually use his timeouts this season!), presumably to take J.R. out for his recent bout of boneheaded shots. But when the team returned onto the floor after the timeout, J.R. was still among them. I was shocked. And even though he missed another shot or two, Good J.R. eventually resurfaced, rewarded Karl for putting his faith in him, made a few more shots, a few defensive stops and helped the Nuggets finish off the Mavericks for good.

Could this be the turning point in the season for the J.R. vs. Karl saga? Not quite yet. According to the Rocky Mountain News' Chris Tomasson, Karl's take on J.R.'s late game shot selection was...

"Can you talk to him about getting the bad out of his game? The crazy?’’ Karl said. "We go up and he plays great, and then he takes two (questionable) shots and I don’t know. Sometimes I think J.R. doesn’t think the other team thinks he’s doing good and they’re adjusting to him.’’

I'm not quite sure what the latter part of that quote means, but whatever Karl is doing seems to be working thus far. It's hard to argue with the franchise's best start in 32 years.

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Went to the bar solo to watch the Nuggz vs. Mavs game and paid specific attention to JR Smith's game. Seeing him get hot was remarkable, he has so many moves and can drive as well as take 3's. But towards the end of the game, it seemed like he was getting a bit over-confident and I cringed when he took a few of those ill-advised shots. I thought to myself, "I can see what Karl gets upset about." JR needs to learn how to take the shots as they come, and not to force. He is too good to be sitting on the bench, and has to learn how to stay in the game. I was thrilled that Karl left him in...hopefully a big confidence boost for JR. GO NUGGZ!!!!

--Eric

by Anonymous on Dec 16, 2008 1:06 AM MST reply actions

I think what Karl is saying in the second part of that quote is... That J.R. doesn't realize his fuck-ups are because he's a dumb shit making bad decisions, but rather because the other team is focusing their defense on him. And thus, some of those horrible shots and misses that he unfurls are not because of his intellectual inferiority, but because the other coach thinks he's such a bad ass that they have to throw different looks at him, which made it tougher for him to make those dumb shots.

I like Karl's idea of playing him long minutes in a game like this, and then benching him for three games. As that is about he ratio of good games to stupid games that JR has been keeping.

by Anonymous on Dec 16, 2008 1:46 AM MST reply actions

Part of the way he learns that is via PLAYING. If I were GK, I'd have Billups mentoring him out there on the floor too, you bet if JR gets a stupid possession Billups will let him know about it.

by Denverson on Dec 16, 2008 1:50 AM MST reply actions

Why the fuck doesn't Karl make those sentiments about the weak link. At least JR is making shots. What's Anthony Carter bringing to the table with his turnovers. Sure Melo leads the team with the most turnovers, but he makes it up with defense and scoreing the same way as Jr. But-you can't say that about the weakest, sorriest, luckiest, ANTHONY CARTER. And the thing about stats which give ATNHONY CARTER's free pass givers an argument that he's good are flawed. The +/- stat whatever the hell that is, indicates that Jr and ANTHONY CARTER were both at +7. Now what the fuck is that shit? ANTHONY CARTER came no where near the play that Jr produced. The Nuggets are playing well, however that "attack the jugular" attitude is compromised because GK doesn't give the Nuggets the best opportunity in winning. Why would you play this scrub who constantly turns over the ball, who gets lucky at shooting the "wide open" jumper SOMETIMES, and his man is driving thru him around him , and shooting over him. WTF? If this is a commitment to winning I've got ocean front property in Colorado.
GO NUGGETS! Karl get your head out of your ass and give the Nuggets the best chance at winning PROFOUNDLY.

by samiam on Dec 16, 2008 6:48 AM MST reply actions

A lot of great points here.

Last night JR was doing his thing, and then yeah, took a few bad shots. Even late in the 4th quarter with the game basically he over he jacked up a 3-pointer with 14 ticks left on the shot clock.

And the guy wonders why he never plays. We all know he's got the talent, but Christ. I wonder if he has Earl Boykins syndrome. I always contended that Earl wanted to be Carmelo Anthony so bad, he'd do everything he could to do it. And some nights, he'd get hot. But others, he'd be a black hole. Balls go in, they don't come back out.

Obviously, JR is closer to Melo than he is Boykins. But still. He needs to learn to play within himself.

by Chris C. on Dec 16, 2008 7:14 AM MST reply actions

I knew someone would have to get on here and complain about AC. Nuggets have tied their best ever start in NBA history and someone is still whining about a backup point guard who they think shouldn't play. The Nuggets have three guys in charge in the FO, about six assistant coaches and 4 advance scouts. They eat, sleep and live NBA basketball 24/7. They know what they are doing. AC is playing for a reason. A veteran presence on the floor as a backup point guard is an important role on the team. No, AC is not Melo and he is not Chauncey. Stop holding him to those standards. Understand his role on the team. And, if you are a true Nuggets fan, in the mean time, ENJOY this ride!

by Anonymous on Dec 16, 2008 8:03 AM MST reply actions

I agree with a lot of what is said, except for Samian's ripping of AC. I am a believer in the +/- stat, basically for exactly the reason AC and JR's +/- are the same. There are things yu can do on the court besides making a spectacular play that help your team win. Obviously JR is the master of the spectacular. AC's contributions are harder to see. I am a big AC fan as a backup point guard. He brings everything to the table that you want a backup point guard to bring. JR is also an ideal backup shooting guard, just because when you bring in your second team, he can provide enough scoring to carry the entire team at times. If i were coaching the team, i'm not sure i could resist the temptation of starting JR, but i'm guessing him sitting on the bench to start the game helps Nene and Carmelo establish inside scoring, which then opens it up for JR and Chauncey later on. It's also nice to have Dahntay's defensive intensity to start the game.

by John on Dec 16, 2008 8:14 AM MST reply actions

JR is indeed still erratic, and AC is still a good backup. I think the term I'd associate with AC is possibly "level headed" in comparo with JR at least.

Dahntay's playin some quality D but daaaaaaaamn that boy has some ugly offense!

by Eric K on Dec 16, 2008 8:27 AM MST reply actions

I think Karl is starting to be more fair in his assessment and treatment of J.R.

In the past, he would criticize him no matter how good a game he had and that would be the full stop. Now, he'd criticize but also recognize the good things he did.

These 24 games, George Karl has been a great coach for us... he could be arguably better than his Sonics days imo. I hope he can keep it up like the team should.

- Snake -

by Anonymous on Dec 16, 2008 8:42 AM MST reply actions

Praise for GK? fans backing up AC? What site is this and what happened to Denver Stiffs? haha, I'm liking the Nugz more everyday. I am hoping that as JR matures he will get better shot selection and lose some of his attitude. I think JR could learn much from mast splinter "You bear the weight of the world on your shoulders, it is an admirable quality but only when tempered with compassion and leadership." JR just needs to stop trying to do so much and let the game come to him, because when it does the guy can be as dangerous as Kobe or Lebron. And yes i did make a teenage mutant ninja turtles reference on a basketball blog, it's just how i roll.

by Zachm219 on Dec 16, 2008 9:57 AM MST reply actions

"Praise for GK? fans backing up AC? What site is this and what happened to Denver Stiffs?" This is a great site with some knowledgeable fans. But if you want some good complaining, just go to the online edition of the Post and read the Nuggets game recap blogs and you'll find plenty of casual "fans" and whiners like Patrick Kelly.

by Anonymous on Dec 16, 2008 10:16 AM MST reply actions

JR is the man. He had a great game last night. Give praise where praise is due. Without him that game is close at the end and we may even lose. Even with a few bad shots he still shot 11 of 17. George Karl had no choice but to leave him in. Nobody else was much of a scoring threat in the 2nd half.

As long as we keep winning the JR and George Karl fued will boil over. The media makes it a bigger issue than it is at this point.

And mad props to the Denver Nugs for their best start in team history. That is what everybody should be focused on instead of finding little stuff to bitch about.

Just sit back and enjoy the ride.

by Anonymous on Dec 16, 2008 10:22 AM MST reply actions

To the Anonymous, that doesn't want AC to be held in comparison with Melo and Chauncy. Why not? He gets starters minutes. He has NINE years in the NBA and is a Vet getting a free pass from you and the press. Complaining is not what I'm doing I'm pointing out a simple fact that if you have sharper tools in the shed why are you using the dullest ones? Some of you don't have compassion for this team and want to settle for medoracy. You're right about them being the best that they have ever been, but that's not going to do them any good when they reach the playoff's and it's best that you get your BEST players on board from the onset. AC doesnot give the Nuggets the best chance at winning. HE'S A BACKUP to a BACKUP and stop hidding behind that anonymous if you got something to say let it be known who you are. And John, you said it yourself Jr should not be coming off the bench. To all you admirers of Anthony Carter who belive that he gives the Nuggets a good chance at winning. I DISAGREE!

by samiam on Dec 16, 2008 10:58 AM MST reply actions

I'm lovin' this- & so far, so good!
I don't mind JR coming off the bench. It's what he's doing when he's ON the bench that counts. Is he watching the "flow" of the game? Is he studying the opposition, looking for attack points & other flaws to exploit? Or is he just biding his time before barging into the fray like a bull in a china shop? JR is only now learning the game, IMHO! He's subsisted on talent alone, straight outta HS. We forget how young these guys are sometimes. What seperates the GREAT ones is their overall understanding of the game. Some "get it" right away (Bird, Magic, Duncan et al)- whereas MOST players need some fine-tuning. Does anyone remember that even Jordan- "The Greatest of All Time", needed several years to adapt his game & win a title? JR has great talent, as last nite illustrated. But we all know thats not enough. He's getting force-fed some basketball IQ, whether he likes it or not! On this one, I'll defer to GK. And btw- I think I just threw up in my mouth saying that!:)

by KaiserSoze on Dec 16, 2008 11:59 AM MST reply actions

Oh, & lets not get it twisted- I'm in no way, shape, or form comparing JR to MJ!

by KaiserSoze on Dec 16, 2008 12:42 PM MST reply actions

I'd like to see AC's turnovers come down a bit. Some of his pass attempts give me the same cringe look as JR's shots.

by viracocha303 on Dec 16, 2008 4:53 PM MST reply actions

OK, can someone please point out to me where the "bad JR" was in that game? Because the way I see it, if you score as many points as an entire team in one quarter as well as play good defense there is no way you can be labeled "bad". Lets get real here, JR isn't MJ, he is an average NBA player and it is within his DNA to take some ill advised shots, just like Melo, yet JR is the one who always gets grilled. I am pretty fed up with Karl and his whole "good/bad" bullshit. The guy basically won you the game and you are still on his case. What else does he have to do to prove himself worthy of a starting position? And on a different note, why all the AC hate? I hear it every time. Get over it, the dude is a legit backup and he does nothing to win or lose us the game, get off his case too. And what the hell is up with these crazy linups we are still seeing? Why doesn't Balkman get consistant minutes? And why is Atkins not getting playing time? I would like some of these questions to be answered because we, as fans deserve the right to know, but with Karl nothing is ever as it seems. Still, I can't complain, we are doing great, I am loving it right now.

by Goldennugget on Dec 16, 2008 5:18 PM MST reply actions

I don't mind AC as a backup. But that means he only goes on to give Billups a rest. He should NOT be on the floor at the same time, because he isn't good enough and it takes away minutes from JR.

by Julian from Australia on Dec 16, 2008 6:42 PM MST reply actions

Plus it brings us back to that too-small backcourt which I though we were finished with after moving AI.

by Julian from Australia on Dec 16, 2008 6:46 PM MST reply actions

Atkins isn't getting playing time because he sucks my balls.

by Anonymous on Dec 16, 2008 8:23 PM MST reply actions

Comments For This Post Are Closed

STIFF LIST (as of 4/26 by Andrew Feinstein)

1. METTA WORLD PEACE

Metta resorted back to Ron Ron last Sunday by clubbing James Hardenwith an "inadvertent celebratory elbow", landing him a 7-game suspension. Apparently, changing his name didn't prevent NBA commissioner David Stern from overlooking Metta's past behavior problems.

2. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS

The 'Cats are on the verge of securing the worst winning percentage in NBA history. Given that the guy who runs the team - Michael Jordan - had previously drafted Kwame Brown and Adam Morrison, should this really be a shock?

3. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
The team that was supposedly built to overcome the lockout-shortened season managed to lose 7 of its last 14 games, ceding the Western Conference's 1-seed to the Spurs in the process. Their reward might be a first round matchup with defending champion Dallas.

4. BILLY HUNTER AND DEREK FISHER

With report after report coming out about NBPA union head Hunter's shady, nepotistic dealings and questions arising about Fisher's own role in dealing with NBA owners behind Hunter's back during the lockout, this off-the-court scandal could prove to be more exciting than the playoffs themselves!

5. STEVE NASH AND THE PHOENIX SUNS
The Suns are on this list for squandering the last few great seasons from Nash. Nash is on this list for his stupidly stubborn loyalty to a franchise as awful as the Suns.