J.R. Smith joins Stephon Marbury in being as candid about his coach as possible...
by Andrew Feinstein on Dec 1, 2008 10:26 AM MST
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With Stephon Marbury getting all the attention in NBA circles for his candid comments about his soon-to-be-ex-coach Mike D'Antoni and soon-to-be-ex-teammates, J.R. Smith's recent comments about his relationship with George Karl will likely get overlooked.Not here, though, of course.
According to the Rocky Mountain News' Chris Tomasson, Smith said about his head coach: "We never talk. . .You never want to not even talk to your coach." And a few other notable quotes, as well.
With the Nuggets season going so well thanks to Karl and his players renewed efforts, I can only hope this whole Karl vs. J.R. thing gets resolved soon because it's getting ridiculous.
At the Hornets game last Thursday night, I remember looking at our lineup of Smith, Chauncey Billups, Carmelo Anthony, Kenyon Martin and Nene and saying to my brother: "name another starting five in the league that would be as talented as this one". You really can't.
Karl and Smith both need to put their egos aside and figure this out. Smith just might be that X factor that turns a good season into a potentially magical one. But we'll never know until he and his coach are on the same page, and Smith is getting consistent playing time.
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I also caught an old Marv Albert Show featuring George Karl on NBA TV last week, and one of the more memorable Georgies was his referring to his relations with Ray Allen as possibly the worst thing in his coaching history. God forbid he squashes what Doug Collins referred to as an "electrifying talent" in J.R. Smith.
by John S on Dec 1, 2008 11:38 AM MST reply actions
by markp on Dec 1, 2008 11:45 AM MST reply actions
It seems like they have the will to do it,so they probably will.
PS: Melo says he will play tomorrow against Raptors, I hope so!!!
by Lucas Navarrete on Dec 1, 2008 1:21 PM MST reply actions
by Goldennugget on Dec 1, 2008 2:15 PM MST reply actions
by Riso on Dec 1, 2008 4:09 PM MST reply actions
by am on Dec 1, 2008 4:11 PM MST reply actions
"he knows Karl hates him and he isn't going to respect him until Karl show some respect back"
That is his EGO right there lol. Someone's gotta be the man and step up. I'm sure if JR goes and apologizes and promises more professionalism and maturity, George wont turn him away.
But if in the end we have to choose between JR and GK, you all know my choice.
Oh and thanks for stealing my 'JR is the X-Factor' line Drew! lol
by andrew fisher on Dec 1, 2008 5:45 PM MST reply actions
by KaiserSoze on Dec 1, 2008 5:54 PM MST reply actions
"J.R. is a good-bad player, and we’re trying to take the bad out and magnify the good,'’ Karl said. "For me, there’s, as the game goes on, there’s a lot of ways I can try to win them. And consistency, defense and a positive, good attitude would keep him on the court. But I don’t think he gives us always those three every night we play. Some nights I’ll tolerate his bad and some nights I’m probably going to go someplace else.'’
"We never talk,'’ Smith said. "I wish (the two could). You never want to not even talk to your coach. It’s been like that since I got here… (Karl) and I have been (battling) for a couple of years, but hopefully we’ll kiss and make up soon.'’
I think listenting to Karl talk is one of the more painfull things to do in life. He always has these stupid wierd things he says that don't make sense like "J.R. is a good-bad player, and we’re trying to take the bad out and magnify the good"! Seriously WTF!? What is this supposed to mean? Anyways here are some other comments from slamonline I thought were interesting:
"How can you even look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself that you’re a good coach when one of your main players acknowledges that he has NO RELATION with you? Isn’t that a huge part of your job description?!"
"Geaorge Karl is a petulent old man with a bad attitude and coaching has passed him by"
"I’ve never met Karl. But, I’ve watched him behave over the years and he just seems unhappy when he’s coaching. Maybe it’s the players, maybe it’s his own life, but he doesn’t seem to take joy in what he’s doing. He looks pained.
And, I’m already on record as saying that I have a problem with coaches who use the media to berate and demean their players."
"End of the Day, Karl is the boss. JR needs to suck it up, improve his bball IQ and do more of the little things (i.e. anything other than jack up 3’s). Guy has tremendous talent thats not being used."
"George Karl would happily sit and talk basketball for hours. He’s a guy who’s given his life to the game. He played for Dean Smith, played for the Spurs, coached the Bucks to the Eastern Conference Finals and the Sonics to the Finals. Gary Payton gives him a tremendous amount of credit. Call me crazy, but it seems like J.R. would benefit from listening to him, even if he has to be the one to break the ice. If either of them has anything to prove, it’s J.R. What’s he ever done that makes him so special?"
by Goldennugget on Dec 1, 2008 7:44 PM MST reply actions
At least they're winning. Bottom line!
by John on Dec 1, 2008 9:11 PM MST reply actions
by Jack on Dec 1, 2008 11:18 PM MST reply actions
J.r. is the x factor, at least give him a chance to be the player that could put the nuggets over the top.
by andrew on Dec 1, 2008 11:37 PM MST reply actions
Everyone seems to forget that JR was just a restricted free agent and received NO offers from any of the other 29 NBA teams. Only the Nuggets were silly enough to offer him a contract. If he would be starting for "80%" of the teams, he would have had at least one other offer that would have forced the Nuggets to match. JR is currently the most overrated Nuggets player of all-time. He is super athletic, but just an average NBA player with zero basketball IQ.
"Good enough to make a run in the playoffs, but the only way we even consider the possibility of a championship is if J.R. is playing significant time."
Wow! I would have to say the exact opposite on this one. We need smart players on the floor that make good decisions if we want to win a championship. The less time JR gets, the more of a serious contender the Nuggets are. The more time JR gets, the more the Nuggets are like an And1 team and less like an NBA championship team.
by Anonymous on Dec 2, 2008 8:11 AM MST reply actions
He's a street-baller at this point... not an NBA stud. Karl (or any coach for that matter) needs to have guys on the court that he can be sure of their brains or that they'll consistently play within themselves and within the system, and nobody here can honestly tell anyone that JR Smith plays sensible system-based basketball 100 or even 80% of the time... 80% max.
Sure I want the kid to light it up for us, and more importantly I want the 'light to come on', but there's situations in the games in which I can totally understand going with AC or someone else aside from his wild erratic ass.
by Eric K on Dec 2, 2008 8:34 AM MST reply actions
While I don't agree that he would start on 80% of other teams, he should be the Nuggets starter. You're a fool though, if you think that no other teams would be interested, especially as he makes less than $5mil this season.
by Anonymous on Dec 2, 2008 12:05 PM MST reply actions
I don't know - JR seemed like such a punk when he got to the Nuggets. He seems to have grown up a little, but still makes poor decisions that leave you thinking "what the hell did he do that for?" Until he improves on his consistency, he deserves a spot on the bench, in my opinion. I love to see him play, but someone has got to get it through his head that he needs to play smarter ball.
by grantarchy on Dec 2, 2008 1:29 PM MST reply actions
Carter has been serviceable as a BACK-UP PG, but he should never be on the court when CB is in.
I agree that JR's minutes should suffer when he makes multiple dumb plays, but then that philosophy should ring true with AC, Kleiza, etc.
Plus if playing smart, hard-nosed BBall earns playing time, then why the hell have Balkman's minutes been cut down to nothing?
GK needs to pull his head out of his ass or be sent packing.
by Anonymous on Dec 2, 2008 1:55 PM MST reply actions
To the fellow who doesn't think AC is a great defender, are you sure you aren't talking about Iverson? AC might be undersized, but he's a pittbull and takes extreme pride in his defense. I actually really like how the Nuggets look with Billups matched up against the opponents SG--his shooting, strength and ball-handling are a matchup nightmare.
by Will Byrne on Dec 2, 2008 3:21 PM MST reply actions
I agree that JR has a consistently problem and I think he does need to mature. That being said, a coach can kill a younger player's confidence with his actions. It is not uncommon for a immature player to try to do too much right away if they think they could be pulled out of the game w/o immediate production.
I don't agree with you on AC's defense, he consistently puts himself out of position by going for steals rather than playing solid heads up defense. I have a problem with this because I think he can play this type of good defense, AI had to gamble and go for steals because he couldn't play head-up.
Daunte Jones is twice the defender AC is, that is why I don't have much a problem with him getting the starting nod. I think that AC should only come in the game when CB needs a rest. I actually like him in that role (gives us a bit of a change of pace).
by Anonymous on Dec 2, 2008 4:09 PM MST reply actions
by micb on Dec 2, 2008 4:56 PM MST reply actions
This went from being a hopeful #8 seed to a real western conference contender.
This is the best team i've seen since Karl's inagurual 30 games (or so). Be happy with success!
by John on Dec 2, 2008 10:29 PM MST reply actions
by Cameron on Dec 2, 2008 10:38 PM MST reply actions
He came in fairly early, and did not shoot particularly well. However, he played a good number of minutes and ended up at 50% from the 3 point line. Granted, a lot of that was in garbage time, but I didn't see any serious defensive lapses, and he even played the point fairly effectively for a few possessions.
I don't think any reasonable person really cares if JR starts (though I think he should, especially as we get close to the playoffs). However if Karl doesn't utilize the talent he has, Nuggets fans have a right to be angry. Yes, even though we are winning.
by I rarely post on Dec 3, 2008 1:50 AM MST reply actions
Gimme (and Karl) a break, it's not like he's benching Kobe or anything. Unless you all are watching completely different games than I am, Karl's assessment of JR is dead-on. We've all watched him go 8 for 10 from the arc in one game, and follow it up with 1 for 9 the next. Yeah, Karl makes weird statements like "he's a good-bad player," that's his way of soft-pedaling the truth to the media rather than saying it in a way that's really going to piss off his guys.
Here's the truth: Karl wasn't getting through to some of his players (Melo, JR, maybe a few others). That's on both sides.
Now comes Chauncey and it looks like he's helped whipped the rest of the team into getting with Karl's program in a way Karl never could. And whaddaya know, Karl's program looks like it works, don't it?
Kroenke should be paying Chauncey two salaries - the player's salary he's already getting, as well as whatever they're paying the other assistant coaches.
by Tom on Dec 3, 2008 10:30 PM MST reply actions
While the players are certainly not blameless, Karl has had public issues with Kenyon, Melo, and JR. That doesn't include players no longer on the team, or earlier teams he coached. At some point you have to look at the common denominator, which is Karl and his inability to relate or communicate with many of his players. Besides designing plays and making lineup decisions (both of which I think Karl is questionable at), what other responsibilities does a head coach have beyond motivating his players.
by Anonymous on Dec 4, 2008 12:42 AM MST reply actions
just suppose that jr really does have an attitude problem. that's not a stretch. so, let's suppose that the nuggets got rid of him and he went on to another team that wouldn't address some of jr's weaknesses. they just want a hot hand. so, all jr is is a piece of meat. suppose he doesn't mature and gets passed from on team to another but never changes and doesn't develop as a person or as a player. his play becomes erratic. his conduct off the court is worse. no one holds him accountable. his life is turmoil. he can't control his money. he can't keep a driver's license. the coaches he plays for coaches who are only concerning with winning. they will not hold him accountable.
jr loses.
maybe, just maybe, karl is concerned with jr the player as well as jr the person. maybe he will talk to him when he thinks the time is right. maybe he knows more about jr than we do.
maybe karl wants greatness out of jr. maybe he wants maturity out of jr - in his game and in his personal life. maybe he thinks jr will never mature as a player if he doesn't mature as a person.
maybe that is true and that is why jr has been steadier this year than ever before. just maybe...
i think a coach who will bench a player for his conduct could be on to something. maybe there are things that a larger than winning. maybe like a dead friend in the passenger seat. maybe...
and maybe, just maybe... you are wrong.
by Anonymous on Dec 8, 2008 12:51 PM MST reply actions
by Anonymous on Dec 20, 2008 9:30 PM MST reply actions
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