The Nuggets offseason: Linas Kleiza...
by Andrew Feinstein on Jun 3, 2009 12:49 PM MDT
39 comments
As we did last summer, Denver Stiffs will look at each of the Nuggets offseason decisions in detail beginning with free agents first. In no particular order, I've decided to start with small forward Linas Kleiza who's essentially a restricted free agent. I say essentially because Denver will likely exercise their $2.7 million qualifying offer to Kleiza, meaning that Kleiza could sign with another team for more giving the Nuggets the right to match any offer.The Good: When motivated, Kleiza is a first-rate scorer off the bench. It's rare to have a reserve player who not only can hit an open three-pointer but also can create his own shot when the shot clock is winding down. During the nine games that Carmelo Anthony missed in January due to the broken hand injury, Kleiza (still coming off the bench) had games with 21, 18, 26, 27, 18 and 16 points. All but one of those games were wins.
In Game 2 of the conference finals, Kleiza demonstrated his value yet again with 16 points and eight rebounds (three offensive) off the bench to spark the Nuggets to a 106-103 victory. The Nuggets don't come back from LA with a split without Kleiza's contribution. Often forgotten is Kleiza's 2008 playoff performance against the Lakers, as well. While most of the Nuggets played like cowards in that series, Kleiza showed no fear in Games 1 through 3 against the purple and gold (of course, the Nuggets were easily swept in that series). And continuing on the "no fear" path, Kleiza isn't afraid to take big shots, either. This was evident when Kleiza nailed the biggest shot of the 2008 Beijing Olympics when his three-pointer with 2.1 seconds left gave Lithuania a victory over favored Argentina.
The Bad: Once on a trajectory to be a real offensive force off the Nuggets bench in a poor man's Manu Ginobili-type role, Kleiza reverted in 2008-09 and it was all mental. Before the Clippers game on Halloween, Kleiza was on the verge of signing at four-year, $25 million contract that was suddenly withdrawn by Nuggets owner Stanley Kroenke because, behind-the-scenes, the Chauncey Billups trade was in the works. Had Kleiza signed that deal, acquiring Billups might not have been possible.So while it might be understandable that Kleiza would be upset, rather than turn the contract snub into a motivation tool Kleiza sulked his way through a very inconsistent season. For those who saw Kleiza play live regularly, you probably noticed that his body language was notably different than from the season before when he had more of a cold blooded shooter mentality. Remember those nine games he filled in for Melo above? Well in two of them, he shot 0-for-6 and 1-for-6 on back-to-back nights (one win, one loss...go figure).
And throughout last season, Kleiza had a lot of those "off nights": 1-for-8 on opening night, 2-for-8 in that Clippers game after the contract fiasco, 2-for-7 a few nights later against the Warriors, 3-for-9 against the Clippers again, 1-for-5 against the Magic, 1-for-6 against the Sixers, 1-for-7 against the Kings, and so on. In March, Kleiza went three straight games making only one shot against at least five attempts. In the game before that stretch, he shot 2-for-7 against the Nets (to be fair, everyone was awful in that game) and in the game before that, 3-of-9 against the Clippers again. In fact, Kleiza went five consecutive games without a three-pointer made in February, seven consecutive games without a three-pointer made in March and over the entire month of March, Kleiza made just six three-point shots against 31 attempts. Ouch.
Oh, and he's a sieve as a defender, too. Too slow to defend super quick small forwards and too short to defend power forwards.
Possible Replacement(s): If Kleiza walks - either because he takes an offer from another team that the Nuggets don't match or the Nuggets don't offer him the qualifying offer in the first place - his primary replacement would be Renaldo Balkman whom I advocated to be the small forward sub off the bench in the playoffs over Kleiza in the first place. Since Nuggets head coach George Karl jerked Balkman's minutes around so much in the regular season, it's hard to evaluate what Balkman's contribution would be in Kleiza's spot. What we do know for sure, however, is that when given consistent minutes Balkman produces. Note Balkman's March stretch (the same time that Kleiza was struggling mightily). From the March 6th game against the Jazz to the March 20th game against the Wizards, Balkman averaged 10.7 points and 10.7 rebounds (almost five offensive) per game while shooting well over 50% from the field. Against the Thunder on March 11th, Balkman had more offensive rebounds than defensive rebounds!But unlike Kleiza, Balkman cannot create his own shot and feeds primarily off of offensive rebound put-backs (something Kleiza doesn't do particularly well).
Beyond Balkman, a non-Kleiza future might include more playing time for Sonny Weems, who allegedly performed well in the NBDL, but Karl is reticent to give young players ample playing time. Or, if the Nuggets re-sign Dahntay Jones but part with Kleiza, they could go small and feature J.R. Smith and Jones together in Kleiza's place. And of course there might be a free agent swingman out there that the Nuggets could poach for the league minimum as they did with Jones and Andersen last summer. If there's one thing that grows on trees in the NBA, it's 6'6"-to-6'8" "swingmen" in need of a minimum contract, just ask Julius Hodge and DerMarr Johnson.
The Verdict: IF the Nuggets can somehow keep Kleiza for the $2.7 million qualifying offer without jeopardizing other dealings (more on that below), I say do so, even if it means creeping into the luxury tax a bit. First off, paying a guy $2.7 million who could pop for 15-20 points on any given night is a steal by NBA standards. Secondly, I believe there's real value to having someone on your team who's been around a while, knows his teammates' tendencies on the floor and knows the "system" (who am I kidding, the Nuggets don't have a system). And finally, if Kleiza's last five games and postseason play were any indication, I believe he's come to accept the contract issue and may perform even better next season knowing he'll be an unrestricted free agent at season's end.That being said, if re-signing Kleiza - even at just $2.7 million - comes at the expense of re-signing Chris "Birdman" Andersen or acquiring a legitimate big man, it's best to let Kleiza walk. Balkman filled in admirably behind Melo this past season and can do so again next season to fill the void that would be left by a Kleiza departure. But it should be acknowledged that over the course of his four season tenure in Denver, Kleiza has been a producer off the bench. If the dollars are right and there aren't better deals to be had, Kleiza should be welcomed back.
0 recs |
39 comments
Email
Print
Comments
by Tru Fan Colorado on Jun 3, 2009 3:56 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
When deciding whether to keep or let go a player, it is not only his ability/play that must be evaluated, but also who would get his minutes if he is let go. In this case, his minutes would likely go to Balkman. Balkman is a completely different player than Kleiza - absolutely no threat to shoot outside. Perhaps Balkman could do what Najera did - Najera had only taken 15 threes in a season prior to 07/08 when he shot 147 at 36%. Switching Balkman for Kleiza would improve the defense and offensive rebounding, but could hurt on offense with teams able to double off of him.
For any potential site redesign, please consider cell phone browsing. Prior to the addition of the virtual chat to the site, I could check the site from my cell. I am out of the office a lot for work, so that was great.
Oh, and don't forget, Kleiza is the fastest with the ball from the hip to the hoop!
by KarlSucks on Jun 3, 2009 4:00 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I can't believe I forgot to include options/replacements as I meant to do so initially. Totally skipped my mind while writing this. I just updated the post with my take for possible replacements, including Balkman. Thanks for suggesting this and following the blog!
All best,
Andrew
by Andrew on Jun 3, 2009 4:19 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Is it true that the Nuggets could have traded Kleiza for D. Lee?
If so, that would have been a great trade for them, even if only for half a year. Oh well, water under the bridge.
by Pusherman on Jun 3, 2009 4:23 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
by Gasus on Jun 3, 2009 4:37 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Thoughts? Fellow readers? Andrew?
PS
Also he can come off the bench or start and push melo to shooting guard. nene, martin, artest, melo, and billups. with jones, jr, and birdman off the bench.
by Agent Fisher on Jun 3, 2009 4:45 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I like the idea as I have thought of it myself in the past. I just couldn't justify puting another small lineup out there all year if I was the Nugs FO. The Nugs would be a ton better team but they can't dump any salary to sign Artest. If the Nugs got rid of Nene's contract they could sign Rasheed and it would add the size they need to win a championship. The Nugs issue with LA, Houston, Orlando, and would have been with a healthy Boston is defensive size and rebounding. Artest would make the Nugs a better team but there is no way to add him to the roster. Bring on Rasheed Wallace or another talented big. Memet Okur is deciding now whether or not he is going to take his player option with the Jazz. He would be another good fit for the Nugs (not as good a fit as Wallace though) without Nene's contract.
by Gasus on Jun 3, 2009 4:54 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
by Anonymous on Jun 3, 2009 5:13 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Look, if the Nuggets are going to play defense first (which they forgot to do in games 5 & 6), Kleiza doesn't fit the mold. I like his offensive skills when he is aggressive, but when he plays tentatively, he's terrible.
His minutes should be split up between Weems and Balkman, depending on the defensive matchups.
Next.
by My3Cents on Jun 3, 2009 5:19 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Both seasons LK has been distracted by trade rumors or the rejection of his contract.
LK crashes the boards and is able to create his shot.
His defence is suspect probably because the coaches aren't teaching him. Who knows what the off season would bring to his game especially with CB7 here.
Trade him and watch him come back like a Van Wafer and torch our asse s.
This is the guy who is UNFAIRLY DERIDED.
JR and LK play really well together, seems like they look for each other when on the floor at the same time.
Melo, JR, and LK on the floor at the same time. That's the threat t we need. Three guys firing shots bringing us back when we need it is much better than that bull shi t 2 pg rotation.
Sonny Weems "allegedly performed well" did you check him out in the NBADL? Why don't you believe the coaches that know his play?
Seems like a young player in the leauge can't get a break with the Nuggets. And yet that POS AC is patronized.
Something ain't right here
by SamIam on Jun 3, 2009 6:04 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
thoughts?
by Agent Fisher on Jun 3, 2009 6:08 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
A big misconception with your view on the Kleiza situation is that you are looking at all the positives with Kleiza, but as it stands the negatives outweigh the positives with him. Sure he has a chance to go off any night for 15-20, again, key word "chance". How often did that actually happen last year? Meanwhile, it's a "reality" that Balkman is a tough, dirty, defensive stopper who can get you steals and more rebounds than any member of our starting front line if he just gets the minutes. That is my biggest problem with Kleiza, he takes away minutes from Balkman. And again, Kleiza is just too much of a liability on defense. He couldn't stop Ime Udoka from driving the lane if his life depended on it.
But I don't think any of this really matters anyways as I expect some team out there with money to throw a pretty lucrative offer at Kleiza. I think Kleiza is worth 4-6 mil, and teams like OKC, Minnesota, Toronto and Memphis, all of which have tons of money to spend would definitely love a player like Kleiza.
So my verdict, let him walk when another team throws an offer at him. I used to love Kleiza but frankly, we can't afford for him to have another year like he did last year, taking up valuable minutes from guys who actually have confidence and don't shake like a tree every time they get the ball. With that said, I wish him success wherever he goes. With all my heart I hope he goes somewhere with a big fat contract and gets a starting job, and becomes a fan favorite just like he was here.
by Goldennugget on Jun 3, 2009 7:42 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Since you mentioned his Olympic run, I'd like to point out that he did not seem to gel very well with the rest of the Lithuanian team, and was frequently benched for long stretches. I watched quite a few of Lithuania's games, and his last second shot was one of his few highlights.
by Cessair on Jun 3, 2009 10:40 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Lk needs to lose 15-20 pounds to
hack it on any NBA team. He was smaller last season and preformed better. Same as Melo and Nene. When they dropped the weight they played, and moved around the court much easier.
I think we need to keep him. If Karl holds true on his starting JR next year, then who will be our bench scorer? We need bench points and we can't hope that Birdman somehow develops the the best mid range game in the league in the off season. If LK can be disciplined enough to hit the gym and work the kinks out of his game, he's our man.
by Joelsopinion on Jun 3, 2009 11:14 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
by maxie miner on Jun 3, 2009 11:27 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
The misconception is that AC is unfairly derided.
If the money was right, well I know where you can unload $1.2 mil as of the beginning of last year. AC isn't worth it.
It's called being human that a player is not on there game all the time. CB7, Melo, David Robinson, D Wade every player goes through a slump. LK played all year like Melo, Kobe, Pau and LBJ and the slump was exsaserbated with the contract issue and GK's screwed up rotations.
Where was Melo's defense until this past season? Absent!
I agree LK could polish up his game a little, Chauncey needs to check himself the coaches can take care of that.
The ole saying about "Be careful what you wish for" is most appropiate here.
by SamIam on Jun 4, 2009 1:22 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I see three possible outcomes for LK. He gets a deal close to the MLE and the Nuggets are forced to let him walk. Or, he's able to stay us cheapyl for not too much over the qualifying. Third, he gets shipped out in a sign and trade in a money-saving effort.
I like LK, but he needs to have a role of primary scorer off the bench if we give him a raise. It kind of all rides on what Stan wants to do in terms of luxury tax. In reality Kleiza is pretty reasonably priced and it's hard to argue against keeping him, unless he gets a ridiculous contract offer
by runningdonut on Jun 4, 2009 2:36 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
*Fans only, not over-rated by the coaching staff who sees his true abilities. If Balkman had a regular buzz cut, fans wouldn't even know he existed.
by Anonymous on Jun 4, 2009 8:26 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
by Anonymous on Jun 4, 2009 10:26 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Shaq? fat old men don't make a team better
Nuggets need to sign birdman but him at center, move Nene to PF and Melo to SF, Jr at sg and CB at PG. Kmart come off the bench(or trade him for some big guy) along with DJ and weems. Ddrop LK n AC and get supplemental players.
by RPN on Jun 4, 2009 10:32 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
LOL, that is probably what the Nugs will do. If so, no way they are getting back to the conference finals yet alone an NBA championship. Who here thinks the Nugs need to make a change for a shot at a championship? Bird to starting center? LOL. Bird is so effective because he changes the flow of the Nuggets defense when he comes off the bench. He also doesn't have to conserve his energy because he is not a starter, that is how he can play so hard when he is out there. You put him at starting center and he won't be nearly as effective. Nugs have to pick up a good center in an exchange for Nene. Only chance at a championship is to trade Nene for a real center to defend the bigs of LA and Houston, yet alone match up with Orlando or Boston in the finals next year. All these guys saying not to disrupt the team, don't change anything, no more veterans, etc would fit perfectly in the Denver FO. Just like the Nuggets FO has thought for years, we'll be better in 2 or 3 years. So funny, what happened to winners mentality, oh I forgot, the Nuggets never have had a winning mentality in the FO. Nugs will never win a championshipwithout a stud big to replace Nene period. The chance to win is next year and the year after. From there Chauncey will start to decline and all bets are off. Retards are saying no Wallace because he is too old, LOL! Nugs can win now but if the FO is thinking that way they never will.
by gasus on Jun 4, 2009 11:42 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
by NugzD on Jun 4, 2009 12:04 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
by Agent Fisher on Jun 4, 2009 12:15 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
by Vanilla Gorilla on Jun 4, 2009 1:12 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
That's why I'm anti-Sheed right now. It's a quick fix. It's putting all of our eggs in one basket and praying it pans out. Gasus you keep talking about winning. In my eyes winning is a constant effort not a one and done run for the championship. That's not a winning mentality. That's a "get while the gettin' is good" mentality. And it only works once in a long while.
by Joelsopinion on Jun 4, 2009 1:37 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
What? How many teams have you seen over the years be good but never make it to the top? Phoenix, Dallas, Cleveland, Utah, Portland, etc........... Do the Nugs hang runner up banners in the rafters at the Pepsi Center? Championships bring a winning culture. Once the front office tastes a championship they will strive every year to win another. What kind of contract do you think the Nugs would have to give Wallace? Probably 3 years at 10 to 12 million per. Billups won't even be effective beyond 3 years from now and for some reason you think the Nugs will be the powerhouse in the West. The LA Lakers have a very young team and they will be the team to beat every year for the next 5 to 7 years. The next 2 to 3 years could damn well be the best shot at winning a championship for the Nugs forseable future. Leaders like Billups don't come around very often. Also, why do you think Nene is all of a sudden going to learn to play defense, tough interior offense, and offensive and defensive rebound? He is a glaring hole in the team and he will never be anything that great. When his contract comes up in a couple years he will probably be looking for a max deal and in no way has he proven he is worth it. Nugs trade Nene for Wallace, replace AC with a more atheletic min contract point guard, and replace GK soon and that is the recipe for winning now and it sets up for good expiring contracts to pick up other players in the future. 2 to 3 years with Wallace will develop the true bad boys of the West into perrenial contenders. Now if the Nugs keep Nene then they are banking on not needing an effective center. They are also hoping that Nene stays healthy, learns not to flop/foul/whine all the time, and becomes more of an aggressive player around the basket. What do you want, pipe dreams to continue for Nugget fans into the future or a legitimate chance at a championship for the next 3 years? Why do you enjoy hoping a guy would get better rather than putting something together with guys that have proven they can get it done?
by Gasus on Jun 4, 2009 3:00 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
by Gasus on Jun 4, 2009 3:06 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
by Goldennugget on Jun 4, 2009 7:22 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
by Mike on Jun 4, 2009 10:59 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
As I said winning would be sweet, and I'd be the drunkest bastard in the ensuing celebration. Gasus good point about getting a taste of winning and wanting more. The odds though of Sheed comming to Denver and brining with him some sort of juju for a title is absurd. If the Nuggets re-up and get a quality big man in place of Nene I won't be bothered in the least. It's not like the guy is paying my bills or anything. I'm just a little put off at the notion you've concocted that Sheed=Title(s). Nene does have room for improvement as does the rest of the team. But I'll say it again, he should be playing the 4 not the 5. And it's not his fault that he constantly undersized.
How many times in the past season did we praise Nene for being a beast? And you're ready to forget all of that because of a bad (his first mind you) conference series? We weren't calling for Melo to go home after he failed to show up in last years playoffs. We didn't call for JR to be sent packing after any of his many, many bad outings. So I can't see why people are so ready to ship Nene off after a bad series against a much taller and better coached team.
I could sit here and research free agents who fit the bill, but I don't make decisions in the Nuggets FO and it's not worth my time. I'll just say that I don't see the sense in trading down.
by Joelsopinion on Jun 5, 2009 9:08 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
You have to look at what the Nuggets can do. The best big free agent out there now is Rasheed Wallace period. If some other sort of trade comes up for a guy a little younger with Rasheed's defensive mentality and scoring ability then I hope the Nuggets jump on it. Also, the only option the Nuggets have to get a true talent at center is shipping Nene because Kmart can't be shipped unless you package him with JR and probably Bird too. Now, who want's to see JR and Bird go? Bird is the momentum changer and JR can win games practically by himself. Also, Kenyon brings a ton to this team with his toughness and defensive prowess that Nene doesn't. The only option the Nuggets have that makes sense is to ship Nene or go way over the cap by just signing a talented big. I truly doubt the FO would like to pay 30 million per year for a big rather than 15 million. What makes you think that adding Rasheed wouldn't give the Nuggets a better chance at a title? He is as better defender, rebounder, and offensive threat than Nene. Just what the Nuggets need. Just because you don't like a guys attitude doesn't mean you should shut your mind down when thinking about the guy. I don't know if he slept with your wife or something but you should try to open your eyes a little bit.
by Gasus on Jun 5, 2009 10:24 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
by Gasus on Jun 5, 2009 10:29 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree with you - people shouldn't be crossing the line with personal attacks. Honest disagreement is okay. Insults and personal attacks are not.
Rasheed Wallace, who I like a lot, is a 35 year old power forward who is well below his career shooting percentage and averaged the lowest scoring since his rookie year. He is not a center and is in decline. Giving him anything more than a one year deal would be a huge mistake. Plus, if you have him on the team with KMart and Smith, you might as well just have the officials hand out a tech at the beginning of each game just to get it out of the way. Having him as a rotation player makes some sense, but he is a stop gap and probably not a starter much longer.
by KarlSucks on Jun 5, 2009 11:40 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
One thing to remember about the WCF: We were actually playing better defense than offense. Our offensive efforts were atrocious in the last two games. Is it talent? Or coaching? With all the firepower we have, you have to look at coaching. We had no offense once we got frustrated by the Lakers owning our passing lanes as masterfully as we did. No adjustments were made and one of the most electric offenses (ours) in the league was dismantled.
Should I mention this in the Kleiza post? Maybe not, but the guy was actually one of the only ones knocking down shots at the end... albeit in pretty much garbage time efforts.
by Eric K on Jun 5, 2009 4:34 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I have to agree on the coaching. You look at teams like Utah, and they have an offense where they are trying to get specific shots for specific players. If the guy is open for his shot when he receives the ball he takes it, if not you keep running the offense. Running an offense like this helps reduce the bad shots taken because players know which shots the coach wants them to take and it helps eliminate the scoring droughts by giving them something to fall back on when they start to struggle.
by KarlSucks on Jun 5, 2009 4:41 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
by Agent Fisher on Jun 5, 2009 7:10 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
by Zachm219 on Jun 7, 2009 10:54 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
by John on Jun 7, 2009 5:53 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
by Anonymous on Jun 7, 2009 8:32 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
DENVER STIFFS T-SHIRTS!
Enter your email for updates
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
