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Karl struggling to get consistency in starting lineup

By Aaron J. Lopez, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published January 18, 2009 at 2:44 p.m.

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Over the past two weeks, Linas Kleiza and J.R. Smith have shown the consistency of unstirred pancake batter.

Double-digit scoring games one night, single-digit duds, the next.

Seeking a bit of sanity and a defensive edge at the opening tip, Nuggets coach George Karl is considering starting veteran guard Anthony Carter today against the Houston Rockets.

With forward Carmelo Anthony out with a broken right hand for the past five games, Karl has Kleiza and Smith in the starting lineup, with varying degrees of success.

Kleiza scored 21 points as a starter against Miami on Jan. 7 but managed just one point two days later against Detroit.

Smith supplanted Kleiza in the starting lineup Jan. 13 and promptly went 1-for-14 from the floor against Dallas, only to bounce back with 19 points against Phoenix. He then went 2-for-13 Saturday against Orlando.

``I think they’re very good young players, and young players, the thing they must learn is consistency,’’ Karl said. ``They haven’t reached the goal yet. I think both of them, they need to take out those bad games.’’

With the exception of 7-foot-6 center Yao Ming and his 7-2 backup Dikembe Mutombo, the Rockets do not have any other players taller than 6-9, allowing Karl to stick with a three-guard lineup.

``I’m not very big on matchups as I am how we start the game and how I can get positive pieces working,’’ Karl said. ``Sometimes size dictates to me who should play, but I don’t think Houston gives us a size problem, so . . . there’s a possibility A.C. will be the starter, come out with our defensive game first.’’

Carter, the backup to starting point guard Chauncey Billups, is a strong perimeter defender, but he tends to struggle offensively when he shifts to the shooting-guard position.

``Offensively, I’m kind of stagnant because (Billups) is out there and he’s running the ball up the court and I have to be in the two-spot,’’ Carter said. ``I’m not that familiar with the two-spot, so it’s kind of different there.’’

Kleiza, meanwhile, has found a comfort zone off the bench in the past two games. Mired in a 1-for-12 shooting slump, he scored 18 points against Phoenix and added 26 Saturday against Orlando.

Kleiza hit 4-of-7 three-pointers in those two games, but he was even more successful driving to the hoop and running the floor in transition.

``I felt like I could get to the hole,’’ he said. ``I’m doing a great job the last two games. I feel like guys couldn’t stay in front of me. We penetrate first and look to shoot second.’’

Comments

  • January 18, 2009

    3:38 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Mark13 writes:

    Ha Ha Ha Ha, oh man this is hilarious, Karl gives Carter more minutes than most starters as it is. The things he comes up with are mind boggling.

  • January 18, 2009

    4:24 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    swilsin writes:

    Whew, I thought he was replacing Smooth in the starting line up with AC.

    Start LK, bring JR and AC off the bench.

  • January 18, 2009

    5:22 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    alcolei writes:

    What the??? Im a big nuggets fan here in the philippines and im pissed of with this a.c. fiasco that g.k.'s fond of. Man,that guy's undersized amongst opposing sg's and too slow against pg's,especially the young'uns! I remember last time when turkoglu hit that dagger at the end of the 3rd quarter,a.c.'s in his face and can't offer that much of a challenge. Too many missed perimeter shots and his shooting form,man,he's a pro and should and must do better than that. And how many layups did he missed. Last time we played houst0n,they were abused by brooks, and who's m0stly in his face,none other than a.c. I just hope that denver will take homecourt,win a playoff round,then fire g.k. and get a coach next season!

  • January 18, 2009

    7:37 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    chizman69 writes:

    Not only shouldn't Carter, start, he shouldn't even be on the team. A turtle can out run him.

  • January 18, 2009

    8:19 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jsppro1 writes:

    AC starting, oh got dam you Karl!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • January 18, 2009

    9:06 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ColoradoSportsFaninTexas writes:

    Carter must have some dirty pictures on Karl....How else can it be explained that he is getting so many minutes, and now he may be starting....Unbelieveable.....

    Another problem I see with Carter starting, is who will play the point for Billups when he needs a rest?? J.R. Smith I guess could do it, but he is more effective as the scorer providing points off the bench.....

    The only way for Smith and Kleiza to be consistent is to get them on the floor on a consistent basis.....Karl needs to decide who will play in place of Melo, and just let him play....This constant switching of players is only causing frustration, and inconsistent play....

  • January 18, 2009

    9:31 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    weasely27 writes:

    They traded the wrong point guard when they got rid of Chucky. AC's a turnover machine. Hilarious, because George thinks he's somehow our lead protector. I cringe every time he throws an outlet pass, takes a shot, or attempts to keep up on defense.

  • January 18, 2009

    10:37 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    TUBBYBEACH writes:

    Hey Nugget nation, do you remember when Karl kept Earl Watson on the bench? Voshon Lenard? Chucky Atkins (when healthy)? Von Wafer? During those times we needed a shooter, but Karl flat out wouldn't play any of those guys. Even though the Nuggets played zero defense, Karl never played them because they were defensive liabilities. Is Anthony Carter THAT good at defense, am I missing something here? I'll bet Von Wafer gets 16 points tomorrow. I'll laugh if he gets 30 on Carter. Karl is going to be the downfall of this very talented team because of talent judgement and substitution patterns. I hope to God I am wrong though.

  • January 19, 2009

    8:30 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jstogie writes:

    Does anyone seem to remember a player by the last name of "Balkman"? I think he may be starting to grow roots into the Pepsi Center floor he's been on the bench so long. He is a quality defender, doesn't demand offensive possessions, and hustles. He and Dahntay Jones should have more minutes as they compliment the rest of the starters well.

    I'm beginning to think G.K. just doesn't like the guy...

  • January 19, 2009

    9:03 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    NMNugsfan writes:

    ColoradoSportsFaninTexas writes:

    Carter must have some dirty pictures on Karl....How else can it be explained that he is getting so many minutes, and now he may be starting....Unbelieveable.....

    Dude I've been saying that since last season, he either has pics of GK in panties or in drag or they're lovers and noone knows cuz there's just no excuse for him first of all getting the mins. he does and now even being metioned as a possible starter. It is really just rediculous that his washed up old a** is still even in the league. I always find myself saying "oh my god" or "oh sh*t" everytime he chucks up that tired old jumper of his, which is pretty often. If GK was smart he'd just stick with LK until Melo comes back cuz it's obvious he's more ready to start than JR is. I'm a huge JR fan but he's still too immature, you can tell cuz he tears it up when he comes off the bench but I think he thinks about doing too much as starter and it screws with him, also he's never really got to start cuz GK's kept him on the bench so long that he's use to his role. GK needs to quit changing our lineup every game and keep a constant unit and stick with it. I can't wait til Melo comes back cuz our offense looked like garbage the other night. Keep voting for Melo and Chauncey cuz voting ends tonight. Go Nugs.

  • January 19, 2009

    9:08 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    dumbbobert writes:

    How come all here is this gripping no matter what move Karl makes. Look at the WL's'

  • January 19, 2009

    10:09 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    anthony1979 writes:

    our starting 5 while Melo is out s/b

    PG Billups
    SG Jones
    SF Balkman
    PF K-Mart
    C Nene

    ...JR is too inconsistent when he starts. Kleiza is just straight garbage this season, AC doesn't belong on the court period. Balkman will help us get off to a good start w/ his energy and defensive play which would make it easier for our scorers late so they don't have to try to heave threes from half court to try to put points on the board...well...speaking of that...we need better shot selection of late...but that's a different story...

  • January 19, 2009

    10:35 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    TUBBYBEACH writes:

    Hey dumbbobert, you have an excellent point. Plus the fact that Karl has over 900 career wins as a NBA coach. That is 900 plus more wins than I have. I'm the biggest Karl detractor simply because I hate his substitution patterns and simply don't like him. I think his track record with teams that are talented and their underachieving speaks volumes. I hope to god you make me eat my constant negative remarks about him and we do well in the playoffs. I've been a Nuggets fan since the early eighties when my father would take me to Big Mac for games. I suffered, like many, through the dark years (Paul Westhead anybody). So in that regard, I feel some negativity is earned because we finally have a geniune team. And my gut feeling is Karl is going to be the downfall. Like I said earlier though, I hope I am dead wrong and eat my words.

  • January 19, 2009

    2:36 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    vinnyg79 writes:

    The refs were about as bad as you get this afternoon in Houston. That last second call on Klieza was pathetic. This just further shows why old men and women have no place officiating in the NBA.