Nuggets report: Free-throw shooting woes

By Paul Willis, Special to the Rocky

Published January 26, 2009 at 6:39 p.m.

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While it was difficult to nitpick about much after the Nuggets' 20-point win against Utah on Sunday, the 12 misses from the free-throw line underscored the continuation of a disconcerting trend.

During the past six games, the Nuggets have missed 60 free throws and have clanged at least nine in all but one of those games.

"I'm not going to deny that it's a little squirmy when you're playing well enough to dominate a game and you give it back by missing free throws," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "Missed free throws are like a turnover, in my mind."

The Nuggets' are shooting 72.9percent from the line the past six games. It's low but not disastrous. But Chauncey Billups has made 52-of-55 during that span, meaning the rest of the Nuggets have shot 65.7percent (109-of-166).

"My belief is, during practice, you can trick them into shooting extra free throws," Karl said. "I'm not a believer of bringing it to their attention every day that they're missing free throws. I think free throws are a little bit of a personal responsibility of getting your work in."

DOUBLE HEALING

Carmelo Anthony is feeling better this week because two things nearly have healed: his broken hand and his broken heart.

Anthony still expects to return Friday with his fractured right hand continuing to improve. He'll have the hand re-examined Thursday and believes he'll be cleared to play.

In regards to his heart, Anthony has recuperated from the Baltimore Ravens' loss in the AFC Championship Game to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He now wishes only for a "good Super Bowl" and isn't holding anything against the Steelers.

"I'm over that; we had a good run," Anthony said. "Pittsburgh's having a good run, they're still in it, but they can't sleep on the Cardinals, I'll tell you that."

JONES UPDATE

Nuggets swingman Dahntay Jones missed only one game because of a first-degree separation of his right shoulder, but that doesn't mean he's anywhere near 100 percent.

It is what it is, you play through pain," said Jones, who logged 15minutes against the Jazz. "You're always going to have something that's sore on your body and you just try and forget about it."

Jones hasn't forgotten Memphis and was excited to return to the city where he spent his first four NBA seasons.

"I still own a home there, so I'll get to sleep in my own bed,"he said.

• January 27, 2009

  9:15 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  jersey writes:

  Sadly it's become an epidemic of late. I don't know what can be done if anything at all seeing how if you have reached this level, the ultimate before retirement and can't make em', chances are no matter the length of practice, it ain't gonna happen! Close games are decided on the line.

• January 27, 2009

  10:24 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  jbowen43 writes:

  "I think free throws are a little bit of a personal responsibility of getting your work in."

  More than a little bit. You get paid the big bucks to perform at a high level and I don't see any Wilt Chamberlains on this team that can make up for poor free throw shooting by dominating ALL the other aspects of the game.

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