Of course, this is a facetious question in nature, but I thought I'd bring it up anyway.
Are the Nuggets better outside shooters when they apparently can't even see the basket and have to rush their jumper, as opposed to having time to set into proper form?
They shot .429 from the floor last night in their incredible buzzer-beating victory at Sacramento but when they absolutely, positively had to have a basket fall----Linas Kleiza's shooting percentage was 1.000
Of course, he's not your primary option in a last shot situation, but when there is a loose ball and the frantic final seconds are ticking away----Carmelo and Allen sometimes have to take a back seat to a guy whose shooting touch from the outside---on this team, is second to none.
Then again, those last few seconds were so hectic, whoever had their hand on the basketball was going to be deciding this game's outcome---thankfully, for the Nuggets, it ended up being Kleiza.
He has a sweet touch but after the game Allen Iverson even admitted, "That was a lucky shot".
He also added "K hit that shot and I was forever smiling".
That, as Martha Stewart would say, is "a good thing" because prior to last night, there wasn't much to smile about. Head coach George Karl continues to say how proud he is of his team, apparently neglecting to look at their 15-11 record heading into last night's game. He has said injuries have slowed this team's growth and to an extent I agree.
Last night may have been the night this team turned the corner. Of course, if you follow this team, you know they have been on the corner with the right-hand turn signal on, but have yet to actually make that "turn."
Can one game change all of that? Sure. Just like one game can conversely debilitate the Kings. After the loss, head coach Reggie Theus responded by saying "it's supposed to hurt or you don't care. It's supposed to sting."
It was just one shot, one night, and one victory, but you never know. Maybe the pieces are falling into place.
Iverson had been on a scoring spree coming into last night and added 21 on Sunday, despite shooting just 6-21 from the floor.
That was fine because Carmelo Anthony, who has been in a slump at about the same time Iverson was surging, scored 30 points and looks to be back on track.
Anthony is a star but it's another "Anthony" that is beginning to shine. Anthony Carter has given the Nuggets a spark.
Add to the mix a healthy Chucky Atkins, who is providing the floor leadership and shooting the team was hoping for when they signed him and this could get interesting.
Marcus Camby looks to be fine after a back injury and despite Kenyon Martin missing last night's victory with a hamstring problem---when he has been on the floor, he has shown flashes of his old game.
So, in April will we look back at December 23 as the turning point in the Nuggets season? Maybe. If so, would you be surprised to know the hero was Kleiza. Definitely.
Have a great day, everyone!
-"Z"
