Johnny_Blaze_47
10-25-2006, 01:00 PM
Nuggets waste big game from red-hot J.R. Smith
Potential starter at shooting guard scores 26 in loss
By Marc J. Spears
Denver Post Staff Writer
DenverPost.com
Article Last Updated:10/25/2006 12:58:43 AM MDT
J.R. Smith had a hot night for the Nuggets. But since the Nuggets didn't, he wasn't thrilled.
Smith scored a game-high 26 points and made 8-of-13 3-pointers during the Nuggets' 127-107 preseason loss Tuesday night to the Utah Jazz at the Pepsi Center. The 21-year-old hit 9-of-14 shots overall in nearly 25 minutes of playing time and seems to be a front-runner to start at shooting guard for the Nuggets.
"A loss is a loss," Smith said. "Eight 3-pointers, that's nothing now if you don't win the game. It does me no good."
The Nuggets (3-3) have scored at least 107 points in each preseason game using a new up-tempo offense. Denver has also allowed 122.3 points in three losses and allowed a preseason high to the Jazz (3-4). Utah shot 54.3 percent from the field, outscored Denver 52-28 in the paint and scored 37 points in the second quarter. Six reserves scored in double figures for the Jazz, including Matt Harpring with a team-high 17 points.
"The games that we have lost we have not played defense," said Nuggets coach George Karl, who was ejected during the fourth quarter after criticizing the referees. "It's kind of like a double-edged sword. When you run, sometimes you put so much energy in running and pushing, you lose your defensive intensity."
Nuggets make cuts
Denver waived veteran guard Anthony Carter and rookie guard Antoine Hood, a former Air Force star, after the game.
Denver had no room to add players because it had a maximum 15 guaranteed roster spots.
"(Carter is) a consummate pro," said Nuggets director of player personnel Rex Chapman. "He'll be OK. Teams always need professionalism and work ethic. A.C. is a (heck) of a basketball player; he'll be fine. Antoine as well. He's a young kid. If he wants to play this game, he'll be able to do that if he sticks with it."
Tournament time
USA Basketball could learn today whether next summer's Tournament of Americas will be played in Las Vegas or San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Team USA, Argentina, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Canada, Venezuela, Mexico, Panama, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Uruguay will be competing for two spots in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. If Team USA doesn't win one of the two spots, it must compete in another tournament in July 2008 for a final shot at an Olympic berth.
"People can't overlook the importance of '07. If we don't qualify, there will be no '08," said USA Basketball executive director Jim Tooley.
Team USA had a 12-day training camp in Las Vegas, five exhibition games in South Korea and nine games at the world championships in Japan this past summer. Next summer, Team USA's training camp is expected to last seven to 10 days in Las Vegas and the Tournament of Americas could be there as well.
"It will be a lot easier and better if it's in Vegas," said Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony, who led Team USA in scoring at the world championships. "I hope it's in Vegas. Even Puerto Rico, that's not too far."
Hodge back in business
Nuggets guard Julius Hodge has been cleared to fully participate in practice today.
Hodge, who hasn't played in a game since being shot four times April 8, will not make the two- game exhibition trip to Los Angeles. Instead, he will continue hyperbaric treatments at Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center until the team returns.
"I'm excited," Hodge said. "It will be good to get back on the court and play."
Footnotes
Nuggets center Marcus Camby (foot) missed his third consecutive game but is expected to play in the two exhibition games in L.A. against the Lakers and Clippers. ... Utah rookie forward Paul Millsap lived in Montbello from ages 2-13 before moving to Ruston, La., with his family.
Marc J. Spears can be reached at 303-954-1098 or [email protected].
Potential starter at shooting guard scores 26 in loss
By Marc J. Spears
Denver Post Staff Writer
DenverPost.com
Article Last Updated:10/25/2006 12:58:43 AM MDT
J.R. Smith had a hot night for the Nuggets. But since the Nuggets didn't, he wasn't thrilled.
Smith scored a game-high 26 points and made 8-of-13 3-pointers during the Nuggets' 127-107 preseason loss Tuesday night to the Utah Jazz at the Pepsi Center. The 21-year-old hit 9-of-14 shots overall in nearly 25 minutes of playing time and seems to be a front-runner to start at shooting guard for the Nuggets.
"A loss is a loss," Smith said. "Eight 3-pointers, that's nothing now if you don't win the game. It does me no good."
The Nuggets (3-3) have scored at least 107 points in each preseason game using a new up-tempo offense. Denver has also allowed 122.3 points in three losses and allowed a preseason high to the Jazz (3-4). Utah shot 54.3 percent from the field, outscored Denver 52-28 in the paint and scored 37 points in the second quarter. Six reserves scored in double figures for the Jazz, including Matt Harpring with a team-high 17 points.
"The games that we have lost we have not played defense," said Nuggets coach George Karl, who was ejected during the fourth quarter after criticizing the referees. "It's kind of like a double-edged sword. When you run, sometimes you put so much energy in running and pushing, you lose your defensive intensity."
Nuggets make cuts
Denver waived veteran guard Anthony Carter and rookie guard Antoine Hood, a former Air Force star, after the game.
Denver had no room to add players because it had a maximum 15 guaranteed roster spots.
"(Carter is) a consummate pro," said Nuggets director of player personnel Rex Chapman. "He'll be OK. Teams always need professionalism and work ethic. A.C. is a (heck) of a basketball player; he'll be fine. Antoine as well. He's a young kid. If he wants to play this game, he'll be able to do that if he sticks with it."
Tournament time
USA Basketball could learn today whether next summer's Tournament of Americas will be played in Las Vegas or San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Team USA, Argentina, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Canada, Venezuela, Mexico, Panama, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Uruguay will be competing for two spots in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. If Team USA doesn't win one of the two spots, it must compete in another tournament in July 2008 for a final shot at an Olympic berth.
"People can't overlook the importance of '07. If we don't qualify, there will be no '08," said USA Basketball executive director Jim Tooley.
Team USA had a 12-day training camp in Las Vegas, five exhibition games in South Korea and nine games at the world championships in Japan this past summer. Next summer, Team USA's training camp is expected to last seven to 10 days in Las Vegas and the Tournament of Americas could be there as well.
"It will be a lot easier and better if it's in Vegas," said Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony, who led Team USA in scoring at the world championships. "I hope it's in Vegas. Even Puerto Rico, that's not too far."
Hodge back in business
Nuggets guard Julius Hodge has been cleared to fully participate in practice today.
Hodge, who hasn't played in a game since being shot four times April 8, will not make the two- game exhibition trip to Los Angeles. Instead, he will continue hyperbaric treatments at Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center until the team returns.
"I'm excited," Hodge said. "It will be good to get back on the court and play."
Footnotes
Nuggets center Marcus Camby (foot) missed his third consecutive game but is expected to play in the two exhibition games in L.A. against the Lakers and Clippers. ... Utah rookie forward Paul Millsap lived in Montbello from ages 2-13 before moving to Ruston, La., with his family.
Marc J. Spears can be reached at 303-954-1098 or [email protected].