December 1, 2008 12:19 AM
Nuggets' Karl and Smith aren't talking
By Chris Tomasson
Rocky Mountain News
So what do we know about the relationship between Nuggets coach George Karl and guard J.R. Smith?
There apparently isn't one.
Karl and Smith have had their share of clashes since Smith joined the Nuggets prior to the 2006-07 season. But this fall looked for a while as if it could be different.
The Nuggets during the offseason signed Smith, who finished last season strongly, to a three-year, $16.5 million contract as a restricted free agent. Then they traded Allen Iverson on Nov. 3, in part because Karl wanted to clear more playing time for Smith.
But in the past week, Smith was benched last Wednesday against the Clippers because Karl played said he was "extremely late'' to a practice and Smith played just seven scoreless minutes Saturday at Minnesota (three in garbage time). Smith followed the Clippers game with 32 points against New Orleans and the Minnesota game with 19 against Houston.
Talking after the Rockets game with the Rocky Mountain News, Smith pretty much said he has no relationship with his coach. He would like to sit down and talk with Karl, but isn't optimistic about that happening.
"We never talk,'' Smith said. "I wish (the two could). You never want to not even talk to your coach.''
After Karl benched Smith against the Clippers, Karl said he "didn't tell him'' the reason why, saying Smith "might have known'' why. Before Thursday's game against New Orleans, Karl reiterated he didn't have plans to talk to Smith about it.
Smith lit up the Hornets on national television. So what happened in his next game?
Smith played the final four minutes of the first quarter. Then he didn't return until the final three minutes of garbage time.
Asked before Sunday's game why Smith didn't play against Minnesota, all Karl would say was, "I'll let you interpret that one.''
But, following the game, Karl offered ample clues why Smith barely saw action against the Timberwolves. Smith, who went scoreless and had a turnover in his initial four-minute stint, apparently wasn't giving the effort Karl sought.
"J.R. is a good-bad player, and we're trying to take the bad out and magnify the good,'' Karl said after using Smith for 30 minutes against the Rockets, when he shot 6-of-14, including 5-of-9 on three-pointers, and handed out four assists. "For me, there's, as the game goes on, there's a lot of ways I can try to win them.
"And consistency, defense and a positive, good attitude would keep him on the court. But I don't think he gives us always those three every night we play. Some nights I'll tolerate his bad and some nights I'm probably going to go someplace else.''
Told what Karl said, Smith said, "He's going to think what he wants to think. I just go out there and be me.''
Smith disagreed with Karl's description of how late he was to the Nov. 24 practice. While Karl never used minutes, he also called Smith "very late.''
"It was only five minutes (late),'' Smith said. "That's what my teammates were telling me (when Smith arrived) so I know it was only five minutes. He's always going to say something like that.''
It sounds as if Smith has support from teammates, who see his tremendous talent. Forward Kenyon Martin sought out Smith both after he redeemed himself against New Orleans and against Houston.
"I told him, 'Way to bounce back,''' said Martin, a co-captain. "And I told him that the previous game, when he didn't play. I told him, 'Way to bounce back.' That's a sign of a true professional, that he's grown a lot over the last few years. For him to come back and do what he did means a lot.
"It's all about when he gets out there on the court, what he can do for us. He can't help us on the bench, and I think he realizes that.''
Smith is averaging 11.9 points and shooting 41 percent while playing an average of 25 minutes. His playing time has been erratic, but Smith is used to that.
"That's the story of my life,'' Smith said of the up-and-down nature. "It's been like that since I got here... (Karl) and I have been (battling) for a couple of years, but hopefully we'll kiss and make up soon.''
Smith, though, later admitted he's not that optimistic. Before two kiss, they usually talk to one another.
December 1, 2008
12:46 PM
Stumbleweed writes:
What a joke Karl is. He doesn't even take the time to work with his young talented players. The assistant coaches are the ones who've been helping Jr improve his game and his attitude, and by nearly all accounts (i.e. NOT George Karl), he's done that.
His play is much improved on the court, he rarely takes boneheaded shots anymore unless he's really hot, his defense has been solid (he's clearly trying), he's moving the ball instead of shooting every time he sees daylight, and he's rebounding well for a 2-guard. i just don't know what else he needs to do -- I've just come to terms with the fact that George Karl hates him and he'll never be able to develop into the star he is with that worthless bag of fail leading the way. I just hope he decides to retire after this season... can't believe the ownership extended his contract for another year so he can stunt the team's development further.
December 1, 2008
6:50 PM
observer writes:
I think Karl is a control freak. He is very immature and is again causing problems. We need J.R. out on the court, not on the bench. I am tired of Karl's double standard. Melo's game is anything but stable, yet he always gets his minutes. Why is Karl saying J.R. is a "good/bad" type of player. If a player isn't producing right away, Karl, If he so chooses, yanks the player. Again, I say he wouldn't dare do that with Melo because I think he knows his days in Denver would be numbered.
December 2, 2008
3:19 AM
Nick Rollngs writes:
I personally think Karl is a good/bad coach. When the nuggets win he's right there to be patted on the back but when they lose JR or other players are the cause.
JR is willing to sit down with Karl and talk but Karl isn't man enough or smart enough to realize coaching involves working with different personalities of players. Maybe the good coach Karl side would help make the Nuggets and JR a better team. Not speaking or trying to make a player better is NOT coaching.
December 2, 2008
11:31 AM
Weeman writes:
We need to get rid of Karl. I mean just when I was starting to get respect for George, he goes and does this. I mean I was really thinking G.K. was really it this year, but now it seems like he wants to ruin this team before he leaves.
J.R. has potential to be a star or even a SUPER star in this league. I hope this doesn't persuade him to want to leave. Everybody is calling J.R. amazing, and every fan from every team wishes they had him. Yet Karl doesn't realize the potential of J.R..
Please J.R., don't let this affect you! We love you in DENVER, Karl is done after this season, and when he's gone you will be able to become a D-Town hero. Just play through this season, and i'm sure Nuggets fans will make a campaign to get George out of here, since he doesn't want to act mature and play a 23 year old talented player.
December 3, 2008
9:48 AM
greg stant writes:
suppose that you're wrong.
just suppose that jr really does have an attitude problem. that's not a stretch. so, let's suppose that the nuggets got rid of him and he went on to another team that wouldn't address some of jr's weaknesses. they just want a hot hand. so, all jr is is a piece of meat. suppose he doesn't mature and gets passed from on team to another but never changes and doesn't develop as a person or as a player. his play becomes erratic. his conduct off the court is worse. no one holds him accountable. his life is turmoil. he can't control his money. he can't keep a driver's license. the coaches he plays for coaches who are only concerning with winning. they will not hold him accountable.
jr loses.
maybe, just maybe, karl is concerned with jr the player as well as jr the person. maybe he will talk to him when he thinks the time is right. maybe he knows more about jr than we do.
maybe karl wants greatness out of jr. maybe he wants maturity out of jr - in his game and in his personal life. maybe he thinks jr will never mature as a player if he doesn't mature as a person.
maybe that is true and that is why jr has been steadier this year than ever before. just maybe...
i think a coach who will bench a player for his conduct could be on to something. maybe there are things that a larger than winning. maybe like a dead friend in the passenger seat. maybe...
and maybe, just maybe... you are wrong.
December 3, 2008
8:37 PM
Bill writes:
Greg - I like you comments. There are always two sides... and rarely is the totality of what's going on really known to those on the outside.
February 3, 2009
6:32 PM
mel arterburn writes:
after JR SMITH filled in for carmello anthony and was a starter, it was clear to me and all of my friends and my entire family that he should remain a starter for the rest of the season, but we were all shocked that karl put him back on the bench. his stats are clearly way better than jones