Kleiza has emerged for the Nuggets
DENVER -- Linas Kleiza is never sure what his role will be for the Denver Nuggets, so he prepares for all the possibilities.
After a recent practice his teammates went back to the locker room, one by one until Kleiza and an assistant coach were the only ones left on the court. He practiced 3-pointers, midrange jumpers and a variety of catch-and-shoot moves, staying about 10 minutes longer than anyone else.
Putting in that extra time is how he became Denver’s third-leading scorer this season. He is one of Nuggets coach George Karl’s more versatile options.
“I don’t know if we can write a better script,” Karl said. “Linas has been fantastic. He’s probably as professional and as hard of a worker as anyone on our team. Coaches like that.”
The bad part for Kleiza is Denver’s third-leading scorer is usually forgotten. The top two scorers, Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony, average 53 points while dominating the offense.
Kleiza has to swallow some pride. When Anthony missed five games in January because of an ankle injury, Kleiza started and averaged 12.8 shots per game. Then Anthony returned and Kleiza was back on the bench.
“It’s just going back to my old role, that’s all,” Kleiza said.
In the five games since Anthony’s return, Kleiza has averaged nine shots. Against Utah last week, he rarely touched the ball and attempted five shots. He often stood around the perimeter as Anthony or Iverson (44 combined shots) tried to beat their defender. Yet, in other games, he has been a big part of the offense. He had a 41-point game against Utah on Jan. 17 and has scored at least 20 points off the bench four times this season.
Kleiza said he doesn’t worry about starting or how large a role he’ll have in the offense.
“It’s just my usual attitude,” he said. “I don’t get caught up in stuff. That’s my role on this team, and I embrace it. I enjoy playing behind those guys.”
Portland chose Kleiza with the 27th pick of the 2005 draft and then traded his rights and those of Ricky Sanchez to the Nuggets for the rights to Jarrett Jack.
Kleiza was born in Lithuania. His parents moved to the United States in the mid-1990s and he came to the U.S. when he was 16.
Kleiza has added to his game every year since coming out of college. He was a power forward at Missouri but has transformed himself into a wing player. He had time to improve as a rookie because he averaged only 8.5 minutes.
First, he improved his 3-point shooting, hitting 83 last season. His 3-point accuracy has dipped from 38 percent to 34.4 percent this season, but he’s better overall.
His overall shooting percentage has risen from 42 percent to 47.3 percent and his scoring average has risen from 7.6 points to 12.2.
“I kind of proved last year I can shoot 3s, but right now I’m doing way more stuff than that,” Kleiza said. “I’m taking it to the basket more, I’m playing underneath more, so I’m adding that to my game.”
As Kleiza improves, he plays more. As he plays more, his confidence increases. He approaches the days between games the same way he did when he was a rookie trying to earn playing time.
“I had to get better so I stayed in the gym, like I do today,” Kleiza said. “Before practice, after practice, that’s what you’ve got to do.”
