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ESPN is reporting, that former Nuggets shooting guard J.R. Smith will not be returning to the Nuggets. Smith Tweeted out early this morning that he will join Jeremy Lin, Carmelo Anthony, and the New York Knicks. Smith will received a prorated portion of New York's mini mid-level exception ($2.5 million) and a player option for a second season. Smith will be missed by many in Nuggets Nation ...
0 recs | 102 comments
Voted for "other"
I’m glad the J.R. Smith era in Denver is over, and am not a fan of his.
NuggetsFan99 - February 17, 2012
ditto
sivadselim - February 17, 2012
I second that!
SD_Nugget_Fan - February 17, 2012
Other....
Have fun with that New York. All the positive LInergy you have had lately is about to be thrown out of wack
TopherYork - February 17, 2012
it doesn't make much sense
I understand NY is in need of something resembling a bench but another ball stopper?
I suppose they can install the no assist line up once Baron Davis comes back: Davis, Smith, Anthony, Stoudemire and Chandler
Zachm219 - February 17, 2012 via iPhone app
JR wasn't a ball stopper
It went up the second it got in his hands.
Plea for Intelligence - February 17, 2012
Heh.
neumdaddy - February 17, 2012
Other
Nuggets East continues
though he does have the NY tat on his neck
NewEraNugg - February 17, 2012
You mean "YM" tattoo
NuggetsFan99 - February 17, 2012
as in "Young Money" baby!
NugNugz - February 17, 2012
I though the Raptors were the Nuggets East…
m_chan - February 17, 2012
I thought the Sixers were the Nuggets East...
TopherYork - February 17, 2012
After posting that I get now what ya'll are saying
Brain fart I know.
TopherYork - February 17, 2012
i thought the pacers...
aw forget it.
Patrick KB. Nugget - February 17, 2012
thats YM
“Young Money” Him and Chris Johnson are the only “Young Money” athletes… Rap start Lil Waynew runs “Young Money” Productions and it’s basically one of the Rap monopolies.
NastyNessy71 - February 17, 2012
Don't forget to mention the most important thing...
they make terrible music.
NuggetsFan99 - February 17, 2012
+1
JBnuggs - February 17, 2012
yea they suck pretty bad
I don’t mind Drake tho… his stuff is pretty good… Tygas not bad either.
NastyNessy71 - February 17, 2012
I can't get past the fact that Drake is
a) from Toronto
b) and the bigger issue, he was on a Canadian teenagers show (Degrassi) for a number of years.
He carries very little cred with me.
NugNugz - February 17, 2012
hahaha, my sister brings up the Canadian show all the time.
Jeff Morton’s favorite rapper … DRAKE!!!!!
Nate Timmons - February 17, 2012
uhhhhg.....Last name ever...first name worst!
Jeffrey Morton - February 17, 2012
haha you found it!
Nate Timmons - February 17, 2012
What are the perks of being a Young Money athlete
does anyone know? I mean it’s not like JR is cutting records.
NugNugz - February 17, 2012
Unlimited foosball priviliges at lil waynes house.
georgekarl - February 18, 2012
angry
I was having such a good time rooting against NY. Now I’m torn…
JBnuggs - February 17, 2012
I'm torn as well
I love JR. He did his best in Denver and truly liked it here. If it weren’t for some old guy, he would have been given a better chance to mature into a true star. Never materialized, but I can’t say that’s going to happen on this New York team either. Regardless, he is fun to watch and a much better playmaker than people give him credit for.
RoxWS2014 - February 17, 2012
A new crazy team!
I have no problem cheering for New York. It is the new crazy team in the NBA. If Lin keeps rolling, we are talking about all offense and no defense.
Can Melo pass, can Amare jump, can JR survive the night life! The intrigue..
And yes, I am definitely rooting for NY over Miami, Boston, and maybe even the Bulls.. why not? Eastern chaos!!!!!
No pressure on the Nuggets now.. they are so far under the radar.. they might as be underground.
djyoung71 - February 17, 2012
I don't know why JR didn't choose the Bulls
He could have made a name for himself. Now he is in the circus known as NYK.
As I said, I will still follow JR to whatever team he goes to, and it looks like my second favorite team in the NBA is the NY Knicks (though I am still hoping they will tank it in 2013 just cuz that 2014 draft pick will be that much better :)!!)
JR15 - February 17, 2012
This
If anything, I root hard for Lin because he is saving the Knicks this season and is ensuring they don’t get a lottery pick this season. As long as they don’t get an impactful player in the lottery, who knows how this team can combust by the time 2014 rolls around. Chandler, Melo and Amara (you know, the three most uncomplementary players to throw on NBA uniforms) essentially put the Knicks over the salary cap for the next 3 seasons with their salaries ALONE. If Lin leaves (or more likely if defenses learn how to guard him), we could be in line for a great pick in the midst of the rest of our team reaching the end of their develpments.
RoxWS2014 - February 17, 2012
Lin won't leave. He's a star here and oh yeah he's a restricted free agent. He'll be in NY for a long time averaging 9 apg.
Alexander_the_Great - February 17, 2012
Were you this optimistic
when you thought Amare was the answer? Didn’t work. Melo was for sure the missing piece? Oh no just kidding. But Tyson Chandler for sure? Not that either. But this time you’re sure about a a completely unproven player. Got it.
RoxWS2014 - February 17, 2012
I don't know what you're talking about? Are you inhabiting the same planet as me?
The only problem the Knicks had through the first 1/3 of the season was that they needed a PG. Not that I’d expect a Nuggets fan who doesn’t watch Knicks games to realize that. Record 7-0 since problem solved.
Alexander_the_Great - February 17, 2012
if I'm not mistaken at least 6 of those teams
were below .500
NugNugz - February 17, 2012
that is to say
I wouldn’t say your problem is resolved until you beat some real competition.
NugNugz - February 17, 2012
I wouldn't consider the Jazz, Lakers and Timberwolves bad competition. I think the Jazz beat the Nuggets this year too.
You go on any winning streak, some of those teams will be good, average or awful. The Knicks are certainly ready to play against the great teams.
But also Keep in mind that for 5 of those 7 wins the Knicks were playing, wtihout Melo or Amare, and with a starting lineup of Lin, Walker, Jeffries, Chandler and Fields. The Knicks were NOT better on paper.
Alexander_the_Great - February 17, 2012
meh
two of those three teams you mentioned are not even in the current playoff picture. I have a hard time conceding that they’re good competition. Bad? Absolutely not. But I’m not ready to anoint that all the Knicks’ problems are solved because they beat a bunch of non-playoff teams.
NugNugz - February 17, 2012
Another jaded Knicks fan...
NugzJunkie - February 17, 2012
Didn't a sub .500 team kick Denvers butt recently?
I can’t remember who it was but it rhymes with Olden Slate
georgekarl - February 18, 2012
Please be careful with pronouncements
They tend to come back and bite you in the ass, especially when pro sports are involved. I wish you and your Knicks well, and it’s a blast to see what’s going on since D’Antoni gave Lin the car keys. But no one can actually believe any major problem has been solved with so little evidence, especially since the lineup is still in flux:
Can you say “Carmelo, Baron and JR?” While those three names have brought goose bumps to millions of fans, they also cause shudders among coaching staffs all across the NBA. Let’s look in 20 games after the all-star break, and then we’ll decide what has and hasn’t been solved. Great problems to have, though!
LongWindedHank - February 17, 2012
Agreed.
Alexander_the_Great - February 17, 2012
Seriously, best wishes going forward from here
It’s great for the league when teams get it together, and that’s one thrilling lineup. The East needs more Beasts!
LongWindedHank - February 17, 2012
Love the new name btw
Army of Nugs - February 17, 2012
If the shoe fits...
LongWindedHank - February 17, 2012
Is it size 14?
Those are the only ones that fit me
Army of Nugs - February 17, 2012
Lin is a fine PG
But there is just as much evidence that the “answer” to your brief winning streak is the lack of Melo, as there is that the answer is Lin. You’ll argue, “they played the first game together.” The one where Melo shot 3-15 for 11 points. (Not that I’d expect a Knicks fan to understand Melo’s impact on a game after watching him play for under a season when a Nuggets fan has seen 8). This is my last response, as I know I’ve encouraged pointless bickering.
RoxWS2014 - February 17, 2012
As Longwindedhank expressed:
It’s too early to pronounce either are the real answers.
RoxWS2014 - February 17, 2012
Lin is no star. Solid player, but no star
NugzJunkie - February 17, 2012
one thought
Didn’t JR really look up to Melo when they played together for the Nugs? Maybe that was the attraction, maybe he just wanted to play with Melo again.
ParkHillNative - February 17, 2012
you can say "i don't know why" about nearly every decision jr has made in his life
bye bye linsanity. prepare for a heavy dose of ball stopping (melo) and INsanity (j.r.)
Patrick KB. Nugget - February 17, 2012
I LOVE JR SMITH
And honestly, I think if we had a different coach all these years, JR Smith would still be here today. I don’t think Karl did a great job with him. That being said, JR is a classic example of a kid with tons of talent but not with the mental toughness needed to succeed. I am happy for him but very very sad to see him on another team.
NugzJunkie - February 17, 2012
wonder where he fits into the Knicks rotation
he can play the 3 behind Melo, but seems like SG is more his natural spot. With Fields & Shump already, it would be a big deal I think if he dipped seriously into their time.
nugz4rollz - February 17, 2012
WHAT???
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO……..
To be continued
Army of Nugs - February 17, 2012
I really hope they give him the starting nod
Landry and Shumpert are both good, but are either as good as JR?
I was hoping for a good weekend, now I am just going to go cry
Army of Nugs - February 17, 2012
Knicks rotation now ... (as I see it)
PG: Lin / Shumpert (until Baron Davis is ready)
SG: Fields / Smith (wonder if JR will start?)
SF: Melo / Novak / Bill Walker
PF: Amar’e / Jeffries
C: Chandler /
Interesting lineup … crowded back-court.
Nate Timmons - February 17, 2012
I'm guessing Mike Bibby is the Towel boy at this point?
CloudBurst - February 17, 2012
at this point or since game 2?
NugNugz - February 17, 2012
don't know about the start
Lin/JR/Melo/Stat/Chandler? That’s a downright awful defensive group.
nugz4rollz - February 17, 2012
LOL@Knicks being awful defensively. They give up 6 fewer points per game than the Nuggets.
Vlaka.
Alexander_the_Great - February 17, 2012
Pace. You are on the wrong site to argue stats with people. Their are a few posters on here that do extremely in depth stats.
The nuggets only give up more due to there pace. They have more possession then every other team in the league except the Heat. Those 2 teams average around 4or5 more possessions a game over the rest of the league.
The U.N. Fab Five - February 17, 2012
they actually have a more efficient defense than we do
97.4 def efficiency for them against 100.6 for us. they also get to play against the dredges of the east a lot more, but the numbers dont lie
Kevin #3 - February 17, 2012
THIS
is why their D looks good. Have you gandered at the standings in the East. The East continues to be the Least.
NugzJunkie - February 17, 2012
And fine
the Knicks’ defense (who is playing without their biggest defensive liability) is comparable to the Nuggets (who have been playing without our top defensive players the past 2 weeks). I’ll give him that, sure.
RoxWS2014 - February 17, 2012
you can simply not compare the knicks to the nuggets statistically
drastically different defensively/offensively. not so much offensively with lin running the show and melo out, but that IS about to change.
Patrick KB. Nugget - February 17, 2012
also voted other
Thanks for all the great highlight reel memories, JR.
I figure he’ll work out about the same for the Knicks as he did here. Some nights he’ll get shit-hot and make eight or nine 3-pointers, other nights he’ll come out there and stink up the joint, make all manner of knuckleheaded plays. He’ll probably play noticeably better at MSG than on the road.
ParkHillNative - February 17, 2012
This is funny to me
because in my admittedly spotty memory, it seems JR made no more bonehead plays than Brewer or Rudy, while providing WAAAAAAYYYY more scoring punch and at least as much energy. Silly memory.
love4nuggets - February 17, 2012
Except JR takes about 50% more shots, and his "scoring punch" had several seasons to develop and congeal with his team.
Silly memory.
neumdaddy - February 17, 2012
same memory
Funny that we could both have the same silly memory. I remember a couple fellows named Billups and Iverson who also shot us out of a lot of big games. Must have been dreaming on that one
paterade - February 17, 2012
LOL.
You are so correct!
georgekarl - February 18, 2012
I voted ANGRY
even tho im not really angry, just sad. =( And sad wasnt as option. Bye Bye JR =(
NastyNessy71 - February 17, 2012
You are not the only one looking for the sad option
Army of Nugs - February 17, 2012
You guys want to know why JR wen to the Knicks...several things
More money
Carmelo Anthony
Mark Warkentien
Wark was JR’s buddy and protector in Denver…it helps that he is now part of the staff in NY.
Jeffrey Morton - February 17, 2012
i agree
As much as JR pissed people off here I still will miss him a lot. He is one of the most freakish 2 guards and athletes in the game. Just a blast to watch. It will be weird seeing him in a different uni
NastyNessy71 - February 17, 2012
JR, the Nuggets, and The Knicks
No way JR was gonna play for GK again
That relationship was mutually incompatable.
I still love the current Nugget roster with one Big caveat: When Everyone is Healthy…a fantasy I know…
The Knicks have quickly become a dangerous team. Like the Nuggets when healthy. They still lack some depth, but JR makes them better with his versatility. Now it’s all about Coach D’Antoni…Can he turn them into a cohesive unit that plays defense? Can Melo and JR work in harmony with Linsanity?
Nuggburg - February 17, 2012 via mobile
Entertaining at the very least
Very interested to see JR play for someone other than Karl. They probably wont start him, but I hope they do. Ive always wanted to see JR in a starting role with extended playing time.
gonugs - February 17, 2012
So, the Knicks have to waive Balkman to make room for JR?
JR is essentially ending his bro’s NBA career.
NuggetsFan99 - February 17, 2012
I cannot believe they kept Bibby and waived Balkman...Yikes
NugzJunkie - February 17, 2012
seriously?
whoa
ParkHillNative - February 17, 2012
the irony is not lost on me.
NugNugz - February 17, 2012
Ha
this will be interesting to see.
Phil H. - February 17, 2012
They should trade Melo
Lin/Smith backcourt, trade Melo for some more pieces.. they are better without Melo, sounds familiar?
CloudBurst - February 17, 2012
They would be so good right now if they had kept Gallo, Moz, Chandler
I assume they still could have signed Ty Chandler. Oh man what a stacked team if Lin had still emerged(guess that would have been a big if)
Phil H. - February 17, 2012
they wouldn't of took Lin from the D-League
They would of kept Felton, Linsanity would never of happened without the Melo/Gallo trade.
CloudBurst - February 17, 2012
Bingo
Why does everyone always want to live in the world of….If Only
Nuggburg - February 17, 2012 via mobile
That's why I said it was a big if
although they still would have needed a backup PG
Phil H. - February 17, 2012
Watching JR drain 11 3 pointers at the pepsi center was one of the most entertaining sporting events of my life
George Karl Marx - February 17, 2012
Yes, I was there also. AMAZING NIGHT
NugzJunkie - February 17, 2012
Interesting piece about two of our rookies on espn as who could be the next jeremy lin
Kevin #3 - February 17, 2012
i love me some Julyan Stone
i light it up with that dude on NBA 2k12. In limited minutes behind Lawson and Miller he gives me 6/6/6 this dude’s got the devil on his side!
NugNugz - February 17, 2012
D'Antoni on JR...
-From the ESPN article linked in the story above…
Nate Timmons - February 17, 2012
Starter in LA
or bench in NYC? I would have taken the lesser amount of money thqat would have netted me a lot more this upcoming offseason
Army of Nugs - February 17, 2012
over/under 1.5 fights at the Garden involving Melo and JR?
TheMozgovCocktail - February 17, 2012
my bad I mean 0.5
TheMozgovCocktail - February 17, 2012
That's a dumb bet theres already been 1 so your first comment makes more since.
The U.N. Fab Five - February 17, 2012
What I can't believe is that JR will be on the same team with Jefferies
The guy that horse collar tackled him to the ground
The U.N. Fab Five - February 17, 2012
It was actually Mardy Collins that took JR down on the hard foul
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4410889144887288309
Nate Timmons - February 17, 2012
Goodbye to Earl and Good riddance to JR
Always referred to him by his given name when he did well.
I’m really going to miss those visions of him actually achieving his potential as they danced through my head while I watched him score in bunches. I’m really not going to miss the inconsistent behavior (on- and off-court), the “meh” work ethic or what the hell? defense.
He has been the single most frustrating athlete I have ever watched and I both loved and loathed him for it. Sadly, just another $10million talent/10cent head athlete.
I wish Earl all of the best in NYC, but I will not mourn his departure. Not sure where that fits in the poll.
Randall15 - February 17, 2012
Most happy team in NBA today
should be Miami heat… if JR had gone to Bulls (assuming Rose is healthy), that series would have been one hell of a series…. Bulls seriously lack one pure shooter and JR could have put them over Heat…
OTOH, Knicks are going to be unpredictable… I would definitely cheer them over Miami heat, but I don’t see them JR Smith away from going deep
If JR had played for Bulls and Bulls win east, he could have parrlayed it into a nice contract…
as far as nuggets go, Karl is very fixed and i did not see a future for JR here in denver.
Kumar_98 - February 18, 2012
I'm happy that JR is welcomed to a new home
Sad that he chose the Knicks where he knew he wouldn’t be a starter but he is also great off the bench. If he’s happy with that so am I.
Too bad Denver didn’t get Landry in last years trade. He was the guy I would have wanted over Chandler.
georgekarl - February 18, 2012
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