Feb, 8 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard John Jenkins (23) celebrates with guard Kendren Johnson (2) during a time out against the Louisiana State Tigers during the second half at Memorial Gym. The Commodores beat the Tigers 76-61. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-US PRESSWIRE

The Denver Nuggets don’t really have any glaring needs going into the offseason, but if there was one it would be shooting the ball (and also defending the perimeter).

The Nuggets were the third worst 3-point shooting team in the playoffs and were tied for 23rd during the regular season. Their best statistical shooters from behind the arc last season were Arron Afflalo at .398 percent and Ty Lawson at .365. However, neither one of the two is considered a dangerous shooter.

Enter John Jenkins, who one of the most underrated players in the NBA Draft. Jenkins is a prolific scorer, with insanely  deep range. He has one of the quickest releases in basketball and can get his shot off over just about anybody. He also has good enough ballhandling skills to set up his own shot.

However, where he is going to be special at the next level is his ability as a spot up shooter. He has a super quick release and can get his shot off with great fundamentals given even the slightest bit of room. He also mirrors Ray Allen and Rip Hamilton with his relentless ability to work off screens and finding open spots on the floor.

It’s fair to say he was the best shooter in college basketball (edging out Kentucky’s Doron Lamb). Jenkins shot over .40 percent during each of his three seasons at Vanderbilt and raised his game each year, finishing his career with a 19.9 points average during his junior year. He barely misses from the charity stripe, too, and at a workout back in May, Jenkins nailed 12 of 15 shots from NBA range.

Some scouts may worry how Jenkins will matchup against larger defenders in the NBA, but at Vanderbilt he had to get creative to score the ball since he was the focal point of the defense – which would sometimes throw two to three defenders at him.

Jenkins also is not tall, listed at 6-foot-4, but he has a 6-8 wingspan. He is also more athletic than most people give him credit. His max vertical leap was right on par with top prospect Michael Kidd Gilchrist.

The best comparison for him at the next level is JJ Redick and Anthony Morrow, but if he ends up with the Nuggets he may be the best shooter George Karl has had since Wesley Person.

It also doesn’t hurt that Jenkins is a fan of Corey Brewer, Denver’s energy player off the bench, from his days back in Florida.

Of course the question is where do the Nuggets draft Jenkins? They could draft him with the 20th pick, which may too high for a player that will just be a shooter at the next level. Or they can hope he slides to 38th. They also could use both their second round picks (38th and 50th) and try to get another late first round pick. The Chicago Bulls (29th) and Golden State (30th) each would be two teams willing to trade their late picks. The Bulls are the more likely, since there are talks that they aren’t going to pick up CJ Watson’s player option and they are also expected to part ways with Kyle Korver and Ronnie Brewer. Trading out of the first round would also help cut costs.

Jenkins isn’t going to lift the Nuggets over the top, but he’d fit a need on a squad that doesn’t have many.

Kenyon Martin trying to lead a fast break is probably not a good idea.

So many things went wrong Monday night and  it’s hard to put a finger on where to start. But hey if you missed it, all you have to do is watch the last three minutes of each quarter to see who won the game. During that stretch the Jazz outscored the Nuggets 42-19 as they closed out each quarter. The Nuggets were their own worst enemy during that same stretch, turning the ball over 10 times during that time frame. They had 17 turnovers for the game.

First quarter

• 3:38: The Nuggets are barely holding onto a 21-20 lead when Kenyon Martin steals a pass from Kyle Korver. However, instead of giving the ball to Chauncey Billups or Carmelo Anthony or even JR Smith, K-Mart decides to play point guard and leads a 1-on-3 fast-break (not sure when the Nuggets have ever won with K-Mart leading a fast-break). But, Deron Williams steals the ball and gets a fast-break going the other way. A flagrant foul later and a pair of free throws by Paul Millsap and it is potentially a six-point swing.
• 2:48: JR Smith attempts his first shot of the game and surprisingly it isn’t a smart one. Nope it is an off-balance 3-point shot with 18 seconds left on the shot clock. When has he ever made a shot like that to start the game?
• 1:32: Williams sets up Carlos Boozer for an easy layup and the Nuggets responded with Smith’s second shot of the game this time it is a trey to beat the shot clock. Needless to say JR Smith finished the first quarter: 0-3 from the field and all three shots were from behind the arc and the Nuggets were down by three at the end of the first.

Second quarter

• 2:53 and 2:08: Ty Lawson just drew an offensive foul on Williams (and is immediately replaced by Smith) and the Nuggets responded with an offensive foul on Melo (the worst call of the night because Williams flopped) and it is followed with another charge – this one on Billups.
• 1:45: Melo beats the defense down the court, but Billups pass is short and Wesley Matthews steals the ball and than drains a trey. Five-point swing in favor the Jazz.
• :53: Chris ‘The Birdman’ Andersen is called for three seconds, it was a call that Utah was asking for earlier in the game and they finally got it. The Jazz responded to score the final four points of the half.

Third quarter

• 2:33: Game is tied and Melo is called for an offensive call (his second of the game).
• 1:15: Korver makes a clutch jumper off of a screen and than draws an offensive foul on Smith. Korver comes back down and hits another jumper to put the Jazz up by six. Somebody must not have told JR that Korver can shoot.

Fourth quarter

• 2:32: Nene just dunked the ball to put Denver up by three and fans at the Pepsi Center start breathing easier, thinking it is Nuggets time. However, the Nuggets defense somehow forgot about Williams who scores his only basket of the second half to cut the deficit to one.
• 1:44: Melo tries to drive to the basket, but Millsap ripes the ball away and calls a time out. And out of the time out Korver drains a three.  Potentially a five-point swing.
• 1:17: Melo is called for an offensive foul, but no repercussion as Anthony steals the ball back and finds Billups who is then fouled by Williams. But Billups misses his first free throw, which could have tied the game. One-point swing in favor of the Jazz.
• :40: Nene just drew a charge on Korver, but Korver comes back to draw a foul on Billups to give the ball back to the Jazz. (Both great calls and great plays).
• :25: Melo fouls CJ Miles for his sixth and final foul of the game, but Bill Spooner missed Miles blatant stepping out of bounds. Miles makes both free throws and Melo is out of the game. Potentially a four-point swing.

Stats the last three minutes of each quarter

• Nuggets went 5-of-19 from the field (3-7 in the first quarter); Jazz went 11-of-16 from the field
• Nuggets missed all eight of their 3-pointers
• Jazz made all three of their 3-pointers
• Denver was called for six offensive fouls
• Utah was called for one offensive foul.

The duo of Wesley Matthews and CJ Miles frustrated Melo on Monday.

All photos are the courtesy of Jonathan Maness