Denver Nuggets: Our Top 5 International Players of All Time

Linas Kleiza -#5

A cold and blistery Thursday game in mid-January in 2008 doesn’t seem a likely candidate to become a game you’ll always remember.

On this particular night though, then Nuggets forward Linas Kleiza erupted for 41 points on a team that featured one of the highest scoring duos in NBA history, Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony. The Lithuanian got himself to the free throw line early then hit a few long range shots off of Allen Iverson drive and kicks. Kleiza attacked the rim mercilessly, at one point driving through Paul Millsap and throwing down a nasty one handed jam on Andrei Kirilenko‘s head.

The lane kept opening up and the looks kept coming as Kleiza remained on fire all evening. When the final buzzer sounded, Kleiza had 41 points on 13-21 shooting, including 4-8 from 3. While this particular night was his best, Kleiza’s four seasons in Denver were filled with consistency and class as a primary back up for Carmelo Anthony.

A streaky shooter, but when he was on, Kleiza was one of the more deadly sharpshooters in the game at the time. When on the court, Kleiza was generally the first player down the floor as he was exceptional at running the break. He also held his own under the rim scrapping for rebounds.

Kleiza has NBA career averages of 8.7ppg and 3.7rpg and last played for Emporio Armani Milano in Serie A basketball league in Italy.

Next: #4