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Denver Nuggets: 3 reasons why J.R. Smith would be a great signing

By Quenton S. Albertie

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 19: (M) Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets talks with his teammates in the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game One of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 19, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 19: (M) Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets talks with his teammates in the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game One of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 19, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 07: J.R. Smith #5 of the Denver Nuggets celebrates after making a basket against the Charlotte Bobcats during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on December 7, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 07: J.R. Smith #5 of the Denver Nuggets celebrates after making a basket against the Charlotte Bobcats during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on December 7, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Shooting

Of course, age eventually affects athleticism but Smith remains one of the league’s better athletes despite being in his mid-30s. That’s what allows him to be a plus-defender when he’s locked in.

Smith also retains his reputation as a 3-point specialist, having knocked down 37.3% of his threes for his career and ranking 13th in all-time 3-point field goals made (1,930).

Although Smith has only made 13-50 (26.0%) of his threes over the last two seasons, the first reason why he would be a great signing for Denver is because of his perimeter shooting. The Nuggets, who only made 35.9% of their 3-point attempts last season (ranked 15th in the league), have consistently had difficulty capitalizing on their opportunities behind-the-line.

With the importance now placed on long-distance shots, Denver can quickly find themselves behind the eight ball simply by being inefficient from 3-point range and unable to keep up. Considering that they took 30.6 threes per game last season (26th in the NBA), they were already losing an uphill battle on the perimeter.

The player that Smith is most likely to replace in the rotation, Torrey Craig, is a career 32.0% shooter from three. Add to that the fact that Craig has taken 2.4 threes per game where Smith has taken 5.3 per game and the improvement that J.R. would make from deep is clear.

To make it all the better, Smith can knock down threes with proficiency whether he’s spotting up or pulling up.