Denver Nuggets Left Wondering: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Smith?

The most important player in the Nuggets playoff run—Melo?  Nope.  AI?  Wrong again.

One need look no further than high-flying 22-year-old JR Smith.  He's the ridiculous athlete and amazing dunker who sometimes, when he’s really feeling it, can make seven of 10 three-pointers in a single quarter.

Fresh out of George Karl’s doghouse, no player has been a bigger spark this season for the Nuggets.  Don’t get me wrong, Iverson has been his spectacular self.  But nobody has brought me to my feet in enthusiasm quite like JR.

When he’s in the zone, JR is a ball of energy driving to the basket and knocking down threes.  He’s moving the ball, making (mostly) good decisions, and more importantly giving the Nuggets that much needed shot in the arm.

He’s virtually unstoppable…

Virtually.

Ultimately, it seems that the one person capable of stopping JR—is JR.  It feels like each time I’m convinced, ready to go out, and buy that No. 1 jersey,  I’m also reminded why JR has already been scorned and benched by multiple NBA coaches in his young career.

I’m not sure which is more frustrating, Carmelo’s constant trouble or JR’s fluctuating play.

One moment Smith is pulling up from any and every spot on the floor, draining threes as if he’s shooting into a hoola hoop.  The next, he’s making careless turnovers and desperately launching shots trying to get back into that oh-so elusive groove.

JR has even stymied George Karl’s old school methods.  It seems that an exasperated Karl has reluctantly come to the conclusion that JR’s brilliant offensive spurts outweigh the bonehead plays.

The organization needs to face the fact, whether they like it or not, that JR Smith is crucial to any hope they have for a playoff run past the first round.

The Nuggets are relying on JR to continue his great play. If he can maintain his focus and play smart, the Nuggets have the potential to make a serious run in the brutal Western Conference.

But if JR finds himself committing blatant turnovers and missing shots, he might just as easily find himself back at the end of Karl’s bench on the way to an early first round exit.

I’m confident that AI’s going to show up in the playoffs this year with an even bigger chip on his shoulder and determined to make up for last year’s poor performance.

Melo will continue his solid play into the postseason.  If anything, I think his most recent DUI arrest will just motivate him to be more aggressive and hit the boards harder.  

I fully expect these two stars to show up to these playoffs on a mission and ready to do whatever it takes.

I have no idea what to expect from JR Smith.  This is why he is the team’s most important player entering the playoffs.

For the Nuggets to have any chance against the Lakers, they will need more than just Anthony and Iverson scoring points.  As often as the Nuggets are criticized for their defense, their inconsistent offensive support from the rest of the team has been a major factor in their losses.

For now it seems that JR has found his place in the dysfunctional family of the Denver Nuggets.

His play of late has been mostly dazzling, putting up big points and making smart decisions.  He’s playing with confidence and has a swagger that’s unlike any I’ve seen since he’s been sporting a Nuggets uniform.

But who knows how long it’ll last?  Is this the beginning of greatness? Or will JR slip back into mediocrity on the big stage?

When it comes down to it, the Nuggets’ playoff hopes might very well rest on that intangible factor that allows JR to go on his unbelievable shooting streaks.

Face it Nuggets fans, JR is going to make stupid turnovers and take shots that leave you scratching your head.  But he will also bring a barrage of highlight 360 alley-oops, soaring slams, and 38-foot three-pointers.

Few players in this league are as wonderfully gut-wrenching as JR.  While I might curse each three-point heave as it leaves his hands, as long as it finds the bottom of the net, I’m very forgiving.   

JR is a potential SportsCenter Top 10 every time he touches the ball.  And as exciting as it is for me to watch, the acrobatic dunks and three-finger hand signs won’t matter once the playoffs start.

The Nuggets are headed to Los Angeles on Sunday.

And headband or not, JR better be ready.