Thunder notebook: J.R. Smith, Nuggets looking for ‘a pulse'

 
BY JOHN ROHDE | Published: April 21, 2011    Comment on this article Leave a comment

Denver Nuggets reserve guard J.R. Smith said there's a “strong possibility” he won't sign with the team as a free agent, expressing frustration after the Nuggets' 106-89 loss in Game 2 of their opening-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

photo - Oklahoma City's Nick Collison and James Harden watch Denver's J.R. Smith fall to the court as he tries to make a play during the first round NBA Playoff basketball game between the Thunder and the Nuggets at OKC Arena in downtown Oklahoma City on Wednesday, April 20, 2011. The Thunder beat the Nuggets 106-89 and lead the series 2-0. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma City's Nick Collison and James Harden watch Denver's J.R. Smith fall to the court as he tries to make a play during the first round NBA Playoff basketball game between the Thunder and the Nuggets at OKC Arena in downtown Oklahoma City on Wednesday, April 20, 2011. The Thunder beat the Nuggets 106-89 and lead the series 2-0. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman

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“There's a strong possibility as of right now,” Smith told The Denver Post on Thursday. “It's not going the way I planned it to go. It's a tough situation. I want to be here, I love the fans and everything about the city. It's just maybe not my fit.”

Denver trails the series 2-0, with Game 3 on Saturday at 9 p.m. The Nuggets had a team meeting Thursday, and Smith said the team didn't have “a pulse” as they met at Pepsi Center.

“Just frustration, just really didn't have any life in there,” Smith said. “No one was really into it.”

AWARD PRESENCE

Several Thunder players have received consideration for various NBA awards this season.

Minnesota's Kevin Love was named the league most improved player on Thursday. OKC point guard Russell Westbrook finished seventh in the voting and received three first-place votes. Forward Serge Ibaka got one second-place vote and one third-place vote.

Orlando's Dwight Howard won his third straight defensive player of the year award. Ibaka got two second-place votes and six third-place votes while guard Thabo Sefolosha got four third-place votes.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom won the sixth man award. Thunder reserve guard James Harden finished seventh in the voting.

NICK/RAY COMBO

Thunder reserve power forward Nick Collison fondly recalled a playoff victory in Game 4 at Sacramento while with the Seattle SuperSonics his rookie season in 2004-05.

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