http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_5637257 Kleiza credits A.I. for long-range success By Jim Armstrong Denver Post Staff Columnist Article Last Updated: 04/11/2007 12:02:26 AM MDT A whole lotta notes. ... It's April and the Nuggets' go-to 3-point shooter is ... Linas Kleiza? You could look it up, but since you're in a hurry this morning, I did it for you. Kleiza at .389 is the Nuggets' best shooter from beyond the arc. But it's the numbers behind the numbers that tell the real story. Here are Kleiza's month-by-month shooting percentages from downtown since the start of the season: .143, .333, .360, .385, .434 and .462. Not bad for a guy who made two 3-pointers in his entire rookie season. What gives? Two things. First, there's nothing like burying a few shots and getting extra minutes to make a young player's confidence soar. And second? Kleiza says you can credit Allen Iverson with an assist in his dramatic improvement. "He's been great," Kleiza said. "Every time, he tells me, 'Just shoot it.'It gives you a lot of confidence knowing he's got that kind of trust in me and his teammates." ... George Karl, on Kleiza: "He's one of the best young professionals I've ever coached. Reminds me a little bit of a Detlef Schrempf. He comes to the gym with a very serious attitude, a very professional attitude." ... As for Kleiza's improved D, "I'm feeling comfortable playing him at different positions," Karl said. "I remember at the beginning of the year how teams were always icing him and just going at his defense. And now he's covering Kobe Bryant in the fourth quarter of a big game." ... Let me see if I've got this straight. Carmelo Anthony wanted to cover Kobe on Monday night? Maybe the Nuggets have grown as tired as the rest of us of this one-and-done stuff in the playoffs. ... --

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