With a quick release and plenty of height to shoot over defenders, Linas Kleiza was a Lithuanian laser.
As part of a month-long tribute to the most notable and memorable players in franchise history, we are taking a look at the Denver Nuggets from A to Z.
K is for Kleiza, a confident small forward who could muscle up when necessary in the paint and spot up to provide instant offense beyond the 3-point line.
Kleiza, acquired in a draft-night trade from the Portland Trail Blazers in 2005, spent four seasons with the Nuggets. He averaged 8.3 points and was a key contributor off the bench as the Nuggets advanced to the Western Conference Finals in 2009.
After playing limited minutes as a rookie in 2005-06, Kleiza became a fixture in the rotation the following year. At 6-8, 245 pounds , he created matchup problems on the wing with his ability to shoot 3s and bang in the low post.
Kleiza continued his strong play off the bench in 2008-09, helping the Nuggets match the franchise record with 54 wins. He averaged 9.9 points during the regular season and hit 17-of-40 3-pointers during Denver’s playoff run.
Kleiza left the Nuggets in the summer of 2009 to accept a contract offer in Greece before joining the Toronto Raptors in 2010. He also was a longtime member of the Lithuanian national team, and he now plays in Europe.
Game to remember, Jan. 17, 2008
Making a spot start in place of injured center Nene, Kleiza hit four 3-pointers and scored a career-high 41 points as Denver beat the Utah Jazz 120-109 at Pepsi Center. He joined Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson and J.R. Smith as the four Nuggets to score at least 40 points in a game that season.