WHO IS JR SMITH?????????
Who is JR Smith today? THE MOST DANGEROUS UNDERRATED/UNDER-PAID SG IN THE HISTORY OF THE NBA!
It is undeniable Smith has brought most of this on himself. He is the one who has failed to live up to his talent. He is the one who has made mistakes on, and most tragically, off the court. He is the one who has chosen to storm off the court and remove himself from his team.
Despite all of this, I, for one, still hold out hope that Smith, 26, can prove his detractors wrong.
Smith burst onto the scene sharing Most Valuable Player honors with another young phenom named Dwight Howard in the 2004 McDonald’s all-American game, which included other young talents like Josh Smith, Rajon Rondo, Rudy Gay, Marvin Williams and LaMarcus Aldridge. That night, J.R. Smith drained five 3-pointers and threw down a slew of nasty dunks. After the game, he claimed he was inspired by the presence of a young N.B.A. star sitting courtside named Carmelo Anthony. That night ignited his N.B.A. career.
Despite his tremendous abilities, after his second season in the league, he saw two teams give up on him in less than a week. He was traded from New Orleans to Chicago after two years of clashing with Hornets Coach Byron Scott. Chicago shipped him to Denver six days later in exchange for Howard Eisley’s nonguaranteed contract and two conditional second-round picks. It was a trade John Hollinger claimed would become known as the most one-sided trade of all time.
The Nuggets had been desperate for a shooting guard who could actually shoot since the days of Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. Denver was also searching for a second scorer who could take some of the weight off Anthony’s shoulders. Smith seemed to be the answer on both counts.
EIGHT seasons later, here we are. The book on Smith’s career has already been closed. He is the shooter without a conscience, the player who never fulfilled his boundless promise.
I have watched Smith closely ever since he took the McDonald’s game by storm, and I believe the book needs to be reopened. For all the limitations that are thought to be part of Smith’s game, the truth is there is nothing he cannot do on the basketball court.
The long-range bombs and dynamic dunks are just a small part of Smith’s repertory. Most fans are unaware of his fantastic passing skills, his ability to drive and finish with either hand, his rebounding acumen and his defensive abilities. There were times in Denver when he even played point guard and did it quite well.
I have seen Smith run an underutilized and deadly pick and roll with Nene enough to know that he can help Amar’e Stoudemire get more easy looks at the rim. I have seen Smith take over games, not with his long-range shot, but with his ability to drive and finish at the rim. I have seen Smith take the responsibility of covering Kobe Bryant and not get embarrassed in doing so. And of course I have seen Smith drain 3-pointer after 3-pointer as the crowd explodes in adoration.
I cannot guarantee Smith will do all of those things, especially not all in the same game. It is certainly possible that his time as The Man in China, where he averaged a league-leading 34.4 points per game, has only served to solidify his bad habits.
What happens from here depends largely on whether Smith can heed instruction. He earned the tag of not responding to guidance through his early conflict with Scott and through Karl’s open frustration. However, there are many fans in Denver who believe Karl was the wrong coach for Smith. With a team full of headaches over the years in players like Allen Iverson, Kenyon Martin and even Anthony, Smith was lost in the shuffle. In fact, on one occasion when pressed with why he did not do what Karl would ask of him, Smith responded that he would go long stretches without Karl even talking to him.
Now Smith will be under the tutelage of a more player-friendly coach in Mike Woodson. There is no system more tailor-made for Smith’s talents than Woodson's style. Smith very well could play the role of Joe Johnson to Ray Felton's Steve Nash. Smith will be unstoppable taking advantage of his catch and shoot opportunities set up by Ray, the possibilities in transition and his ability to devastate an unprepared defense with his penetration.
By Re-signing with the Knicks, Earl Smith III is in position to recreate the narrative that has hung around his neck like a millstone since his days in New Orleans. My sincere hope is that both he and Knicks fans embrace that opportunity. I believe that is who Earl Smith III is today!
Its not business, just personal,
"Until Wednesday, not one member of the Knicks hierarchy had commented on Jeremy Lin’s shocking exit in mid-July.
Perhaps MSG sports president Scott O’Neil did in his own way when he announced he was leaving the Garden.
O’Neil oversaw the Knicks’ and Rangers’ marketing and season-ticket operation and the move comes just 1½ months after the Knicks’ prized marketing cash cow, Lin, was allowed to sign with the Rockets when owner James Dolan and the Knicks failed to match Houston’s offer sheet.
Sources said O’Neil opposed the decision to let Lin leave. It could prove to be a major marketing loss as the Knicks brace for the onslaught of the Nets in Brooklyn.
In March, O’Neil struck a deal with Coke to run ads in Chinese because of Lin.
“These ads will provide exceptional branding for Coke and be an open for business sign for MSG that will be seen around the world,’’ O’Neil told The Post at the time. “We continue to be amazed and appreciate the response that Jeremy and the Knicks receive from fans around the country during our games and globally across our digital platforms and TV.’’
A person close to O’Neil said he will be back in the sports industry and could return to the NBA office where he once oversaw business operations. The Garden said it would begin a search for O’Neil’s replacement.
In a statement Wednesday, O’Neil said, “My time at The World’s Most Famous Arena has been nothing short of incredible and I am proud of our results.’’
The Garden’s statement read: “We are grateful for Scott’s years of service and his many contributions to the company, and wish him the very best of luck as he moves forward.’’
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Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/msg_neil_resigns_post_QgYRescpsD2BTZu0ZpOFJL#ixzz25hCyNYpA
The last part was MSG speak for "stop screaming at me like I'm D.Walsh.I got options and you're still short and dumb."
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Why wouldn't think we are going to win a chip?
We have potentially the most dangerous offensive three starters in the league in Melo , JR and Amare. We have two 7 foot defensive beasts in Chandler and Camby with Kirt Thomas knocking a few people down to close the eazy pass lane. We have a Bruce Bowan type defender coming off the bench at 6'7 and can guard multiple positions. We have Novak who can break open a game in 10 minutes. We have Kidd who can provide 10 minutes of Chip type guidance. If the Felton we traded comes back ( 9 dimes a game) we will be one hell of a team.
I feel this is our year and could give a shit if no one believes it but me.
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@Peaceman ...Here is where i stand on our Knicks...You are all pumped up for this team for this season,but as hard as i try,i cannot see this team winning anything close to a championship.Even if Everything goes our way,i dont see us getting past the 2nd round.Anything you can say positive about these players,i feel i can refute.first of all most Knicks fans look at the rashard lewis signing and say"He aint got it no more" but look at ourselves getting Jason Kidd,and they think of a J Kidd who is five years younger.Me?i hope he does well,but i can also see him as a corpse,too old to run,too old to do it,kinda like Bibby last year.NEXTKurt Thomas...to me...Def WASHED UP,,,Prigoni:...not good enough to matter......SHuMp! out most of the season maybe next year....Chandler,,i woudve been happier if hed skipped the O games,heald his wounds(he has his wrist problems whic got worse playn for team USA..fans ,media,relatives of J.R....all say he shoulda been better by now...I say he is what he is a wld player who sometimes gets hot but mostly no hoop sense...chris brewer good pick upplays dee,but im not expecting Bruce Bowanour starting PG R Felton the half year he was here it was Dantonis offense...made Ray ray look good good,,,but doesnot tickle my ivories,Camby:::i hope he has somethin left and should...so the off season brought us no proven talent ,,,,,just guys who used to do it,maybe they can again or not...that brings us to Melo and Stat....im sure we will all be waitin for that chem to click,in my book....IT WONT!we seen this old movie two guys who wanna both be the stars,not a good formula...if it were Nash instead of Kidd id say maybe cuz Nash never seems to get old...still have no 2G,injury to Amare here,injury to chandler there...this team doent make it past rd #2any way you cut it,we cant beat,LBJ,Wade,Bosch,Lewis etc
@Peaceman ....this is exactly what im saying.If it were the Knicks that signed Lewis n Ray Allen,and Miami who had signed Kidd n Camby,Youd be sayn the same thing "Miami sucks ,Kidd n Camby have nothin left,Woodson is the perfect coach to revive Rashard Lewis career,Ray Allen is the best shooter in history" etc etc......you see what i mean?
We have a saying here...TWT. Here''s another TTTF= too talented to fail. Miami is not that good, I've heard Wade is hurting pretty serious. Lewis? You've got to be kidding? He's turning into Bibby. faster than Lin turns the ball over. Enjoy the ride or get a big fat "I told you so!"
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@Auggie @Peaceman When Gulf+Western owned the team, it seamed as though they could never get it right or they just went along for the write-offs. Steady believes that CBS preceded them and only to have programming. Some teams are just happy to collect tax revenues, sell merchandises, and be the Generals or patsies to the rest of the league. As fans and especially as New Yorkers we expect more. We don't practice what we preach when it comes to BB because we instinctively "know the game". NYC fans expect everyone to buckle because they're in the Mecca. FuhgetaboutIT. So consider the forecasts here as intense fanatics or banter from the nagging sidepiece who refuses to accept "side" "piece" as two words seperated during F.A. period and not to return as comrades in love nor war. If you misremember this narrative or have another one to share, please do so.
Just Bloguin
Steady
NYKFL
@Peaceman listen man,i dont know how long you have been a fan of the Knicks,but when you say"why wouldnt you think that we are going to win a chip" ? although i have many answers to that queery,just because we are the Knicks....that should be enough if youve been following closely.I used to be just like you,everytime we added a new guy,i would get all pumped up and explain to all my friends why this Piece is gonna be the one that puts us over the top...wish i could continue but im off to work now...see ya about 2 AM
@Peaceman sorry i think you all misunderstood.....im not talkin bout Knicks fanatics,i was speaking of TKB.I need to be pulled outta there(& into here). ...and no ,i didnt work in a camp in Germany around 1942....Ooops,i mean in a camp in upstate NY
@Auggie @Peaceman A bit better. No beef, just veggies. The beauty about the blogosphere is that you are free to roam and squat where the fandom suits you. Clearly someone in these here parts thought highly of Auggie and to brand him the coveted Fanatics for Life designation. So welcome back of sorts. Here, the faithfuls are not immune to silly season tom foolery, bombastic hyperbole, youthful exuberance couched in fanaticism or even racialist rants couched in fanaticism. A Just Bloguin moniker was created for those Blogga. The straws who stir this drink will come by to give you keys and clean sheets for yo biznis.
Steady as IT goes.
NYKFL
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@Auggie Is IT captive or captivated? These are the dog days of summer Blogga. How's that for intellect? Say, did Auggie ever work at a camp in upstate NY? We got to learn that one bad apple can spoil a whole bunch (of other bad apples in the bunch). Also, you tell on yourself by the company you keep and in the manner that you speak.
IT was a great summer!
Just Bloguin
Steady as IT goes.
NYKFL
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IT could be nostalgia or hopeful revisionism. Did you bloggas notice that our side will have the nation's Top 3 ballers from 200--02 in Melo, STAT and Ray-Ray? Time Did Tell.
Steady
NYKFL
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Here's an appeal for Marcus Camby to get in the gym to lose that old man weight. Not hatin' MC, we all get up there and out there. However, remember how much more effective you can be playing above the rim. You get to sleigh the dragons of the past that kept you ringless--no shiny stuff. Get a ring and your name goes into the HOF conversations. Try IT!!
Steady as IT goes.
NYKFL
"Melo wants to bring Olympic 'mentality' back to Knicks"
He'd have to bring back Coach K if he really wanted that.Coach K brought him off the bench for O,then sat him for D situ's. ie last game with Spain.I'm not sure he really wants that.
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/msg_net_income_more_than_triples_mDhsbLoXpwcrpsRzr9wIXL
For all those who think getting rid of Lin or Fields was a financial decision.Money had very little to do with it.
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Spoke to a dude who watches HS BBall in Jersey. Love Smith in HS wondered what went wrong. We likened him to a Sprewell type at is best- meaning if he'd get his head together. Is that possible?????? TWT.
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@Orange_and_Blue You go to college to continue learning from someone who has something to offer.JR hasn't gotten better.Guess why?
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@Tman Do you think the Woodson JR Smith mentor ship thin well help Smith turn that corner. OR is an offensive guy needed for that?
@Orange_and_Blue @Peaceman I'm not the one who fired him.Although I agree he'd done as much as he was capable of doing.
@Orange_and_Blue @Peaceman You have lemons you make lemonade.That ATL squad was a long way from lemons.The question was what Woody made with his talent.The answer is they underachieved and most students of the game agreed on that.Coaching is part of what makes you a contender.He failed and was fired after 4 yrs.Wasn't that long enough to produce a contender?Many other coaches with more or less talent did more.ie Doc in Orlando or the present OKC coach when he replaced Carlissimo.It's not me that needs a "nice try".Lets see how Woody does with this crew.He won a lot of games by the efforts of guys taking many insults.It's all his team now.We'll see how good a coach he really is.No doubt he's a decent old school guy, but so was the guy let go in ATL.I'm not seeing the difference yet.TWT
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Horford undersized center (really a 4), Smith a talented but inconsistent at tmes knuckleheaded small forward, Joe Johnson plays in spurts and is not as consistent as that fat contract he signed, Kirk Heinrich once a good defender and serviceable guard (Woody never coached him, he was booted before the Hawks aquired him), Zaza, I like his fiestyness a dirty work player, Marvin Williams eh? Crawford of the bench, no defense just a sparkplug. That wasn't a contender IMHO. But nice try T'man. @Tman @Peaceman
Joe Johnson
Josh Smith
Al Horford
Kirk Heinrich
Zaza Peculiar
Marvin Williams
et al.
Jamal Crawford -won 6th man award
That's a pretty good team, but they never got MUCH better despite being together for years under Woody.THey did improve, but never reached their potential.Strangely, they played much harder in the playoffs than in their regular season.That caught up to them in the playoffs.They could have been a contender...
@Orange_and_Blue Hope so!But Woody's record in ATL (Underachueved in my opinion) doesn't show he relates to young guys particularly well.
Telling tidbit from Berman,
"NYPost_Berman Love how Amar'e barely acknowledged Lin's departure. Nobody cared about having him back except Novak, Fields, Jeffries. Last 2 are gone." Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/knicksblog/former_knick_harrellson_works_out_53byH465vaunO68T426keO
Telling because it blows away the so-called camraderie amongst this team.It's a business but if you don't care about your bros they won't take that extra step to back you up.Sure u have to care about yourself first, but your teammates shouldn't be last either.This team is too immature and selfish to win big.They can't even say the right things without a flack to tele-prompt them.Talent is not enough.
Fields, Jeffries, Lin gone."You don't get better by getting (basketball) dumber."
LGK?
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@Tman LIG=Let it Go Tman. The Blogga said he was moving on with a LGK. Did IT occur to you that the MSG Press Club has schooled all their Max players on how to deal with this LIN thing? Don't mention IT and IT goes away. Only a few Scriptologists continue to talk about IT. The STAT omission on LIN has nothing to with "not caring about your bros". For starters, LIN is a Rocket now and no longer on the NYK. Thus, the bro and camaraderie thing stopped on the day he signed that "ridiculous offer sheet". Next, STAT was focused on the ones he got as opposed to the players not in the Mecca. IT is premature for the Blogga Tman to wax hyperbole about the lack of camaraderie on this squad and then head into phuckery with claims of immaturity, selfishness and inability to win big. LTP=Let Them Play! Saratoga is around the corner. Everyone except the JKidd hiccup) is doing the right thing this summer and talking about each other gearing up to win NOW-NOW! Lastly, LIG.
Just Bloguin!
Steady as IT goes.
NYKFL
Perfectly willing to let them play.But those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.That's why you have to hold on sometimes even if it annoying.People love revisionism, it makes their lives easier.There is no easy path to real, not accidental winning.I know Lin and Fields are gone, but a teammate once in battle, win or lose, is still a teammate, if he put his nuts on the line for you.So traded doesn't mean shyte to me.On the court you battle your opponent, off it a brother is always a brother to me.You can see it any way you want to.Frazier, Ewing, et al were traded.They're still Knicks off the court forever.Blood spilled and mixed together for a cause can never be seperated.
"“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers. For he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother; Henry V
@Auggie @Orange_and_Blue @Steady @Tman Replace evil with vain and stupid.Not commenting on Lin anymore.....for now.That book is closed.Welcome though.We need more guys for the season who have a variety of points of view.There are many rights and even a few lefts.LGK
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@Orange_and_Blue @Steady @Tman ...I still think that he signed it thinking that the Knicks would match.and i also think that the Knicks hinted that to him.Although it seems that the Knicks almost treated Lin as if he had a contageous disease when the signing period began,which leads me to believe that Dolan and Grunwald are pure backstabbing evil
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@Tman @Steady I agree with you about fame. I'm pretty sure I'm reacting your still existing angst about letting Lin and Fields go. Yeah you're right it's work tending to Q'ori, still I wouldn't change a think dirty diapers and hands and all. So strange that as difficult as it is to be on call for a little one, you just can't wait to get home to see the little one. Aint life strange. Cheers Sensei!
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@Orange_and_Blue @Steady We come in the world on our own and leave the same way.Fame is an illusion needed by people who are not comfortable in their own skins.Lin seems to be okay.Why the hate?He's paid.I'm fine with him and what he's accomplished so far.Seems like a nice respectful kid.Talking about him seems to get everyone upset ala LeBron/Cleveland.Calm down and smell the diapers, oops flowers.Enjoy the Golden Flower blossoming and look forward to a hopefully great season.LGK
PS.Learn to take deep breaths and count to ten whenever you hear the names Lin and Landry.
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@Steady @Tman I'm with steady, when Lin's entourage steered him to Houston and he accepted the ridiculous offer (that he has every right to sign) he ceased being a Knick. Now he is just more MSM media shyt to skewer the Knicks about. Ta ta Lin! Don't let obscurity hit your ass as you walk out the door.
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@Tman The inane trumpet now clings onto silence, itself golden. The first part of the T-formulation above is pure and baited wisdom--reminds one of the Art of War or Shakespeare, both quiet men of few words.
Steady as IT goes
NYKFL
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@Steady Why ask a question that you already know the answer to?Let others in love with the sound of their own voice sound the inane trumpet.Why must they meet at the All Star game to be "brothers in arms"?You bust your ass like I bust mine, you got my back like I got yours, we brothers.
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@Tman Where's the "forever" part? Shakespear was a man of words and short memory. Nothing in STAT's and Melo's statements suggest that they would not enjoin in brotherly love if they met at an All-Star in Philly. But they all would have to be there as All-Stars. What are them chances? Ask your Blog bronemesis 6(0)%.
Steady
NYKFL
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@Tman On a do over review of Lin, he only seemed to ignite the peripheral players on the team and could not make better the big guns brought in to close the deal on games for the Knicks. You have to wonder if his iso P&R penetration gimmick that facilitated opportunities for the Linions (Novak, Fields, Jeffries and Chandler to some degree) was the result of defenses keying in solely on Lin leaving openings for those soft targets. With better targets on the floor he couldn't get them going. That was his job. He failed miserably. The options would be to trade STAT and Melo to keep the Linatic fans happy - which would basically mean the Knicks would have to shuffle Melo and STAT for pennies on the dollars in another knee jerk desperate move. I'm glad the Knicks decided against that route. PERIOD!
@Orange_and_Blue @Tman a guy like Lin doesnt make Melo n Stat better players.Melo n Stat are supposed to make Lin a better player.If it is true that Lin made the peripheral players better on the Knicks,then he is a very good point guard,cuz thats what a very good point guard is supposed to do
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@Tman Fields would have been overpaid could not stretch the floor to save his life. Lin ditto in the third year but even worse if you think in terms of liquidity. Jeffries I liked very much but those knees were taking a pounding. He was barely on the court.
@Orange_and_Blue Fields would have been the 4th guy to be overpaid.Why pick on him?Oh wait, 5th, I forgot JR.
@Orange_and_Blue I feel bad for JR, I really do.Where is the money to pay him if he does well?Not with us, we're capped out.He's trying to resurrect his career and make some real money ...somewhere else.I'm sure his family wants him to stay close for their own reasons.I hope he does great personally and professionally.Let the financial chips fall where they may.Great talent, maybe Woody can be the strong hand he needed in college.Personally, I think he needs someone like Doc in Boston.Good luck with that in life anyhow.LGK
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@Tman JR Smith is getting an extension of his mini mid level extension. When you consider that in contrast to Fields salary, I'd say Smith is being paid what he should get. He's still to prove he can turn the corner. If he can prove to do that maybe he resigns with he Knicks for more. If not???
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@Peaceman You win with guts, brains and D.Talent is the most over-rated commodity in the game.Knicks now are missing 2 out of 3 qualities.Championship Knicks had all three.
If the game is reduced to a Rucker shootout we might have a shot.Miami, Boston, Chicago, Indy and Philly will never let that happen.Woody couldn't get his stars in ATL to D-up, except in the playoffs.Amare is talking about being a better offensive player.Those are not the magic words.No D no chip.Tyson better be well rested,He's gonna feel like he's playing dodgeball.Too bad, he's a team guy who deserves better.I could be wrong, but I doubt it.lgk
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@Tman @Peaceman I also read STAT talking about being a better defensive player. The Knicks were better defensively under Woodson, when he stepped in for no 'Antoni. What I worry about is how MIng the Merciless coaches on the offensive end. Iso Joe (Melo) I mean won't cut it. LA Lakers saw the one dimension with their head man and added a Princeton offense offensive coaching assistant. The Knicks. It's D'Antoni in reverse if Woodson can't get the offense to hum. I believe he'll get the Defense to play better.
