"He's so locked in and focused this year. He's a different player. He's really matured and he's really buying in to what coach is preaching, and it's been a big help."

- Tyson Chandler

The Knicks are the best in the NBA at taking care of the ball. Smith only turns the ball over once per game.

Based on John Hollinger's Player Efficiency Rating - a metric used to measure a player's per-minute performance -- Smith has been the second-best player on the Knicks. Through four games, Smith is posting a 20.5 PER, second to Anthony's 24.3. Last year, Smith recorded a PER of 15.27.

"... my biggest thing coming this season: Be more focused, be more consistent. It feels good that my teammates are recognizing it. At the same time, I've just got to keep it up and keep making them proud."

The talent has always been evident. The focus has not. “More than anything I have to make plays, not just score. Get rebounds, long rebounds and trying to get Novak (one of his best friends) going."

What a difference a demanding coach (who understands trust) makes.

Almost every category has gone up from ppg, to % to assists....and his defense has been solid too.

holfresh wrote:I was thinking we should lock this guy up now...He will get some coin tossed his way at the end of the year...Fields got 6 mil...

holfresh wrote:

knickscity wrote:

holfresh wrote:I was thinking we should lock this guy up now...He will get some coin tossed his way at the end of the year...Fields got 6 mil...

He's on a two year deal, he has to opt out first.

He will definitely opt out this year...

misterearl wrote:40

“Last year we were a team that if you get the lead in the third quarter a team would pretty much put us away. We’re just trying to go out there and play with as much enthusiasm as we can in the second half.”

No team has scored more than 40 points against the Knicks after halftime.

“That’s one of the things we’ve emphasized, coming out in that third quarter, getting a good stretch, getting loose and making sure we come out in attack mode"

Who is the most athletic NYK player, 6'6 JR or (pre-injury) 6'5 Shump?

It's JR and its not even close.

MaTT4281 wrote:Now THAT is impressive. Strong 4th quarter defensive kept that streak alive!

The only thing missing is five guys in defensive stances, slapping the floor simultaneously.

Yes, we are good.

ChuckBuck wrote:I really am surprised by his wait for it....consistency!

Aside from the stepbacks that make you want to gouge your eyes out, he really is playing solid on both sides of the ball.

It's like Woody has this telepathic Vulcan mindmeld with him and is reeling in bad JR this season.

I thought he hit those stepback jumpers...It's his trademark move...

ChuckBuck wrote:I really am surprised by his wait for it....consistency!

Aside from the stepbacks that make you want to gouge your eyes out, he really is playing solid on both sides of the ball.

It's like Woody has this telepathic Vulcan mindmeld with him and is reeling in bad JR this season.

“We thought we were getting kind of funky whistles so we had to play better and through the calls. During practice we get on each other about waiting for calls and expecting calls, so today was more of an emphasis, forget about the refs and play our game.”

JR Smith is a new man.

holfresh wrote:

ChuckBuck wrote:I really am surprised by his wait for it....consistency!

Aside from the stepbacks that make you want to gouge your eyes out, he really is playing solid on both sides of the ball.

It's like Woody has this telepathic Vulcan mindmeld with him and is reeling in bad JR this season.

I thought he hit those stepback jumpers...It's his trademark move...

Step back jumpers from 18 feet and out are pretty bad jump shots but 15 feet and in, they can be good depending on the circumstances. If that's his trademark move then he needs a new move because if you're a 6'6" shooting guard shooting a career 43% from the field (Yes, I consider fg% to be important) and the defense isn't fully focused, then you need to change it up. With that said, he is playing above his head and playing a lot better. He still takes a lot of bad shots, but he's not jacking up 3s all the time and he's taking advantage of the mid range. If he can keep that style up, then we should enjoy a very successful season from him. His TOs are down and since he came here, his defense has been better. This isn't the type of player he was for most of his career but if he can keep it up, then we have a steal.

Again, I LOVE how he is playing right now, despite the fact that he's still putting up some pretty wild shots. However, the 3s are going to stop falling so efficiently and by 25 games, if he's still having a rock solid season, then I expect him to be shooting solid but not nearly as good as he is now because he still takes wild shots.

At the end of the season, I expect him to be a lot better than he was for us last season and a little better than his overall career. A more efficient spark off the bench but now and then, he'll still drive you nuts. It will be more acceptable though if he continues playing defense.

He's a great bench player but not the superstar or MVP a few individuals think he is.