To me, one of the critical differences between last night and the four previous Knicks victories was the presence, or absence, of Ronnie Brewer. Last night, with Brewer suffering from swelling in the surgically repaired knee that kept him out for much of the preseason, he played just 17 minutes, a season low, and wasn’t the factor he’d been all year. This isn’t just a question of shooting; defense wasn’t as good, rebounding was down. Brewer clearly wasn’t himself.

- Howard Medgal

With the acceleration of the schedule, Ronnie Brewer's tender knee will open the door for extended minutes for JR Smith. Mike Woodson could decide to give JR the pleasure of having his name trumpeted with the starters, or continue to bring him from the bullpen in long relief.

It is a long season. The hope is that Brew's knee does not imitate Shump's knee, and deteriorate any further.

Woodson has a decision.

AnubisADL wrote:Contract year.

So was last yr and the yr before that.

newyorknewyork wrote:

AnubisADL wrote:Contract year.

So was last yr and the yr before that.

Yes, contract is obviously important to someone who took less to stay here. See Landry Fields go. And see...ummm, nevermind.

newyorknewyork wrote:I wonder if Woodson can get Shumpert to play like Smith is playing but with the first unit?

I think JR deserves to start playing like this this, if not this year then next year. Shumps can be the 6th man.

That aside I will give early credit regarding this player. I did not like JR as a player. Last year he impressed me with his defense, rebounding and dedication to the other parts of the game that didnt involve chucking up shots. I know Woody took to JR, and has worked to take him under his wing as a personal project. He's been open about getting JR to be a better more responsible man off the court in order to keep him focused on getting better and let me just say the early results are outstanding. JR handles and makes good choices with the ball like a scoring PG. He defends, he boards, he still jacks up a lot of silly shots but when he does its offset by sheer effort and the guy is playing his ass off he's playing great basketball.

Big props to JR and Woody. The Knicks NEVER EVER seem to improve from within. We trade any player with upside so we never get a chance to see anyone mature or get better. JR is really a better player this year. Easy 6th man of the year and the ultimate bench guy who can come in and play some 1, 2 or 3 at any time.

Nice job by Woody and JR.

NYKMentality wrote:Chances we're able to lock up J.R long term?

Called for J.R while he was in China last season. Called for an extension of J.R during the offseason, any type of extension worked for me. Now, I'm calling for our front office to sign this man long term, but what's our chances?

J.R can become an NBA 6th Man of the Year contender for many of years to come moving forward off our Knicks bench. I believe that getting J.R locked up is a franchise must.

It's early, but if Swish is this good, he should start. Groom Shumps as the 6th man off the bench.

Knixkik wrote:

Anji wrote:

newyorknewyork wrote:I wonder if Woodson can get Shumpert to play like Smith is playing but with the first unit?

I think JR deserves to start playing like this this, if not this year then next year. Shumps can be the 6th man.

Eventually why not start both?

C Chandler
PF Anthony
SF Smith
SG Shumpert
PG Felton

If Stoudemire comes off the bench, he fills the offense that we orginally needed off the bench with JR.

I think Smith is perfect in the sixth man role. He takes lots of shots (like Anthony). Keeping them apart lets both of them get their shots and be the focal point. Plus, Smith can terrorize opposing second-units (like he has been). Smith is thriving in this role.

Stoudemire is a separate problem. I think he's better off coming off the bench too. But how is Woody going to convince a star player like Stoudemire to do that?

“I approach every day differently now. Every day I think of it as a positive (to) get into the gym with these guys, try to get the best work as you can. A lot of times previously in my career I’ve had negative energy coming into the gym. Just not wanting to be there, jumping around, goofing off.

A few years ago, The Answer Man had the opportunity to visit with another gifted Denver athlete who shared the same uniform number JR wore with the Nuggets. 15. Brandon Marshall walked into his house, about 30 minutes late for a meeting, carrying a large carry out soft drink cup. He had to stop on the way home from practice. He spoke of feeling disconnected in Denver, looking forward to being in a place that felt more welcoming than his fancy foothills house in the middle of nowhere. Bored and unhappy, Marshall could not stay out of his own way. Or out of the back pages for bad behavior. Later he was diagnosed as having a chemical imbalance that did not help his domestic issues.

Fast Forward to 2012

(JR)’s accepted his role. He’s really more professional about his approach this year. That has a lot to do with it. And he feels good about himself. As a coach it’s my job to put guys in position to be successful. Not just J.R., everybody, and see what happens. I think he’s taken full advantage of his playing time. He’s really more focused and more serious about his approach and that’s going to be important as we go through this season.”
- Mike Woodson

It is no coincidence that JR Smith is closer to home and playing with purpose. The talent was never a question. The question was only his ability to tailor his talent to the situation and play basketball in a team context. His epiphany is the result of many factors, not the least of which is a coach who demands that he not only dress like an adult, he also plays defense to his ability. Challenging any man to change his approach to life is a delicate matter. Could anyone else have done that? Evidently, George Karl could not. Or perhaps it is simply father time that changes everything.

What does the future hold?

“This year it’s been more serious, understanding every road trip we take is a work trip, not just a play trip. Come here, working hard, understanding and knowing that if I work hard maybe the next guy will see me working hard and it will push him.” - JR Smith

Stay tuned.

misterearl wrote:Ouch

To me, one of the critical differences between last night and the four previous Knicks victories was the presence, or absence, of Ronnie Brewer. Last night, with Brewer suffering from swelling in the surgically repaired knee that kept him out for much of the preseason, he played just 17 minutes, a season low, and wasn’t the factor he’d been all year. This isn’t just a question of shooting; defense wasn’t as good, rebounding was down. Brewer clearly wasn’t himself.

- Howard Medgal

With the acceleration of the schedule, Ronnie Brewer's tender knee will open the door for extended minutes for JR Smith. Mike Woodson could decide to give JR the pleasure of having his name trumpeted with the starters, or continue to bring him from the bullpen in long relief.

It is a long season. The hope is that Brew's knee does not imitate Shump's knee, and deteriorate any further.

Woodson has a decision.

FlipPoker wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

Anji wrote:

newyorknewyork wrote:I wonder if Woodson can get Shumpert to play like Smith is playing but with the first unit?

I think JR deserves to start playing like this this, if not this year then next year. Shumps can be the 6th man.

Eventually why not start both?

C Chandler
PF Anthony
SF Smith
SG Shumpert
PG Felton

If Stoudemire comes off the bench, he fills the offense that we orginally needed off the bench with JR.

I think Smith is perfect in the sixth man role. He takes lots of shots (like Anthony). Keeping them apart lets both of them get their shots and be the focal point. Plus, Smith can terrorize opposing second-units (like he has been). Smith is thriving in this role.

Stoudemire is a separate problem. I think he's better off coming off the bench too. But how is Woody going to convince a star player like Stoudemire to do that?

+1 agreed on Smith off the bench.

If getting to watch people like Big Baby trying to guard JR is part and parcel of JR coming off the bench, that alone is worth starting STAT.