Mr. Smith has 24 assists in his last six games.

Over that span he has scored 26, 19, 25, 27, and 28 points twice.

Sweet!

Red Holtzman sends regards.

jrodmc wrote:Self assists count for the AnswerMan, just not in the scorebook. Hit the open man. Especially if you're already wide open.

And apparently I missed the memo that identified helloharv as misterearl's alter ego.

It's good JR's apparently been drinking too much.
A high blood/alcohol reading apparently equals game winning shots and coming up incredibly large towards the end of games. That putback is going to be on highlight reels for years to come.

Did Melo ever look for JR this much back in the day in Nuggyville?

Nah, let's go to Jared.

"... Anthony and Smith's huge performances on Tuesday night indicate the Knicks' current offense is too centralized. Against the Trail Blazers, they accounted for the team's final 14 points of the first half and their final 27 out of 29 points in the fourth quarter.

The Knicks need to get back to being a fluid drive-and-kick team. If not, the Spurs, who are one of the best at it with Tony Parker at the helm, will give them a rude awakening on Thursday night.

Without their main floor general in Felton, Woodson will have to rely on a deeper cast of playmakers. It may take some time for main ball-handlers Kidd, Prigioni, Smith and Anthony to get the team clicking on all cylinders. Not only do those guys need to develop chemistry and consistency in terms of who's leading the offense at different times, but also their teammates need to be on the same page with them. - Jared Zwerling

Shift Change

The Prigioni Line, with Jason and Priggi Smalls starting, could set the tone on offense. Unless Kidd is feeling jiggy, our defense suffers until Mr Smith gets to the scorer's table. (which is a perfect name for a table in JR's case) Can we rename it The Smith Table?

The trick is getting JR and SuperMelo (reluctantly bringing the ball upcourt) to share the rock with someone other than each other. Either can get anywhere he wants on the court and everyone knows it. Problem is that the opponent knows this as well. After Tyson Chandler's measly 10 points on Tuesday, no one else was in double figures. That must change. Top heavy box scores do not a champion make.

Make my funk the P(ass the ball) Funk!

In Smith’s last 11 games he’s averaging 21.7 points on 44.8% shooting from the field, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. Smith has taken on an expanded role with this team as evidenced by his career high in minutes (33 mpg), field goal attempts (14.8), and his third highest usage percentage of his career at 24.7%. Smith’s blend of scoring is reason for positivity, too. Smith is attacking the rim at a better pace as of late, averaging 2.5 attempts per game. He’s also taking more attempts from 3-9 feet, 10-15 feet, and 16-23 feet while taking less attempts from three-point range. It would actually be ideal if Smith cut down on his attempts from 16-23 feet (he’s taking 4.8 attempts from that distance) in favor of more efficient shots closer to the basket and more three-pointers where he’s one of the Knicks’ best threats. However, his otherwise increased attempts per game closer to the basket is a good sign.

In the last six games, Smith has taken on an even larger role for the Knicks with injuries to Carmelo Anthony and Raymond Felton, combined with Ronnie Brewer’s struggles on the court. In the previous six games, Smith is putting up All-Star numbers, averaging 25.5 points per game on 44% shooting from the field, 7.3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2.3 steals. However, it is worth noting that in these six games, the Knicks are just 2-4 – odd considering Smith’s productivity. In Smith’s defense, though, the problems that have caused the Knicks to lose have rarely stemmed from Smith’s time on the court.

To begin the new year – albeit in a loss to the Portland Trailblazers – Smith put up 28 points on 10-22 shooting, with 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. If Smith can continue his hot play when the Knicks return to full health, it could prove crucial for a strong, promising 2013.

- Scott Davis

Trendy.

what the heeezy

To catch a pass in the air on the move at your chest, with your back to the basket, slightly off balance and without looking at the rim, and then find the rim, deposit the ball over the shoulder, is an amazing feat of timing and body control. Amazing.

Discard the points. 9/17. 5 rebounds. JR Smith continues to play with poise on defense. His best hustle play was the block off the attempted fast break.

Syniko - Oh yeah, that was definitely a bad move on J.R. Pulling acrobatic shots with so much time left on the clock is wholly unnecessary.

Really?

Watch the bench reaction.