J.R. Smith, a player much maligned throughout his career for his attitude, selfish demeanor, and propensity to shoot too much has silenced many of his critics by coming off the New York Knicks bench all season and becoming the NBA's best sixth man.
The NBA confirmed that Smith is the winner of that award, and the Knicks will hold a press conference today in which he will accept it.
Smith had his best season as a pro during the 2012-2013 season, averaging 18.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game in his role off the bench. Despite not starting, Smith also averaged more minutes per game than he has in his career. He shot 42 percent from the field this year, and 35 percent from the 3-point line.
As injuries mounted to the Knicks' veteran roster, Smith emerged as the Knicks second-most dependable offensive option outside of Carmelo Anthony. In the months of March and April, Smith's scoring soared to 21 points per game, while he hoisted 18 shots a night as opposed to 14 earlier in the season. His 3-point percentage went up slightly in March and April to 37.5 percent, from 36 percent in the first four months of the season.
With Smith leading the bench, the Knicks won the Atlantic division for the first time since 1994, and made the playoffs for the second consecutive year after going an entire decade without reaching the postseason. Smith is a free agent after the season.
Smith had very tough competition for the Sixth Man award this season from former Knick Jamal Crawford, who was looking to win the award for the second straight season, and Warriors guard Jarrett Jack.
Crawford averaged 16.1 points per game in four less minutes of floor time than Smith, and notched 29 20-point games, the same number as Smith. Jack averaged just 12.1 points per game, significantly fewer than Smith or Crawford, but topped them both by a wide margin in assists with 5.5. Jack's role in Golden State off the bench was to be a point guard first, and score when needed, as opposed to providing quick bursts of offense.
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