Phil Jackson is convinced the New York Knicks can be a dangerous opponent if they make the NBA playoffs and he points to J.R. Smith as the primary reason why.
"Well, with J.R. playing at the level he's playing at now, yes," Jackson told the New York Post. In case you're wondering, that's the same Smith whose season has included such mishaps as serving an NBA suspension for violation of the drug policy and nearly driving coach Mike woodson to the asylum.
In between, Smith has been fined by the league for untying opponents' shoelaces and reprimanded for denigrating the franchise in tweets about his younger brother being waived by the organization.
Phil Jackson takes over Knicks
Still, The Post reports Jackson appears bolstered by the way Smith and Amar'e Stoudemire provide the Knicks with more options on offense than just Carmelo Anthony.
Smith has certainly been on his game of late, averaging 16 points and shooting 47 percent over the Knicks recent 12-3 stretch. In Smith's mind, it all starts with the new commitment to defense they team has collectively made.
Can Phil and Carmelo co-exist with Knicks
"The communication, everybody has been talking on the defensive end," said Smith. "I've been trying to do it myself, trying to keep guys into that mode. Just have guys not worry about the offense. We're going to score."
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