Smith’s Debut: Show Up, Suit Up and Fire ’Em Up - Basketball Forum : Professional and College Basketball Forums

**Basel** · 02-20-2012, 11:33 AM

Quote:

J. R. Smith had a modest goal for his Knicks debut, which proved to be earlier, longer and more resounding than he anticipated.

“The first thing I was thinking was, ‘Don’t air-ball your first shot,’ ” he said, laughing. “You definitely won’t live that down in New York City.”

Smith was born in Freehold, N.J., and played at St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, so he knows a little about the intensity of New York basketball. It took him little time to get acclimated Sunday, as he scored 15 points off the bench in a 104-97 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

Smith signed with the Knicks on Friday, after playing a full season with the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in China. He arrived in great shape but had no time to practice with the Knicks or even familiarize himself with the playbook before pulling on his No. 8 jersey.

Coach Mike D’Antoni had hedged about even playing Smith on Sunday, but he used him for 30 minutes, including the final 17, in part because of Iman Shumpert’s foul trouble and ineffectiveness.

“With J. R. in there, we had no plays,” D’Antoni said, chuckling. “I kind of like to play that way. It’s hard to scout. We’re just moving the ball.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/20/sp...ref=basketball

**Bogg** · 02-22-2012, 02:13 PM

Well, the good news is that he doesn't run the plays even when he knows them, so there's very little difference whether he's had a full training camp or six hours notice.

seifer0406 · 02-23-2012, 12:08 AM

It's pretty straight forward for him. Run around, catch, shoot.

02-22-2012, 02:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
Bogg Moderator Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 4,618 Rep Power: 4050067	Re: Smith’s Debut: Show Up, Suit Up and Fire ’Em Up Well, the good news is that he doesn't run the plays even when he knows them, so there's very little difference whether he's had a full training camp or six hours notice.

02-23-2012, 12:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
seifer0406 Cat Launcher Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Age: 30 Posts: 8,526 Rep Power: 16655205	Re: Smith’s Debut: Show Up, Suit Up and Fire ’Em Up It's pretty straight forward for him. Run around, catch, shoot. __________________ The Raptors Young Onez

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