When Phil Jackson and head coach Derek Fisher were installed as the new leaders of the New York Knicks, they brought their winning philosophy 3,000 miles from Los Angeles, where the two racked up championship trophies in the early aughts. Specifically, the legendary triangle offense. We’ll spare you the nitty gritty of the offense, but let’s just say Tex Winter — the creator and the man who aided Jackson in installing it in Chicago and LA — probably didn’t have a player like J.R. Smith in mind to run it. The Knicks chucker/prankster/social media savant is not only struggling to adapt to the fancy new offense, but the whole concept of team basketball:
“Yeah, absolutely. I mean, believe it or not being the type of player I’ve been, it’s a struggle,” Smith said after Wednesday’s preseason win over Washington. “I’m not going to lie. Trying to think about the rest of the team over myself or my scoring is something that I never really had to do before. I’ve always been in a situation to score. [Now I’m] in position to take my time and let the game come and let my teammates succeed more than myself. I think that’s the ultimate win.
“[Fisher] just told me — look at the rings they have. It’s worked. I want one so bad, I’ll do whatever it takes. If it takes me sacrificing my scoring, that’s what it takes.”
Oh no, J.R., we believe you. Appreciate the honesty though.
