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Knicks’ Fans Rebuttal to J.R. Smith’s Game 1 ECF Performance

By William Lee

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I want to use this Daily Knicks platform on FanSided to speak out for Knicks fans, in particular in response to J.R. Smith‘s outburst in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Smith erupted for a Playoff career high 28 points, knocking down a Cleveland Cavaliers‘ Playoff record 8 three-pointers made. The spectacular performance marked the 14th game in NBA history with 8+ three-point field goals made.

When asked after the game about his hot shooting Smith had this to say.

"“I just try to just roll with the punches. I mean, once the team pretty much starts closing out, just try to get in attack mode, and at the same time, try to find my teammates. It’s kind of hard, hitting the shots I was hitting, to try and pass the ball, but you’ve got to figure out a way.”"

Although finding it difficult to pass to teammates was not the most shocking thing Smith had to say Wednesday night. The below quote pretty much sums up J.R. Smith’s game in one sentence.

One day after the heartbreaking news that New York would select fourth overall in the NBA Draft, the internet continued to pile onto Knicks’ fans especially when Smith essentially won Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals for Cleveland Wednesday night. Smith and Iman Shumpert were shipped off to Cleveland as part of a three-team trade in early January, and in return New York received Alex Kirk, Lou Amundson and Lance Thomas.

Now it is easy to look now and laugh at this trade but in reality Phil Jackson was begging any team to take J.R Smith off the payroll. Now of course would it have been better if New York got anything substantial in return, of course that would have been better! Unfortunately with an injured Shumpert and a hot head like Smith, there were not much takers at that time. The trade was essentially a salary dump. New York did not want to be on the hook for Smith’s $6,399,750 next year.

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Of course it looks really bad when Smith just went off for 28 points on 10/16 shooting, and 8/12 from downtown but just know…that the 3/15 game shooting is coming as well. This is what Smith does; he is a good bad-shot maker. Smith shoots you in games and Smith shoots you out of games. There is absolutely no way Smith can maintain this hot shooting. In fact I would dare say this will be the one great game he has in the series and be mediocre the rest of the way.

Smith recently trolled New York after advancing past the First Round against the Chicago Bulls on his personal Instagram account.

Honestly I am okay with the trade and am pretty confident that Smith will not help Cleveland get a NBA Championship. In fact I am sure the career shooting 42.4% Smith will shoot the Cavaliers out of at least two more games in the Eastern Conference Finals series. That outstanding Game 1 performance was an outlier and Smith will come crashing back down to Earth sooner than later. Smith’s Game 1 performance will be a double-edge sword for Cleveland, giving Smith even more confidence from his record-breaking performance in Game 1, Smith will have even a quicker finger on the trigger than usual and that can only spell disaster. I cannot wait until Smith shoots the Cavaliers out of the game single handily.

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