Woodson Says He Won't Hesitate To Pull JR Smith, Amare Will Play Game 3
NY Post – Mike Woodson’s patience is running thin with J.R. Smith. For the first time, the Knicks coach said he will have a quicker hook with the Sixth Man Award winner if his shooting woes continue. Smith’s jump shot has been in the gutter since returning in Game 5 of the first round against Boston after serving a one-game suspension for elbowing Jason Terry. “If he’s struggling and I feel the need, I got to pull him,” Woodson said on his ESPN Radio show yesterday. “I will do that as head coach.” Following Tuesday’s victory over Indiana in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, Smith admitted, “My shot is lost for now.’’ But his father, Earl Smith, who taught J.R. all his offensive skills, said it’s only a matter of time before Smith starts lighting it up again. “Shooters shoot. He’ll be fine,” Earl Smith said when contacted at his Jersey home. “A shooter has to keep shooting. You’re open, you got to shoot it. You can’t force a pass or you’ll turn it over. He’s got to keep shooting and taking it to the rack.’’
Boston Globe – Amare Stoudemire will likely be limited to about 10-15 minutes per game if he is able to return during New York’s playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. With Stoudemire nearing a comeback from a two-month absence following right knee surgery, both he and the Knicks are keeping expectations low. ‘‘To be honest with you, I don’t think we or he is expecting to come out and play 20 or 30 minutes and to score 15, 20, 30 points,’’ forward Carmelo Anthony said Thursday. ‘‘I think he’s just trying to gradually get himself back going. He understands that, we understand that, so if he says he’s ready to go, he’s ready to go. I mean, he’s one of our guys. If he can help us, which we know he can, he can do that.’’
Oh, thats right. The Knicks are still playing basketball. Fucking 4 day layoffs feel like they were eliminated or some shit. I know the NBA wants weekend games and shit. And I’m sure coordinating schedules with the Rangers isn’t easy either. But Jesus Christ Tuesday night game 2 SATURDAY night game 3 is just absurd. Part of me would have loved to ride the momentum of that game 2 slaughter. Play a couple nights later and try to keep doing exactly what they were doing during that 30-2 run or whatever it was. But I think a little bit of time off is gonna be good for JR Smith. I’d be surprised if he came out shooting fucking 25% again. I’m hoping a few extra days to clear your head and a little bit of a threat from Coach Woodson snaps him back into shape. I think JR got a little too comfortable thinking he was the solid #2 option after Carmelo. No repercussions for playing like dog shit. Maybe this lights a fire under his ass.
As far as Amare goes – I’m not gonna do, what you all think I’m gonna do, which is just FLIP OUT. If he’s really just playing a 10-15 minute role, I can’t imagine him having too much of an impact. Positive or negative. But I swear to FUCKING GOD if they try to work him into that lineup with Carmelo like they have in the past I will go bananas. Literally every time he’s disrupted the first unit for the past 2 season they have had zero success. Its time to give up the Amare dream. It was time to give it up at the end of last year. As long as he’s just a compliment and not taking away any touches from the first 6 or 7 scoring options, then I’m all good with it.
PS – Despite that game 1 I just don’t feel concerned about this series. I think the Knicks are just the better team. I think Game 2 is more indicative of these two teams than game 1.