J.R. Smith was ticked during training camp. The enigmatic yet supremely talented Smith wanted to finally be an NBA starter and was crushed when coach Mike Woodson sat down with him with the news he would be the team’s Sixth Man.
It couldn’t have worked out any better for Smith, who received the Sixth Man Award yesterday during a press conference at the Knicks’ Tarrytown facility.
“I’ve been known as a selfish player for so long, I wanted to show my teammates I could be a team guy and it’s all about the team,” Smith said. “[Woodson] always told me it’s not who starts. It’s who finishes the game and 99 percent of the time I’m finishing.’’
More than half of Smith’s teammates, entire coaching staff and general manager Glen Grunwald attended the press conference. Smith was cheered by his mates when he entered in a dapper gray suit. When he took the podium, he addressed his mates with a playful “Woot, Woot’’ and they chanted back.
Woodson said Smith accepted the assignment “in grand style.’’
“I just thought for our team, we needed to establish guys coming off the bench to make plays,’’ Woodson said. “He bought in. He didn’t like it at first, but he accepted his role and walks away with the Sixth Man Award.”
While the award brought joy yesterday, it could complicate Smith’s return next season as he is expected to opt out of his contract and become a free agent. His stock will only rise with this award. He is scheduled to make $2.8 million next season and Smith has long felt he has been underpaid.
The Knicks have his early Bird rights and can exceed the salary cap to re-sign him. But they still can only go four years and as high as $5.2 million, under salary-cap rules. Teams with the full mid-level exception of $5 million can equal the offer. Teams under the cap can blow the Knicks out of the water.
Smith, who grew up in Freehold, N.J., was asked if he’d like to remain in New York, but declined to say. Smith’s agent, Leon Rose, his parents and brother Chris Smith, who should be on the Knicks next season, attended the press conference.
“I’m not really worried about it right now,’’ Smith said. “I’m worried about Game 2 versus Boston. When that times comes, I’ll worry about it then.’’
The Knicks will be desperate to have him back. He sizzled as the second scoring option (18.1 ppg, 5.3 rebounds) to Carmelo Anthony.
“I gave him a big hug and told him things have a way of working out,’’ Woodson said. “They do.’’
Woodson masterfully handled Smith, who has a renegade image. Earlier this season, Smith admitted he got caught up in the New York nightlife last season and had cleaned up his act in this, his ninth season.
“He’s figured it out,’’ Woodson said.
“I’m so proud of him,’’ Tyson Chandler said. “He dedicated himself this year and it’s paying off for him. He’s really focused and locked in this year. He’s more focused on his craft. He’s a professional this year, staying after, getting up shots. Something clicked.’’
“Big honor,’’ Anthony said. “I’m honored to be a part of it. To have him alongside me as my wingman.’’
The mercurial shooting guard gained control of the award with a huge March and April after adding a driving element to his scoring arsenal after being encouraged by Woodson.
“If you’re going to be a scorer in this league, you got to mix it up,’’ Woodson said. “If you don’t use the free-throw line in this league as your friend, it’s going to be a struggle. He went through a phase where he was just shooting jump shots and jump shots and finally a green light went off.’’