Knicks coach Mike Woodson got his revenge on J.R. Smith for staging what appeared to be a shooting boycott in Boston. He benched him.
Smith sat the final 14:40 Saturday night against the Hawks after going 1-of-8 from the field for two points in the Knicks’ 111-106 victory. Smith’s actions Friday night in Boston — when he took just one shot — appeared to be premeditated.
One theory was the coaching staff had been getting on Smith for forcing too many shots, so he adapted, to the extreme. Or he staged a shooting boycott — which is a page out of Kobe Bryant’s book — to make a point. A report Saturday said Woodson had made a remark to Smith about his shot selection.
Today is the first day Smith can be traded under NBA rules for players who signed as free agents. Before Saturday’s game, Woodson admonished Smith for his night in Boston, when he lofted one field goal attempt in 26 minutes. Smith admitted that was a first — and Woodson said it would be his last.
Asked if Smith had told Woodson he was going into playmaking mode, the Knicks coach said: “No. No not at all. I need him to score and I think he knows that. He was our second-leading scorer last season [18.3 points per game] and we need him to score.”
Smith had his answer prepared Friday when reporters surrounded his locker after the Boston game.
“I was going into the game trying to make opportunities for my teammates to excel,’’ Smith said. “We need playmakers more than just scorers. My job is to get my teammates the easiest buckets we can and we’re not getting those.’’
Smith went on to add his strategy is subject to change.
“It might be the right way, it might not be the right way, I don’t know,’’ he said. “Just trying to figure this out.’’
Against Atlanta, he took five shots in the first five minutes alone, making just one.
Amar’e Stoudemire changed plans and decided to play Saturday against the Hawks in the second night of a back-to-back. It was his fourth game in five nights. With Kenyon Martin out indefinitely and the Knicks desperate for a win, Stoudemire couldn’t let this night slip.
He logged 19 minutes, was 4-of-8 with five rebounds and nine points in the Knicks’ win.
The last time Stoudemire played four games in five nights, in March, he needed knee debridement surgery two days later. But the Knicks were desperate on the front line Saturday.
After the Knicks lost in Boston on Friday, Stoudemire said the medical staff decided he would sit Saturday’s game out. He changed their minds.
“I feel great, no worries,’’ Stoudemire said afterward. “It was my decision. We had guys down. we needed a lift. If he was healthy, tonight ight’ve been a no-go for me. when a man’s down, that’s when another man steps up.
“I have more faith now [than last season],” added Stoudemire, who has played very fluidly across the past 10 days and also was one of the bright spots in the loss to the Celtics, making seven of nine shots.
Asked if Stoudemire would have played if the Knicks were rolling with a winning record, Woodson said: “That’s a good question. Maybe not. But if he tells me he can go, I’m not forcing the issue. I’ve got to believe he can go and I’ve got to be a little careful.’’
Stoudemire, now playing a little more reminiscent of his Phoenix days, with a mid-range jumper and agility in the post, began the season playing every other game with a 10-minute cap on minutes. Woodson said there no longer are official restrictions, but he doesn’t want Stoudemire to go too much past 30.
“He’s taken baby steps to get to this point,’’ Woodson said. “We’ve still got to be careful. I’ve got to watch his movement and he how he’s playing. It’s hard. But that’s what I’ve been dealt with.”
The Knicks changed their routine and ditched their weekend orange uniforms Saturday night. The Knicks are 0-6 when wearing the orange uniforms.
However, there’s more to the story. The NBA ruled the Hawks couldn’t wear red if the Knicks wore orange because the color clash made it tough for TV viewers in a prior meeting between the teams. However, the Hawks have black and home whites they could have worn instead. The Knicks made it easy on the Hawks and just wore their traditional whites.
The Post reported last week the Knicks hit their minimum of six times wearing the alternate unis under NBA rules. It’s unclear if they will wear orange again.
Metta World Peace was back in the rotation with Martin out, playing 8:55, scoring 5 points.