J.R. Smith was having fun at the end of Knicks practice yesterday, rifling the ball right-handed from three-quarter court, quarterback-style. He fell short on three attempts but not by much.
“I was a little short but still better than [Tim] Tebow,’’ Smith said jokingly about the Jets quarterback.
Smith knows his football, as he was a star wide receiver for Lakewood High School in New Jersey, where he also played a little quarterback.
Smith’s aim is starting to improve on his jumper. He was a key factor in the Knicks breaking their four-game losing streak versus the Sixers on Sunday, scoring 14 points, draining 3 of 6 on 3-pointers. Smith also had a key offensive rebound and steal in the final two minutes.
It’s the first time in a while the electric Smith, who’s shooting just 40.1 percent, has put together back-to-back solid games.
Sixers coach Doug Collins said Smith’s scoring was the difference to the last meeting. Smith had gone scoreless in Philadelphia Jan. 26 (0-for-8) in the Sixers’ victory. That was in the middle of a very rough patch for the Knicks’ sixth man.
In Toronto on Friday, Smith shot 7 of 12 after his embarrassing game in Indiana, where he was 1 of 7 and was ejected with two technicals. First, Smith tried to bait Lance Stephenson into a fight, then made what looked like an improper gesture to the referee.
Mike Woodson has given Smith all the time he needs to emerge from what the coach called “a little funk.’’
“Yeah, better than two weeks ago, but I’m still not where I’m accustomed to being with my jumper,’’ Smith said. “Just got to get to the free-throw line more, start off the game with a few easy baskets and then work my way out.’’
* The Knicks didn’t scrimmage but newcomer Kenyon Martin went through halfcourt sets during practice.
Woodson said it’s a possibility Martin makes his season debut tomorrow versus Golden State, but it probably would be in garbage time.
“We’re just trying to get him up to speed,’’ Woodson said. “That’s still going to take some time because he just hasn’t been around basketball.”
* For the first time as a Knick, Carmelo Anthony took as many free throws as field-goal attempts (18) after Woodson criticized him Friday for not going to the basket to draw fouls during crunch time.
“Melo was aggressive in that area,’’ Woodson said. “When jump shots are not falling, you’ve got to find a way to put points on the board. One way is to sacrifice your body to get to the free-throw line.’’