J.R. Smith ran fullcourt at practice on Tuesday, the first time he’d done so since having knee surgery. It was a marked step in his recovery, with Smith hoping to scrimmage next week, play the preseason finale, and – after serving a five-game NBA suspension – become the Knicks’ starting shooting guard.
“I think that’s what we’re looking at, trying to play the last preseason game,” Smith said. “[But] I’m not going to put the pressure on myself. If I don’t feel I’m ready, I’m not going to play.’’
Smith acknowledged his desire to be a starter this season — possibly supplanting Iman Shumpert — but reiterated his willingness to come off the bench if necessary.
“I’ve always wanted to start. Everybody knows that. Everybody knows how I feel about that,” he said. “I won the Sixth Man [Award] last year, so I feel as though there’s nothing left to prove at the sixth-man spot. But at the same time, if that’s what my team needs me to do, that’s what I’ll do. If Coach [Mike Woodson] wants me to be a sixth man, I’ll be a sixth man. If he wants me to start, I’ll start. That’s up to him.’’
Smith had patella tendon surgery and an arthroscopy for a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee on July 15, five days after inking a three-year, $18 million deal. He still has not faced any contact in practice, but the running was an auspicious sign, with Woodson cautiously optimistic Smith can be ready in time for the Oct. 25 preseason finale against the Bobcats at the Garden.
“He’s on pace. As long as there’s no setbacks [Wednesday] and he continues to stay on the right track, that’s a strong possibility,’’ said Woodson. “A lot will depend on tomorrow and how he feels. We’ll see. Hopefully he’ll have a good night sleep and wake up tomorrow and he’ll be able to do a little bit more.
“He stretched today and he did some conditioning work up and down the court. We didn’t keep him out very long. He got some shots up. It was pretty good to see that.’’
Smith didn’t appear to be hobbled Tuesday.
“I feel good. I still feel it a little bit. When I’m running, the trainers say I’m babying it a little bit,’’ Smith said. “Hopefully [I’ll] be playing soon, get these five games out of the way so I can finally be out there with my teammates and get active.’’
Therein lies the rub: Smith will begin serving that five-game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy as soon as he’s cleared and pronounced fit by an independent doctor. Playing in the preseason finale would make that independent clearance all but moot.
Rarely has somebody been in such a hurry to be suspended, but Smith wants to serve his penance as quickly as possible to compete for the shooting guard job.
Woodson said Tuesday that Shumpert will start Thursday’s preseason game against the Wizards in Baltimore and has the edge because of Smith’s injury and unavailability. Smith – who played a team-high 2,678 minutes last season despite not starting a single game – claimed he would fill whatever role is needed.
“I’m so busy working on my rehabilitation and trying to get right to where I can even get a chance to step on the court,’’ Smith said. “As far as now, no telling who the starter will be. When [Woodson] decides to make the choice, we both have to live with it, between myself and Shump. It’s a competition at this point. He’s winning. He’s healthy, he’s able to play. When I’m back ready, I’ll be back ready.’’