For J.R. Smith — actually, for all the Knicks — the 2013-14 season has been a collection of extremes.
The team has had ups, downs. Injuries everywhere. A five-game winning streak is followed by a five-game losing streak.
For Smith the season began after rehab from knee surgery and a five-game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy. There was a fine by the league plus the public blistering and two benchings by coach Mike Woodson for the shoelace nonsense.
So Thursday was just a fun night, an utter 117-86 blowout of the hapless Cavs. Smith got a start for the shorthanded Knicks, who were down five bodies, including Iman Shumpert. He brought energy, enthusiasm, points. And fun. Smith felt it was about time.
“Without a doubt,” said Smith, who had his 10th straight double-figure scoring game with 19 points, forged on 8-of-16 shooting. “The stuff we went through this season, losing guys. These are the bright spots you want to have, especially playing at home. You’ve got teammates on the bench going crazy, guys on the court excited. … There’s nothing better.”
Smith broke quickly from the gate in the small ball lineup. Amid his 11-point first quarter, Smith grabbed attention with a highlight-worthy play at 6:25. Smith crossed-over overmatched rookie Anthony Bennett, beat him to the baseline and threw down a dunk.
“I had to set him up,” Smith said. “Once I went baseline, I thought he was going to try to come over from behind and try to block it so I just brought it down and thankfully I finished it. I didn’t even feel like I jumped high.”
There was more. At 4:11 of the third quarter, Smith was working up top against Cavs forward Tristan Thompson. Dribble, dribble, crossover. Tristan went down on his butt, Smith shot and hit.
“I saw him fall, I was trying to focus on making the shot. I wanted to laugh. I knew my teammates were going crazy behind me,” Smith said. “I had to make the shot to make sure everything fell into place.”
The Knicks hope more than anything that all the off-court, on-court stuff no longer has a place in Smith’s battle plan. He says he has learned. But the Knicks have heard it before. Smith insists THIS time is the time.
“Just being professional on and off the court as much as I can,” Smith said. “This is my 10th year, of course it sounds like that old broken record but you can never be too cautious about your job. Anybody’s job is replaceable.”
On the court, no complaints.
“He’s been playing great. He’s been playing the way we know J.R. can play,” Raymond Felton said.
“He’s very locked in and focused. He’s bringing some great things to the team right now,” Tyson Chandler said.
Woodson joined the praise.
“He’s playing more relaxed. He’s more engaged, in tune to what we want done from a basketball standpoint,” Woodson said. “It’s nice to see.”