NBA Rumors: J.R. Smith Worst Possible Addition for Knicks After Recent Success

The New York Knicks welcomed back one of their two superstars last night in Toronto and it took all of three quarters for him to shake the rust.

Amar'e Stoudemire, an absentee in the recent "Linsanity" that has taken over in New York City, figured things out by the fourth quarter, though, and spurred the Knicks' comeback win over the Raptors.

Well, he and Jeremy Lin that is.

The overnight sensation that is Jeremy Lin continues to grow. Not only is "Linsanity" a commonly used term and/or nickname these days, but so is "Linderella," "Linsational," "Super Lintendo" and "Mr. Lincredible."

All of them are driving by one thing though: Linning equals winning.

STAT's return to the lineup was the least of the Knicks' concerns. Although the big man hasn't been himself for much of the season, he's a proven baller in coach Mike D'Antoni's system with a legitimate point guard running the show. When he doesn't have to do too much he is much better off.

The same cannot be said of Carmelo Anthony and it certainly cannot be said of potential signee J.R. Smith.

Inserting Melo and his isolation game back into the Knicks offense is one thing, but adding a gunslinger like Smith is a complete mistake.

As things stand now, many believe the Knicks to be in the lead for the former Denver Nuggets shooter (via ESPN):

"

The New York Knicks are the presumptive favorites to sign free-agent swingman J.R. Smith when he returns from China later this week ... the Knicks can offer a prorated share of the $2.5 million mini-midlevel exception for the rest of the season.

"

They are not alone in their pursuit, though, as the Clippers, Timberwolves and Pacers are also rumored to be in on the chase.

But as Lin continues to win, it becomes more and more evident that the Knicks don't need J.R. Smith. The streaky scorer would have to battle for opportunities to shoot the ball and New York is already going to have a hard time satisfying Melo when he returns alongside Lin and STAT.

Smith can score, but he needs a lot of shots to make it happen.

The Knicks don't need an offensive black hole in the form of free-shooting swingman with questionable shot selection. They're winning games with good ball movement, a little bit of luck and team basketball.

How long has it been since Knicks fans have been able to say that?

J.R. Smith doesn't help that cause, not one bit.