Mavs vs. Knicks: J.R. Smith Will Propel New York to Postseason

The key to the Knicks putting together another win streak isn’t all about Jeremy Lin, and J.R. Smith demonstrated why against the Mavericks on Sunday.

The shooting guard, who signed with New York this week after a stint in China that began during the NBA lockout, proved in his first game with his new team that his talents are enough to complement those of Lin's and turn the Knicks from the laughingstock of the NBA into a playoff contender.

Smith, who contributed 15 points, two assists and a steal in 30 minutes of action on Sunday, helped the Knicks end Dallas’ six-game winning streak with a 104-97 victory. He sank a three-pointer on his first shot and hit two more as part of a 17-0 run that put the Knicks ahead 30-18 in the first period—and it was fitting, considering the Knicks brought him on board primarily for his perimeter shooting. Smith proved he can provide the necessary offense off the bench to give the Knicks the extra push they need.

As a member of the Nuggets last season, Smith averaged 12.3 points per game, shooting .435 from the floor and .390 from beyond the arc in about 25 minutes of playing time. The 26-year-old has converted 37.1 percent of his threes in his seven-year career, and given the fact that the Knicks ranked 26th in the league in three-point shooting as of Friday, Smith looks to provide a much-needed boost in that department.

If Smith can consistently give the Knicks that kind of perimeter offense to complement Lin in the backcourt—especially with Bill Walker and Carmelo Anthony out of the lineup—the rest of the Eastern Conference should be watching its back. And if Mike D’Antoni can rein in a personality that has often been described as tempestuous, there doesn’t seem to be much that can stop this rolling Knicks squad.

Depth is the X-factor for any team when it comes to the playoffs, and Smith gives the Knicks exactly that.