JR Smith Pulls the Ultimate JR Smith, Bricks Potential Game-Winner off Glass
J.R. Smith arrives in the clutch. Exactly which version of Smith shows up, however, can never be known until it’s way too late.
The New York Knicks shooting guard is a walking roll of the dice, and Knicks fans watched in agony as he dialed up snake eyes in the final moments of Wednesday night’s game against the Orlando Magic.
With 3.5 seconds left in the game, the Knicks inbounded the ball to Smith, who executed what we can only assume was the exact play coach Derek Fisher drew up: an off-the-dribble three-pointer near the top of the arc.
Note: This was not the play Fisher drew up.
Nonetheless, Carmelo Anthony approved Smith's decision as it happened.
Of course, Smith’s shot slapped glass, and the J.R. Smith detractors and disciples immediately went to work.
After the game, Smith went with the Batman defense in explaining his final shot.
“If I forced it to [Anthony], what kind of shot will he really have—a turnaround, fadeaway?” Smith asked, via Marc Berman of the New York Post. “It’s not the best shot we’d want. I don’t think it’s enough time for him to set his feet and do what he wanted to do. I think we went with the best shot and the right shot. I just didn’t make it.”
Anthony said he understands he can’t get the ball every time.
“[Smith] had an open shot or thought he had an open shot,” Anthony said. “I don’t think I’m going to get it every time.”
Losing to Orlando brings the 2-7 Knicks’ skid to six games. They host the Utah Jazz Friday night.
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