Has Jason Smith Suddenly Found a Fit Within New York Knicks' Offense and Future?

Until mid-January, New York Knicks center-forward Jason Smith was easy to describe: mid-range jump shot specialist who happens to be a 7-footer. The end. Since then, Smith's become much more. Maybe not enough to remain the Knicks' starting center next season, but enough to be a key piece of the 2015-16 roster.

Smith has always been a dead shot from 15-20 feet, but he never bothered to shoot from anywhere else. He was a sloppy, disinterested defender who committed stupid fouls. He was unfocused, displayed in hilariously depressing fashion when instead of catching a ball passed by J.R. Smith, he let it whack him in the head.  

That changed mid-January. And for it, Knicks fans should thank New York forward Lou Amundson and Smith's infant daughter, Ella. 

Fernando Medina/Getty Images

It's possible that the poor guy was just tired. Fatherhood struck Smith Oct. 9, and months of interrupted REM sleep immediately followed. Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com wrote Jan. 30, "A few weeks ago, Ella started mostly sleeping through the night. Since then, her dad’s play has improved." 

Smith also seemed to be energized by Amundson—a former New Orleans Pelicans teammate who first signed with the Knicks in January.

Amundson's one of those quintessential "energy" players, known for his defense. His scrappy intensity gave a boost to all of the Knicks, but none more so than No. 14. In the dozen games since Amundson joined the starting lineup Jan. 19, Smith has been simply reborn.

Jason Smith, With Lou Amundson in Starting 5
	PTS	AST	REB	BLK	FG%	+/-
Pre-Lou	7.0	1.1	3.1	0.2	42.8	-6.9
With Lou	11.7	3.2	6.1	0.8	50.0	-0.3
Source: NBA.com/stats

Jan. 21, against the Philadelphia 76ers, the lazy defender logged three blocks and a snarling staredown with Michael Carter-Williams. Smith blocked more shots in the last 12 games than he did throughout the first 41.

Jan. 23, versus the Orlando Magic, the guy who hadn't sunk a triple all season knocked down three in one night. He's now shooting a confident 54.5 percent behind the arc.

Feb. 1, against the L.A. Lakers, the out-of-sync bumbler who let J.R.'s pass thwack him in the face fed a perfect lob to Carmelo Anthony for a one-handed slam.

Smith's doubled his rebounds and tripled his assists, and he scored a season-high 25 points in the team's last game before the All-Star break.   

As Marc Berman of the New York Post described it, Smith "had been a clumsy disappointment, especially on defense. With center Samuel Dalembert waived [Jan. 5], Smith had to become more of a rim protector and lively force on D. He has."

According to Berman, Knicks head coach Derek Fisher agreed.

"Jason Smith deserves a lot of credit defensively,’’ Fisher said. “His level of activity has gone up tremendously, blocking shots, rebounding, rotating very well. He made a big jump defensively for us. It’s at the right time.’’

Since Dalembert's departure, New York's frontcourt has gotten even thinner. Monday, the team bought out and waived Amar'e Stoudemire. Then they announced Wednesday, via a press release on NBA.com, that Carmelo Anthony will have season-ending knee surgery.

So, the Knicks need Smith, now, to produce on both ends of the floor—like he has the past five weeks. 

Nevertheless, it isn't likely that Smith will be starting center for the Knicks next season.

Seven seasons into his NBA career, Smith's developing into a big man who can stretch the floor, pass well and defend intelligently. That's great, but he still may be pushed out of the starting 5 spot by someone who's stronger in the low post—depending on whom the team picks up in the draft and free agency. 

Then again, who knows what another few months of good sleep will do for Jason Smith? Let's get Amundson to follow actor Jeff Bridges' example and record a soothing "Dreaming With Lou" album. If Smith nods off to that nightly, by draft day Knicks fans might be saying "Jahlil who?" 

(But probably not.)

All stats are from NBA.com/stats. Follow Sara Peters on Twitter @3FromThe7.