Knicks Close To Deal For J.R. Smith

[rondohondo]

The Knicks are close to agreement on a deal with J.R. Smith.

New York will need to cut a player to make room for Smith.

Smith has also been considering the Clippers.
Via Frank Isola/New York Daily News (via Twitter)

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/219046/Knicks_Close_To_Deal_For_JR_Smith


Looks like NY isn't going to be having any backcourt problems now. Lin, Jr Smith and Fields are very solid.

And look out Chi and Mia , On paper NY will have the best starting 5 in the league IMO.

[FrDrake]

JR is a chucker and a head case...so he'll fit in perfectly on the Knicks and w/ No D'Antoni.

[PosImpos]

And look out Chi and Mia , On paper NY will have the best starting 5 in the league IMO.

Eh, I can't really agree with this.

Lin / Smith / Melo / Amare / Chandler is certainly one of the better starting lineups, but it's still questionable defensively, and I'm fairly skeptical about how the pieces fit together on offense.  It's also worth noting that it's a group that hasn't played together in the playoffs before, and as we've seen in years past, continuity and chemistry play an enormous role in the playoffs.  That's where teams like the Lakers, Spurs, Mavs, Bulls, Heat etc will have a big advantage.

[Fafnir]

Well that'd really make their backcourt situation a ton better than it was to start the season.

If it happens Lin is going to have fun trying to manage Melo/Amar'e/Smith and their love of shooting.

[rondohondo]

And look out Chi and Mia , On paper NY will have the best starting 5 in the league IMO.

Eh, I can't really agree with this.

Lin / Smith / Melo / Amare / Chandler is certainly one of the better starting lineups, but it's still questionable defensively, and I'm fairly skeptical about how the pieces fit together on offense.  It's also worth noting that it's a group that hasn't played together in the playoffs before, and as we've seen in years past, continuity and chemistry play an enormous role in the playoffs.  That's where teams like the Lakers, Spurs, Mavs, Bulls, Heat etc will have a big advantage.

The same spurs team that got booted in the first round last year by an inexperienced Grizzlies team w/o their best player?

[PosImpos]

And look out Chi and Mia , On paper NY will have the best starting 5 in the league IMO.

Eh, I can't really agree with this.

Lin / Smith / Melo / Amare / Chandler is certainly one of the better starting lineups, but it's still questionable defensively, and I'm fairly skeptical about how the pieces fit together on offense.  It's also worth noting that it's a group that hasn't played together in the playoffs before, and as we've seen in years past, continuity and chemistry play an enormous role in the playoffs.  That's where teams like the Lakers, Spurs, Mavs, Bulls, Heat etc will have a big advantage.

The same spurs team that got booted in the first round last year by an inexperienced Grizzlies team w/o their best player?

The Spurs' best player, you'll recall, was dealing with an injury to his shooting elbow.  That series was also incredibly close -- and the Grizzlies eventually lost to a team whose core had been together for a number of years.

[letsgoblue86]

I look forward to seeing JR Smith and Carmelo alternate chucking shots.

[indeedproceed]

Smith/Melo/AMare/Chandler: 4 great pieces, 3 mismanaged roles.

[PosImpos]

Smith/Melo/AMare/Chandler: 4 great pieces, 3 mismanaged roles.

yeah, to me it seems like a team that would be much, much better in a video game than in real life.

[Donoghus]

Smith/Melo/AMare/Chandler: 4 great pieces, 3 mismanaged roles.

Add Lin to that mix and you have a potentially combustive situation, offensively.

Have fun with that New York.

[rondohondo]

I don't think it will be as big of a problem as most of you are saying. I mean Melo and JR Smith were both on the Nuggets team that made to the conference finals while playing with Chauncey Billups . Of course it will take time to gel , but these guys are explosive scorers . Put them with a PG who can get them easy open shots and it will make life much easier for them like when they played with Billups .

[mqtcelticsfan]

In totally unrelated news, the Knicks have petitioned the league to allow for 2 basketballs to be used at the same time on the court.

[rondohondo]

Now that I have thought about it a little bit longer, I think Smith should come in off the bench. I really like the chemistry between Lin and Fields, they seem to be really good friends. Plus Fields is a good defender and spot up shooter which fits better with Melo and Lin because he doesn't need the ball in his hands.

Then you can have Smith come in as 6th man when Melo needs a rest to pick up the scoring for the second unit .

[PosImpos]

Now that I have thought about it a little bit longer, I think Smith should come in off the bench. I really like the chemistry between Lin and Fields, they seem to be really good friends. Plus Fields is a good defender and spot up shooter which fits better with Melo and Lin because he doesn't need the ball in his hands.

Then you can have Smith come in as 6th man when Melo needs a rest to pick up the scoring for the second unit .

I agree.  Smith the sixth man makes a lot more sense.  The starting lineup needs Fields's glue-guy abilities more than Smith's streaky scoring.  Also gives the Knicks more consistency.

Better question, perhaps, is what role does Shumpert play?  How about Toney Douglas?  One or both of them has to get buried a bit.  Bill Walker probably sees his playing time mostly disappear, too.

[Chris]

Good for them.  I am not sure I love the fit, but it should at least be fun.