Maybe there's hope for JR

Ignitowsky · Post #1 » by **Ignitowsky** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 4:24 am

This is a nice story because of the work that JR is doing with kids, but in addition, it gives me hope that he MIGHT finally be turning into a mature adult. Most of us grow up eventually. Some take longer than others. Maybe it's being in what is essentially a contract year, maybe Phish have been in his year, maybe he had an epiphany, or maybe he 'has just figured it out, but whatever it is, JR is at least saying the right things.

If JR can play at the level he did two seasons ago this can be a very good year for us. In addition, I'll be happy for JR as he's one of my favorite Knicks (despite all the craziness). I know that there's a lot of cause to be cynical, but I'm rooting for him not only because he'll help us but also because I think he's essentially a good person.

J.R.'s goal for the season: 'Be a leader'

August, 21, 2014

By Ian Begley | ESPNNewYork.com

J.R. Smith, in addition to helping kids, hopes to be a valuable reference for the Knicks in 2014.J.R. Smith has several goals entering the 2014-15 season.

He wants to help the Knicks make the playoffs and contend in the Eastern Conference. He wants to produce consistently on both ends of the floor.

All of these are normal goals for any NBA player.

But Smith has one goal that may surprise you:

"Be a leader," Smith said in an interview with ESPNNewYork.com on Thursday at his foundation's annual golf fundraiser. "We've got so many younger guys around. A lot of the older guys left within the last two years. So be more of a leader and help out."

J.R. Smith

Smith
Smith is going into his 11th season, so he has the experience to take on a leadership role. But will he be able to transition from a player who has gotten into trouble, both on and off the court, to a player whom the Knicks organization can count on in a leadership role?

That's the goal.

"Just 'show instead of say' and stuff like that," Smith, speaking at his fundraiser for the J.R. Smith Youth Foundation at Eagle Ridge Golf Club, said when asked about his leadership approach. "'Sheed [Rasheed Wallace], J Kidd [Jason Kidd] -- those guys led by example and that's what I'm going to try to do."

Smith was involved in several incidents last season that drew the ire of the Knicks. Whether or not that compromises his ability to lead is a debate we'll leave for fans and members of the organization.

When it comes to on-court matters, Smith said he feels fully healthy coming into the season, which is different from how he was feeling last summer following offseason knee surgery.

The procedure hampered him early in the season and impacted his production. Smith found his form later in the season, hitting 43 percent of his 3-pointers in a starting role in the last six weeks of the season.

Now that he is fully healthy, Smith expects to produce on a more consistent basis this season. He also agrees with teammate and longtime friend Carmelo Anthony: The Knicks will be a playoff team this season after winning just 37 games in 2013-14.

"Absolutely. We should be," Smith said. "We should have been one last year. This year, definitely."

Helping the youth: Through his youth foundation, Smith hopes to help young athletes in and around New Jersey. One of the goals of the foundation is to expose young athletes to golf. Smith is an avid golfer and hopes to show young athletes around his hometown of Lakewood, New Jersey, the benefits of the sport.

"My goal is just to help kids who have certain talents who don't really have a chance to be seen. There are people that can put them in positions they want to be. I just want to help make the extra push to the youth," Smith said. "Especially in this area, we've got a lot of young talent that gets lost in the numbers.

"I just want to show kids a different side of sports. So many people play basketball, baseball, football. Once they get around [golf], they'll realize it's fun. I just want to open the door to show them they have options."

Dantares · Post #2 » by **Dantares** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 4:25 am

Post #3 » by **KnicksGod** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 4:31 am

Tron Carter · Post #4 » by **Tron Carter** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 4:31 am

ibraheim718 · Post #5 » by **ibraheim718** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 4:34 am

Good things turn bad when people try and be someone they ain't..

Tron Carter · Post #6 » by **Tron Carter** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 4:40 am

let's be honest, swish couldn't even spell l-e-a-d-e-r

alwaysaknick · Post #7 » by **alwaysaknick** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 4:42 am

xNewYorkMadex · Post #8 » by **xNewYorkMadex** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 4:45 am

Jr always says the right things. Never seems to actually act on it.

Jr can try to be a leader, but I dont believe he will be an effective one. Sheed and Kidd were both vets who had rings to back up their leadership. You dont necessarily need a ring to be a good leader, but it does help. Leaders are players who have respect of the entire locker room, dont think Jr will fit into that category.

emo · Post #9 » by **emo** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 4:57 am

BBALLER4FR · Post #10 » by **BBALLER4FR** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 5:20 am

mrcalzone · Post #11 » by **mrcalzone** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 5:33 am

Ignitowsky wrote:J.R.'s goal for the season: 'Be a leader'

Post #12 » by **Capn'O** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 5:38 am

alwaysaknick wrote::lol:

KnicksGod wrote::lol:

Tron Carter wrote::lol:

Dantares wrote::lol:

HarthorneWingo · Post #13 » by **HarthorneWingo** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 5:39 am

Let's hope so. It would be a shame to let this kind of talent go to waste. But it's up to him.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqE7UzjZ39I[/youtube]

2010 · Post #14 » by **2010** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 5:45 am

Capn'O wrote:
alwaysaknick wrote::lol:

KnicksGod wrote::lol:

Tron Carter wrote::lol:

Dantares wrote::lol:

THIS IS THE REMIXXXXX....

:rofl:

Bill Pidto · Post #15 » by **Bill Pidto** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 5:59 am

I'm rooting for you, JR.

Jalen Bluntson · Post #16 » by **Jalen Bluntson** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 6:20 am

2010 wrote:
Capn'O wrote:
alwaysaknick wrote::lol:

KnicksGod wrote::lol:

Tron Carter wrote::lol:

Dantares wrote::lol:

THIS IS THE REMIXXXXX....

DUB STYLE!!

:rofl2:

Fat · Post #17 » by **Fat** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 6:21 am

Cant wait until JR returns to sixth man of the year form and everyones riding his pipe again

Post #18 » by **Brooklyn_Yards** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 6:22 am

The day JR becomes a leader is the day I'll grow a dick.

Jalen Bluntson · Post #19 » by **Jalen Bluntson** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 6:24 am

Nyk_Fatboy wrote:Cant wait until JR returns to sixth man of the year form and everyones riding his pipe again

Neither can we. Question is...will it happen? Words are wind. I will believe it when I see it. I will applaud it and bronze his sack when he does. 'Til then... :banghead:

Post #20 » by **KnicksGod** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 6:35 am

Brooklyn_Yards wrote:The day JR becomes a leader is the day I'll grow a dick.

Thought you were going to say "is the day I'll keep my shoelaces tied."

More chance of yours than his.