J.r. Smith On The Triangle Offense: "too Much Thinking"

LALakersFan4Life · Jan 9, 2015

By Kevin Kernan
January 8, 2015 | 5:23am

CLEVELAND — Figuring out the triangle is no longer his problem and J.R. Smith couldn’t be happier.

“It’s almost too much thinking,’’ Smith told The Post Wednesday night before the slumping, LeBron James-less Cavaliers were rocked by the Rockets, 105-93, Smith’s first game as a Cavalier. He missed all five shots he took.

But at least he isn’t a Knick any longer, where the vibe at the Garden was troublesome.

“Everybody in the building was pretty much walking on eggshells so it was kind of hard to prosper in that way, especially when you are not accustomed to it,’’ Smith said. “But eventually I’m sure they’ll get it right.’’

The Knicks, who lost 101-91 to the Wizards Wednesday night for their 13th consecutive loss, a franchise record, had a different take.

Asked about Smith’s comment, coach Derek Fisher said after the game, “We’ve been very frank how we’re learning together — whether that’s eggshells or whether that’s trying to learn how to win, it depends on the person you’re talking to.’’

“Everybody has their own opinion,’’ a dejected Tim Hardaway Jr. said. “We’ll continue to use the system and make it work.’’’

As for Smith, he said his off night in his Cavaliers debut was partly a result of how the Knicks have used him this season. Call it T.R. for J.R. — Triangle Rust.

“I just got to get back to getting into my package, playing in a different offense for 37 games, I really wasn’t allowed to do what I normally did and I’m trying to get back to that,’’ Smith said of the night he was as cold as the 12-degree temperature outside. “It’s going to be a little different.’’

Will the triangle work for the Knicks?

“I think it will work, but the thing about it is that you also have to have the personnel to run that,’’ Smith said. “You’ve got to have those two legit bigs, you have to have a wing scorer and you have to have a point guard who distributes and who can also score. Once they get the core right, it’s got a chance, but they have to get the players.’’

Smith admitted that when he was traded Monday along with Iman Shumpert to the Cavaliers, he was upset, mainly because of his longtime friendship with Carmelo Anthony.

“I was upset that I don’t get to play with my best friend who I’ve played with for the last nine or 10 years,’’ he said. “We’ve been together so long and we complemented each other so well from the inside out game.

“Off the court too, we hung at each other’s houses.

“Last year we had more of an effort thing,’’ he said of the Knicks. “Maybe we were locked into what we were supposed to be. This year we were trying to do the right thing, there were just too many things going around.’’

No triangle. No excuses.

“I’m excited, ’’ he said. “Being around the [Cavaliers] players, the coaches, the front office, the practice facility to see how everything is done. It’s one thing when everything is done the right way, but it’s another thing when everything is done the right way for a purpose. I think everything is being done here for a purpose.’’

That is a telling comment.

“The real goal is to win a championship, right now,” he said. “As opposed to saying, ‘We’re going to be good, but it’s going to take two to three years.’ This is more of a right-now team.’’

Smith’s advice to Knicks fans?

“It’s hard to say because it’s been a long time, but they have to be patient, it’s going to be a process, but I promise it will work out for the best,’’ he said.

Asked if he still believes in what Phil Jackson is doing, Smith said, “Absolutely, the person that he is and what he believes in, he believes in it so much but it has no choice but to work, in a sense. I’m a firm believer in that.’’

As for the Cavaliers, who traded for center Timofey Mozgov on Wednesday, Smith said, “I believe we can be one of the best teams in the league, if not the best.’’

Maybe, but the Cavs have issues. James is out for at least another week.

The King blessed the former Knicks.

“J.R. is a guy who spaces the floor for us, who can create his own shot, he’s a very athletic guy who has 51 playoff games,” James said. “Shump is a young guy who can be Jimmy Butler at some point for our team.’’

“We have a great relationship,’’ Smith said of LeBron. “He’s a Cowboys fan, I’m a Cowboys fan, so we’re good all around.’’

Smith said he was not surprised to be traded.

“There’s been a lot of talk that they want to clear house over there,’’ he said. “The way it was done caught me off guard, warming up, stuff like that, I thought that was a poor decision.’’

Smith will let it fly.

“My motto is ‘When in doubt, shoot the ball,’’’ J.R. said with a smile.

That’s not difficult to figure out.
Click to expand...

http://nypost.com/2015/01/08/now-with-cavaliers-j-r-smith-takes-few-digs-at-knicks/

He sets himself up. Smith only understands one offensive system: Catch ball-Shoot ball.

therealdeal · Jan 9, 2015

Oh I'm sure it was too much thinking for him.

lakerfan2 · Jan 9, 2015

I'm surprised this guy actually knew how to even say Triangle Offense:

ZenMaster · Jan 9, 2015

He actually sounded way more coherent and respectful that I though he would.

432J · Jan 9, 2015

and this is surprising?

puffyusaf#2 · Jan 9, 2015

another guy with other world level talent and underworld brains. As a fan of the sport this guy could do anything on offense skill wise. As a fan of players who know when and where to be amazing this guy would be like getting hit by a train just to make it stop so you could get on. Dumb as hell. He would of thrived in the run and gun suns team not something like the Triangle. He is going to kill Clev lol

LTLakerFan · Jan 9, 2015

The Americanization of David Blatt's coaching experience, dealing with all the divas and head cases. Wonder if he had it to do over again for the bigger money if he would?

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J.r. Smith On The Triangle Offense: "too Much Thinking"

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