Since J.R Smith was suspended for elbowing Jason Terry in the Knicks vs. Celtics game 4, Smith’s shot hasn’t returned when he did. The Sixth Man of the Year has seen a dramatic fall in his shooting efficiency and his teammates only advice is to “keep shooting”. Read more after the jump.
The Knicks know how important Smith’s bench production can be to the team’s success. “It’s just something where he’s just gotta keep shooting. Every shooter goes through a slump, that’s what it is. He’s human, he’s not perfect. He’s gotta keep shooting the ball because we definitely need his scoring,” Raymond Felton said.
After averaging 18 points per game on 42 percent shooting during the regular season, Smith has seen his numbers plummet in recent games. In the three games against the Indiana Pacers, J.R Smith went 4-12, 3-15 and 4-15 from the field consecutively. In the last two games against the Celtics he went 3-14 and 5-13 from the field. Smith himself said he wouldn’t stop shooting “Regardless of if I miss five or six shots in a row the next seven or eight is going up regardless”, Smith continued, “I am a streaky shooter and that is how I get in my rhythm. That is how my teammates want us to play.”
I’m sure the Knicks hope he gets out of this slump soon because they definitely need his offensive help.
