C’mon team, let’s keep it together. It’s not over yet! I know it’s not looking good, but we still have to believe! #Knicks #GoNYGoNYGo
The Pacers beat the Knicks 93-82 last night and Melo along with JR Smith had something to say about it…
Via ESPN:
JR BLAME:
If you’re looking for someone to blame for the New York Knicks’ 3-1 series deficit to the Indiana Pacers, J.R. Smith has a suggestion for you: start with him.
“I take the blame for this whole series,” Smith said after shooting 7-for-22 in the Knicks’ Game 4 loss. “It started off with Game 4 in Boston or Game 5. I haven’t been playing myself. I haven’t been playing my part. I’ve been letting my teammates down. I’ve been letting my coaches down.”
Smith has struggled all series against the Pacers. Smith is 18-for-64 in the series (28 percent).
“I have to play more efficient,” Smith said. “… It’s unacceptable.”
Smith has played through an illness that resulted in a 102-degree fever on Saturday. But he did not use that as an excuse for his poor play.
“I don’t make excuses,” he said. “I got to be able to step up and do what I do.”
In nine games, Smith is averaging 14.3 points per game on 33.6 percent shooting. He has made just 15 of his 53 3-point attempts (28 percent).
Smith’s struggles seem to have started in Game 5 of the Knicks-Celtics series.
“I haven’t shot the ball well since,” Smith said.
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MELO RIPS OFFENSE:
Tyson Chandler and Anthony cleared the air before Game 4 over comments Chandler made that suggested the Knicks were playing selfishly on offense.
Chandler clarified his remarks, saying he did not intend to single Anthony out.
“I wasn’t directing my comments at Carmelo Anthony. I was directing my comments at the New York Knicks,” Chandler said. “Any comment I ever make is for the team. It’s not about individuals. If I ever have a problem with Carmelo or anybody else on the team, I’m gonna discuss that [behind] closed doors, in-house. … We win as a team, we lose as a team. But it can be taken, however, when you throw a word out there.”
Anthony said he never felt singled out by Chandler’s remarks.
“I didn’t take it like he was throwing a jab at me. Our offense has been s—. He has the right to say that,” Anthony said. “We haven’t been effective on the offensive end. We’re not making shots. It is what it is. Me and Tyson talked. Nothing wrong with that.”
