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J.R. Smith on triangle offense: 'Being the type of player I've been, it's a struggle'

Jerome Miron / USA Today Sports

The triangle offense relies upon passing, cutting, quick ball movement and all around selfless play. Those traits don't exactly fit J.R. Smith's game.

"I mean, believe it or not, being the type of player I've been, it's a struggle. I'm not going to lie," Smith said of getting used to the Knicks' new system, according to ESPN New York.

"Trying to think about the rest of the team over myself or my scoring is something that I never really had to do before," the former Sixth Man of the Year added. "I've always been in a situation to score, (now I'm) in position to take my time and let the game come and let my teammates succeed more than myself, I think that's the ultimate win."

Smith said earlier this month that the triangle would take a few months for the team to learn, but he did add on Thursday that Derek Fisher and Phil Jackson's success with the system made it easier to accept.

"He just told me – look at the rings they have," Smith said of Fisher. "It's worked. I want one so bad, I'll do whatever it takes. If it takes me sacrificing my scoring, that's what it takes."

On Wednesday, Jackson told ESPN's Charley Rosen that Smith "has to learn the difference between a good shot and a bad shot."

Between Carmelo Anthony, Smith, Jose Calderon and others, the Knicks have some potent offensive options that should be intriguing to watch in the triangle. But even if Smith and Anthony do learn do adapt their games to fit the new offensive system, the team's bigger issues will be on the defensive end, where New York has few reliable stoppers.

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