That the New York Knicks needed time and practice to adapt to new coach Derek Fisher's triangle offense was predictable.
But with training camp behind them and eight preseason games under their belts, one would hope the Knicks had gained a firmer grasp of the system. For one mercurial guard, at least, that isn't quite the case.
"Thinking too much," J.R. Smith said of his continued, well-documented struggles in the triangle, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post. "It’s just not (being) really sure where my shots come at. I don’t want to take it early, but I’m getting good looks early. Just got to keep running the offense and trust the offense. Hopefully it will come."
"I really got to find out where my shots come from on a consistent basis, honestly. My sweet spot has to change. I got to find a sweet spot in there."
Smith boasted earlier in the preseason that the Knicks have the NBA's best shooting guard rotation, but that's yet to bear out on the court, especially on the offensive end. Smith shot a dismal 34 percent from the field in preseason, and his fellow Knicks 2-guards didn't fare much better, with Iman Shumpert and Tim Hardaway Jr. shooting 35 and 43 percent, respectively.
The Knicks as a whole shot 42 percent in their eight preseason games.
"I don’t think satisfied exists in professional sports," coach Fisher said of his players feeling their way through the new system. "That’s what I just got through talking to about with the guys. If you’re comfortable, then you’re probably not doing something the right way."
The Knicks open their season at home against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday.
