Derek Fisher, welcome to the New York Knicks. Knicks veteran swingman and former Sixth Man of the Year Award winner J.R. Smith told ProBasketballTalk.com he only wants to start for the Knicks going forward. "No more bench for me... mark my words," Smith told the website.
Nope no more bench for me!! RT @Stangg_ @TheRealJRSmith getting 6th man this coming season, mark my words
— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) June 10, 2014
J.R. Smith, Brandon Jennings at odds
While clearly not always pleased by then coach Mike Woodson's decision to bring him off the bench last season, Smith soldiered on, averaging 15 points, four rebounds and three assists in 74 games.
A 10-year veteran, Smith has has averaged 15 points and four rebounds in his three seasons in New York, including his 2012-13 award winning season when he averaged 18 points and five rebounds.
Soon after assuming control of the Knicks, Jackson praised Smith for his energy and scoring ability, which he felt might make the Knicks a dangerous playoff team.
"I felt like they played a lot better against higher quality teams, or tougher teams, than they have against also-rans," Jackson told reporters of Smith and veteran forward Amare Stoudemire at the time. "But I think they're playing with great energy now and they're playing with a purpose, and I appreciate that."
Smith started the season under league suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy and two months later was fined $50,000 for repeatedly untieing the laces of opposing players.
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