J.R. Smith: I'm Not Used To Putting The Team Over Myself
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Earlier this month, Knicks shooting guard J.R. Smith admitted that getting used to the triangle offense would take the team "a few months."
Well it remains to be seen how the team will adjust to the new offense -- the first regular-season game is next week -- but Smith is still struggling with the new approach led by team president Phil Jackson and head coach Derek Fisher.
The 29-year-old is learning that, in this system, he has no choice but to play differently.
"I mean -- believe it or not -- being the type of player I've been, it's a struggle," Smith said. "I'm not going to lie. Trying to think about the rest of the team over myself or my scoring is something that I never really had to do before. 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."
Jackson, famous for implementing the triangle offense and achieving great success with it, strongly believes that his players are athletic enough to run the triangle effectively.
Though this system might be foreign to Smith, the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year has faith in his bosses and is ready to do whatever it takes to win a championship.
"(Fisher) just told me -- look at the rings they have," Smith said. "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."
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