Knicks SG J.R. Smith: 'We stopped competing' Wednesday
The NBA season opener is certainly a bit early to lose that competitive edge, but Knicks shooting guard J.R. Smith claimed that's exactly what happened to his team Wednesday night against Chicago. The result was a 104-80 trouncing.
"When we stopped competing at the end of the third, fourth quarter, we could all tell," he told the New York Post. "[The Bulls] felt as though they smelled blood in the water. We just couldn't do anything about it. ... We put our heads down and tucked our tails, and we can't do that at home."
The Knicks trailed by 10 at halftime, but their deficit swelled to 35 in the fourth quarter as the fans booed. Smith, who scored just six points on 2-of-8 shooting in 22 minutes, added that the team is struggling to grasp the new triangle offense.
"I don't think we can be just thinking, thinking, thinking," he said. "Right now it's time to react. If somebody just kicks your mom's door and takes what they want, I think you have to react, you can't sit there thinking what should I do next."
Things don't get any easier for the Knicks, who travel to Cleveland for a Thursday night game in which LeBron James makes his regular season return to the Cavaliers.
More Updates
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com
Returning from an ankle injury, Rice entered the game with 1:42 remaining in the first quarter and knocked down a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter for his only basket of the night. He finished the game with five points on 1 of 2 shooting from the field and 2 of 3 from the free throw line. He added one rebound in 14 minutes of game action in a 105-98 victory.
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com
His next chance to return will come Saturday against the Bulls.
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com
Martin averaged 19.1 points per game with the club last year.
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com
Butler is dealing with a thumb injury, and did not play during Wednesday's opener. It's unclear when he'll return, though the fact that he was able to participate in 4-on-4 could bode well for his return.
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com
Napier scored just two points during the contest, but Spoelsta liked the way he fit into the offense. "I thought Shabazz really settled into the game and got us organized in three or four critical possessions in the third quarter and did a nice job in the beginning of the fourth," he said. Napier played 15 minutes opening night, but could be looking at more playing time if he continues to impress his coach.
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com
Gallinari was limited to 18 minutes in his since suffering an ACL injury in April 2013. He showed some rust, finishing with only seven points on 1 of 8 shooting from teh field and 4 for 4 from the charity stripe in a 89-79 victory. He'll likely be limited to 18-20 minutes per contest until he's back in game shape.
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com
Lopez missed the team's opener due to the issue. Once he's able to come back, Lopez will play his normal minutes. Last season, he averaged 20.7 points per game.
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com
Both players were suspended for opening night after leaving the bench during a preseason altercation. Nene averaged 14.2 points per game last season. Blair averaged 6.4 points last year.
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com