JR Smith is struggling and he knows it. The last thing the guard wants to hear are the fans telling him that he is struggling. As the New York Knicks continue their losing streak after dropping their ninth game to the New Orleans Pelicans, players and fans are starting to get frustrated. Smith is aware that his shot is not right at the moment, but now the guard is calling out fans for harassing him on Twitter.
Smith always seems to find trouble every time he jumps on social media. Earlier in the year he started drama after other NBA players called out the Knicks for signing Smith's brother to an inflated contract. Now, he is stirring up issues with the Knicks faithful. The guard has clearly not been his Sixth Man self since returning from a suspension after violating the league's substance-abuse policy. The fans have let him know that so he has a message for them.
"When we starting winning make sure y'all keep this same hate up! Don't try an hit me wit #beenaknick #foh."
Nicely done, Smith. Fans will certainly let him hear it when the team returns back to Madison Square Garden where they are in the midst of a seven-game home losing streak. Smith's shooting has been the big issue for the guard. Smith averaged 18.1 points per game during the 2012-13 season, earning him the reputation of the team's deadliest three-point shooter. Now, after signing a new three-year contract, Smith is putting up a career-low 32.8 percent shooting, throwing up at least 13 a night. Only 28.6 percent of his shots from beyond the arc have made it through the hoop.
"My jumper just hasn't been there," Smith said, via the New York Daily News. "That's situations where I got to make my teammates better, get guys open shots and keep driving to the hole. But one thing, I'm not going to stop shooting."
So what could be the real underlying issue for Smith? The guard did have surgery in the offseason to repair a patellar tendon injury and a meniscus tear. While he continues to battle with inconsistencies, Smith admits that his knee has hurt a bit, but he will not stop playing.
"Somewhat, but it's all right. I'm still playing," Smith said. "It's taking time. I'm not one to make excuses, but I gotta play better. If it hurts that bad, I shouldn't be playing. But I'm out there giving it all I got while I got it."
While Smith continues to work through his issues, he would prefer not to hear anything from the fans. Patience is running thin, so he can expect his mentions to keep coming in.
