The New York Knicks suffered back-to-back losses after a blowout to the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday and are struggling, losing six of their first nine games. Mike Woodson is reconsidering the Knicks' starting lineup, specifically the possibility of sending J.R. Smith back to the bench, reports Ian Begley of ESPN New York:
Mike Woodson might send J.R. Smith to bench, according to report
Could the reigning Sixth Man of the Year return to his role off the bench?
Maddie Meyer
After the game, Mike Woodson said he’d consider lineup changes, including sending Smith back to the bench.
“I’m going to continue to shuffle and do things that I think is right by our team to try to find the right combinations to win,” Woodson said.
Smith's shooting has been terrible to start the season, making just 12 of his 53 total field goal attempts. He is shooting 26 percent from beyond the arc and 22 percent overall. His first game of the season against the San Antonio Spurs can serve as an analogy to how badly the other three games have been. Take a peek at the trio of air-balls he put up in his first game back after serving a five-game suspension for violating the NBA's substance abuse policy:
How about a wide-open three?
How about no. Things could be on the upswing, though. At least he hit backboard Saturday against the Hawks:
The team has already held a players-only meeting and Carmelo Anthony publicly called out his teammates after their most recent loss, saying it's like they are "not even trying right now."
Smith has started in three of the four games he has been available, averaging 9.8 points in 33.6 minutes per game.
More from SB Nation NBA:
See More:
