If JR Smith was starter worthy he would start, but he is too erratic in everything he does on the court to trust with heavy minutes.
He will probably get the chance but only because of the injury to Iman Shumpert.
Unlike Carmelo Anthony who said he is willing to do whatever it takes to win, J.R. is only worried about his status. Here is what he had to say courtesy of Pro Basketball Talk.
“I would prefer to start. I would rather be a starter,” he said. “My goal was to come in here and be a starter, and play with those other four guys on the floor. It is frustrating after a while that people see me as a sixth man, sixth man, sixth man, when you believe you’re a starter.”
Mike Woodson hasn’t decided who his starter should be.
I believe it should be Ronnie Brewer, the Knicks have enough offensive firepower in the starting lineup, JR is best suited for the 6th man role even if he doesn’t like it.