---

------------------------------------------------------------------------------


NEWARK -- J.R. Smith looked at the calendar Wednesday and realized he had 20
days to decide whether to pick up his $2.44-million option to play for the
Knicks next season. The Knicks' sixth man and New Jersey native isn't sure
what he will do, but Smith likes being close to home.


"I'm getting kind of spoiled right now, going up and down the Turnpike,"
Smith said. "My mom's right there. She's cooking. She's coming up to New York
and cleaning my place.


"After having that, I think it's going to be harder off the court than it
will be on the court [to leave]. On the court basketball is basketball
everywhere. But you got your family and friends and everybody, so it will be
tough."


His family and some Knicks, including Jared Jeffries and assistant coaches
Herb Williams and Jim Todd, supported Smith Wednesday when his foundation
teamed with The First Tee to kick off their golf youth program at Weequahic
Park Golf Course.


If Smith opts out by the June 26 deadline, the Knicks can give him 120
percent of last year's salary or $2.8 million. But they would have to dip
into their midlevel exception for Smith and that money could go to Jeremy Lin
or other free agents.


The Knicks hope the players union wins next Wednesday's appeal to get Lin and
Steve Novak "Early Bird Rights," which would allow them to re-sign both
players without using any of their exceptions. The outcome should be known by
the time Smith decides what to do.


"I want to be here so I'm not really putting too much emphasis on it," he
said. "I got money now. It's all about winning, and whatever is the best
situation and the best fit really.


"If all things are equal, I'm staying."


Smith, who played in China before joining the Knicks in February, averaged
12.5 points in 35 games. He struggled in the playoffs, hitting just 31.6
percent from the field, including 18 percent from three. In his exit meeting,
coach Mike Woodson told Smith to work on his midrange game.


"Not so much a jump shooter, but get to the basket more, which is something I
definitely have to work on, without a doubt," Smith said. "Get to the
free-throw line. To be athletic and having the talent that I have and not get
to the free-throw line, it's tough."



--

--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc)
◆ From: 111.242.17.168
※ 編輯: skymay          來自: 111.242.3.248        (06/07 10:41)

--