The plan to have the defensive-minded Ronnie Brewer start at shooting guard has caused some friction between J.R. Smith and New York Knicks head coach Mike Woodson, leaving Smith "disappointed" with the sixth man role.
Woodson's decision Wednesday to have Smith come off the bench left Smith saying that "disappointed is an understatement," according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.
"My whole process of getting better this summer and everything I went through was to be in that starting role," Smith added. "It was great to be able to have put all that work in and understand what I can do and my body can withhold without starting. I think it just makes our bench even stronger."
Though Smith is disappointed, his comments yesterday seemed more willingly to comply with Woodson's request. A few weeks ago, Smith was heavily campaigning to become the starter this season.
"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. But at the same time, you have to understand this is a team game and you have to put individual goals aside."
Though Smith didn't get his way, this should cause little tension between himself and Woodson. The two have developed a strong relationship. Woodson has had Smith focus more on his defense, thus making him a more complete player.
The relationship between Smith and Woodson can possibly be the reason why Smith accepted to less money to re-sign with the Knicks this summer.
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