NEW YORK – J.R. Smith is following a stint playing in China by joining “Lin-sanity”, the veteran shooting guard being signed on Friday by the New York Knicks.
The Knicks won seven games in a row since Jeremy Lin, the first US-born NBA player of Taiwanese and Chinese heritage, came from obscurity at the end of the bench to a starting role and the best start by an NBA newcomer in 35 years.
Lin made the most of an opportunity because top players were out for the Knicks, but has adapted his game to a support role with Amare Stoudemire back and Carmelo Anthony expected to return on Sunday when reigning NBA champion Dallas will visit New York.
Add to that the bonus of Smith, who said he was looking at a handful of teams to join once his Chinese team’s season ended and he became eligible to sign with an NBA club.
“New York Knicks It Is!” Smith posted on his Twitter account.
Renaldo Balkman, a reserve forward, tweeted that he was leaving the Knicks, likely making room for the team to sign Smith.
The Knicks are 20th among 30 NBA clubs in shooting percentage and fifth-worst in 3-point shooting, hitting only 30 percent from beyond the arc.