J. R. Smith

Earl Joseph Smith III. , Better known as JR Smith ( born September 9, 1985 in Freehold, New Jersey ) is an American professional basketball player who plays in the U.S. professional league NBA since the 2004/ 05 season. He moved directly from high school to the New Orleans Hornets, of which he was engaged at the 18th place in the draft in 2004. Smith is 1,98 m tall and plays at the position of shooting guards. He wore the number 23 at the New Orleans Hornets in reference to his idol Michael Jordan.

NBA career

In his rookie season, he scored an average of 10.3 points, 2 rebounds and 1.9 assists. He was one of the hopefuls in New Orleans that the third-worst team in the NBA represented in the 2004/05 season. He had his best game so far against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 26, 2005, in which he contributed 33 points to the victory of his team.

In his second ( sophomore ) season, however, Smith was unable to repeat the good performances as a rookie. He had too little developed; his defensive weakness was criticized by coach Byron Scott. Middle of the season he found himself more so on the bench than on the pitch. And as a consequence, he was replaced in the season break in 2006 along with PJ Brown to Chicago to center Tyson Chandler. The Chicago Bulls turn a little later sent him on to the Denver Nuggets. In return, the Bulls guard Howard Eisley and two future second-round picks received in the NBA Draft

As Smith's strengths are very good throw distance and its very good athleticism. He has mainly still in defensive behavior and game intelligence weaknesses.

At the NBA Allstar Weekend 2009 Smith participated in the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest, where he replaced the injured Rudy Gay. But he dropped out already in the first round. On 13 April of the same year he reached the home game against the Sacramento Kings with 45 points and eleven three-point throws new Karrierebestwerte.

After his contract expired in the summer of 2011, Smith moved due to the lockout in the NBA, the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in China. On February 17, 2012 will be China adventure was over and the New York Knicks took him under contract for one year.

During the season 2012/2013, Smith established himself as a performer coming off the bench and played a major role in the successful performance of the Knicks. For his achievements he was awarded the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award.

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