Since this has been a highly talked about topic in here recently, it deserves it's own thread. A lot of people here recently have been worried about JR Smith. Whether or not he's going to fit, find PT, etc. Personally, I think the kid has a lot of potential and could come in and be one of our top bench producers, much like Ben Gordon was a couple years back. He's got a world of potential and athletic ability, he just needs to find the right situation. The negative aspects, for some of you however, might outweight the positives. So far, under Byron Scott, he's shown nothing but a poor attitude. When criticized by Scott last year, he didn't respond well to it. He was continually benched for not getting along well with Scott and not responding well to his criticism. So, if he can't respond well to Scott, what happens when he gets Skiles as his head coach? Will this change of scenery help him get his head on straight? Or will he continue to whine about being criticized? Cause, one thing we all know about Skiles is he's not afraid to tell you what's on his mind. He's a hard nosed coach, and if you're not putting forth what he finds to be an ample amount of effort, he's going to rip into you. JR Smith has never been known for putting forth effort, and if he doens't this year, well...we all remember what happened to Tim Thomas, and I'm sure JR Smith knows all about it as well. If he doesn't want that to be him, he'd best start listening to his coach and start learning how to take criticism a little better. All in all, when it comes down to it, this is as hit or miss as it may come for us. If we get the player that was in New Orleans under Coach Scott, we may as well kiss him goodbye. Skiles isn't going to put up with his childish behavior and his lack of effort. Or, will we get the player people think he can be? Will we get the JR Smith that wasn't shown in New Orleans? Will he respond well to Scott's criticism and use it as fuel out on the court? Will he put forth effort on both ends of the court? If we can get the JR Smith that's willing to learn, willing to put forth effort, and the one that will take criticism and not whine about it, we could have a great player on our hands. I'm hoping, after his time New Orleans, that he realized that the way he was acting, just isn't going to cut in the NBA.
I view this year as a probation year for Smith. I think no matter what happens he will be a Bull for at least this season. After this year there is a team option on him which if the team picks up will keep him under contract one more season, if not he becomes a free agent. Therefore, it is not that big a risk by the Bulls in acquiring him. I view him in the same light you do he is a kid with immense potential, but has many ghosts to exorcise if he plans to play for Skiles. He will be held to what I refer to as the Tim Thomas standard. First time he messes up he will be benched, second time he will be sent home, from there he will be either waived/not resigned. I still have faith that Smith will come in with a certain level of humility because of what happened in New Orleans. He cannot afford to mess up again; he already has one strike on his record. It will be hard for him to get playing time, barring injury, but if he comes in and shows he is willing to work he will get an opportunity (everyone does). If he takes advantage of that opportunity I can see him playing a role similar to that of Malik Allen’s down the stretch of the season (off the bench though).
I look at it like this, J.R Basically Threw last season in the garbage. If hes willing to Have two wasted seasons because of beefs, in my opinion he doesnt deserve to be in the league. Some people just cant see past their own nose. But luckily for him he wont be on a losing team this year. And somtimes winning is the cure all. If J.R. has his mind in reality he knows hes gonna have to work his ass of for playing time. If he does this will be a great season for him. I dont mean a great season of stats. I mean a great opportunity to growup and become a man. Because the bulls are a team full of men who can show him the way. I really dont have a prediction for him, hes a question mark.
I have a feeling that J.R is not going to get along with Skiles, I don't see him having much of a future in Chicago. He doesn't play defense, and he has not shown yet that he is a team player
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting El Toro:</div><div class="quote_post">I have a feeling that J.R is not going to get along with Skiles, I don't see him having much of a future in Chicago. He doesn't play defense, and he has not shown yet that he is a team player</div>Here's the thing though. First, with him coming off the bench, he doesn't need to be a team player. He's going to come off the bench in a Ben Gordonesque role in my opinion (or at least that's how we should use him). He should come in to give us offense and do that in a hurry. We don't need him to pass and set others up, that's what Duhon and Kirk are for, we need him to score when he comes in. Secondly, I think he now realizes how easy it is to screw up and fall out of favor, and that when that happens, nothing good comes out it. He doesn't want another season of sitting the bench because he doesn't see eye to eye with the coach. I think last season showed him what happens when you mess up, and he's going to come to Chicago and try to make up for it. He wants to play, and he knows that he's going to have to put forth effort and put his ego aside when it comes to criticism. I think he realizes that this could be one of his last opportunities to showcase to people that he really does want to be here, and I think after falling out of favor with Scott last year, will change his mindset this year.
I dont think theres room on the Bulls roster for him, he's not the ideal player for Skiles and drafting Sefolosha didnt help. I dont think they brought him here to play, Pax is probably going to use him as trade bait.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Buckets:</div><div class="quote_post">I dont think theres room on the Bulls roster for him, he's not the ideal player for Skiles and drafting Sefolosha didnt help. I dont think they brought him here to play, Pax is probably going to use him as trade bait.</div> The thing is the market for Smith right now just is not very great. First of all his character issue is a huge red flag for teams that are interested in him. In addition, he is still on his rookie contract, which pays less than a million a year, Paxson has made it clear he wants to maintain cap flexibility to resign Hinrich, Deng, and Gordon in the upcoming years, or make a run at one of the big names in the 07? free agent class. Although, we could pull off a trade in which the contracts would not have to match up I cannot see why we would want to. If anything, should Smith not workout this season for us we will just decline to pick up his option for next year and allow him to become a free agent.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Best Kept Secret:</div><div class="quote_post">The thing is the market for Smith right now just is not very great. First of all his character issue is a huge red flag for teams that are interested in him. In addition, he is still on his rookie contract, which pays less than a million a year, Paxson has made it clear he wants to maintain cap flexibility to resign Hinrich, Deng, and Gordon in the upcoming years, or make a run at one of the big names in the 07? free agent class. Although, we could pull off a trade in which the contracts would not have to match up I cannot see why we would want to. If anything, should Smith not workout this season for us we will just decline to pick up his option for next year and allow him to become a free agent.</div> BKS said it best. As I said earlier, I doubt he is being shopped or going anywhere.
