Lin tries to focus under opponents' pressure
Jeremy Lin of the New York Knicks in action against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden. (March 12, 2012) Credit: Jim McIsaac
Jeremy Lin has become a focal point when opposing teams strategize how to beat the Knicks, and he knows he has to do a better job of executing his own team's game plan.
Lin didn't against the 76ers Sunday.
He finished with 14 points and seven assists because of a decent fourth quarter. But Lin's poor shooting (5-for-18) and carelessness with the ball (six turnovers) contributed to the Knicks falling behind by 21 points. Heading into the fourth, Lin was 3-for-13 with nine points, five assists and four turnovers.
"I'm getting used to being like the primary or top one, two, three things on the scouting report and seeing a lot of different people try to take away what I was comfortable with," Lin said. "I need to make sure I stay aggressive and I don't change anything in terms of my approach. I can make better decisions, but I can't change my approach."
Lin's numbers have dipped dramatically in the last three weeks. He's shooting 37-for-99 (37.3 percent) and averaging 15.6 points, 7.4 assists and 4.1 turnovers in the last seven games. Those numbers are somewhat skewed because he has had bigger fourth quarters lately as the Knicks have trailed by at least 15 points in each of the seven games.
"Jeremy has to play a certain way," Mike D'Antoni said. "The floor has to be open. You got to play with energy and you got to go . . . He's going to be a very good point guard, a very good point guard."
Fine doesn't worry Smith
J.R. Smith doesn't plan to appeal his $25,000 NBA fine for posting inappropriate pictures on his Twitter page. He said he's more concerned with the Knicks' troubles. "I'm not really worried about that no more, man," Smith said. "I can't worry about off-the-court stuff. Our issue right now is on the basketball court. I'm focusing on the team winning games."
Down to 25 games
The Knicks, who lead the Bucks and Cavaliers by one game, have 25 games left, including 15 against teams that currently have better records. The other 10 games feature teams the Knicks have lost to six times. "If we play right, it doesn't matter who we play or where we play," D'Antoni said. "That's our goal. So far, we haven't demonstrated that night in and night out."
Buzzer-beaters
Tyson Chandler shaved his scraggly beard for the first time this season. "I thought I was going to start a new winning streak," he said. "Maybe it will start [Monday]." . . . D'Antoni didn't rule out Jared Jeffries, who missed his third straight game with a sore right knee, returning Monday night in Chicago.
