According to the New York Times, J.R Smith will be announced as the 2013 Sixth Man of the Year. The NBA will make the announcement at 2:30 EST from Madison Square Garden’s training center.
JR Smith will be announced as Sixth Man of the Year this afternoon.
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeckNYT) April 22, 2013
Smith averaged 18.1 points per game on 42.2 percent shooting from the field during the regular season. His previous career high in points came in the 2009-10 season when he averaged 15.4 ppg.
For the first time in his career, Smith didn’t start a single game during the regular season, but somehow still found a way to contribute to the Knickerbockers during a stint plagued with injuries.
After a subpar start to the season, Smith exploded in the month of March, tallying 22.1 ppg in 18 games played while grabbing six rebounds and racking up 1.4 steals.
But it didn’t stop there.
Smith’s heroics poured over into the month of April, where in eight games he continued his hot streak, once again tallying 22 points per game for the month.
The NBA will make an announcement at 2:30 PM today at MSG Training Center.
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) April 22, 2013
The 18th overall pick in the 2004 Draft, J.R. has become as known for his aggressive, often brilliant play as for his inconsistency and inefficiency — the kind of player that can break out for thirty points for six games straight, only to go 1-7 and spend his post-game time engaging in Twitter propositions the following night.
Love him or hate him (please tell me you love him, because I certainly do), Smith has been the second scoring option and crucial offensive piece on an aged Knicks squad whose prospects heading into the season varied depending on who you asked.
Smith started the postseason on Saturday going 7-for-19 from the field, 1-for-7 from three, and missed his only free throw attempt, yet still found a way to contribute: 15 points, five rebounds, and a couple memorable highlights, punctuated by a thunderous second quarter driving dunk.
Smith finished the season with seven outings of 30 points or more. He also tallied a PER of 17.6, an increase from 15.2 last season.