Not even Jesus Christ can save the New York Knicks now.
Then again, Raymond Felton isn’t asking him to.
J.R. Smith launched an NBA-record 22 three-pointers during the Knicks’ Sunday afternoon loss to the Miami Heat. So, wow. He drilled 11 of them, also setting the Knicks franchise record for made three-pointers in a single game. So, wow again.
Unfortunately, the Knicks still lost, falling two games behind the Atlanta Hawks—three in the loss column—for the Eastern Conference’s No. 8 seed with only four games left to play.
But still, wow.
Twenty-two three-point attempts is a lot. A whole lot. Carmelo Anthony averages fewer field-goal attempts overall per game (21.5). So yeah, it’s a helluva lot.
To Smith’s credit, it’s not like Anthony was feeling it. He shot 4-of-17 from the floor, which sort of forced Smith to do more, to shoot more. But 22 three-point attempts? Twenty-freaking-two?
Jesus. Christ.
That was Felton’s reaction, at least. Upon being informed by Amar’e Stoudemire that Smith set the record for the most three-point attempts in NBA history, that’s exactly what Felton exclaimed, per The Wall Street Journal‘s Chris Herring:
Stoudemire told Felton that JR Smith took an NBA-record 22 threes in the loss. Felton said in response, "Jesus Christ."
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) April 6, 2014
Fitting, wouldn’t you say?
Well, maybe not.
No matter who’s shooting them—be it Stephen Curry, Kobe Bryant or that kid/man-child from the playground you absolutely despise—22 three-point attempts is absurd. Smith, however, has a knack for the absurd. He’s also not one to shy away from letting treys rip.
Swish has now hit at least nine three-pointers in a single game five times for his career. That’s the most among active players, and the most of any player dating back as far as 1985.
So, you know, wow times four.
Smith’s feat, if you want to even call it that, matters very little now. It’s barely even a novelty Knicks fans can look back upon fondly. Had the Knicks won, it’s different. There is something to celebrate.
Instead of celebrating a victory, though, the Knicks completely watched any control they had over their imminent fate dissipate into nothingness. Making the playoffs is now beyond a long shot. Losing to the Washington Wizards was devastating. Losing to the Heat, while expected, just might kill their playoff hopes altogether.
The Hawks have six games remaining, two more than the Knicks. Even if the boys in orange and blue plan on winning out, they need the Hawks to go 2-4 the rest of the way. With games remaining against the Charlotte Bobcats, Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets, it’s possible they will be handed three losses right there. But their other three opponents consist of the Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics.
Maybe the Hawks lose one of those games and finish the season 2-4. Picturing the Knicks going 4-0 against the Toronto Raptors (twice), Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls, though, is difficult. Their ceiling during that stretch seems to be 3-1, meaning the Hawks must go 1-5. Good luck hoping that happens.
Whatever transpires between now and regular season’s end, we’ll always have Smith’s 22 three-point attempts, not to mention Felton’s surprise prayer afterward.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com.
