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J.R. Smith Likes Being The New Dennis Rodman

By Andrew Melnick

New York Knicks president Phil Jackson compared guard J.R. Smith to one of his former players, Dennis Rodman, while Rodman himself called J.R. Smith the "new Dennis Rodman." Smith likes the comparison. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
New York Knicks president Phil Jackson compared guard J.R. Smith to one of his former players, Dennis Rodman, while Rodman himself called J.R. Smith the "new Dennis Rodman." Smith likes the comparison. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Knicks president Phil Jackson compared guard J.R. Smith to one of his former players, Dennis Rodman, while Rodman himself called J.R. Smith the “new Dennis Rodman.” Smith likes the comparison.

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New York Knicks’ president Phil Jackson has likened guard J.R. Smith to one of his former players – Dennis Rodman.

Dennis Rodman, himself, agreed, calling J.R. Smith the “new Dennis Rodman”

J.R. Smith seems very happy with the comparison.

“I thought it was funny. He took time out of his day to think about me and [Knicks president Phil Jackson], so I think it’s great,” Smith said after practice Friday via Ian Begley of ESPN New York. “Being compared to Dennis Rodman anyway I think is a great thing, so I’ll take it, I like it.”

J.R. Smith even explained how the two are similar (hint: it’s not the rebounding by Dennis Rodman or the outside shooting by J.R. Smith).

“I think the reputation [is similar],” Smith said. “Females. Nightlife. Whatever people want to say about us, we’re kind of similar. I think just in general overall, the way we are. We work hard on the court, we play hard off the court, so I’ll take it.”

If J.R. Smith gives the same kind of energy and effort Dennis Rodman did, the Knicks will be quite pleased.

J.R. Smith went for 14.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 41.5% from the floor, 39.4% from three and 65.2% from the charity stripe last season. In his career, he has averaged 13.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 42.5% from the field, 37.1% from beyond the arc and 73.7% from the foul line.

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