Mike Woodson Asks For Himself To Be Blamed for Knicks’ Struggles, Not JR Smith

Predictably, New York Knicks head coach Mike Woodson went to bat for his embattled shooting guard. Instead of fans and media ripping Smith, Woodson is happy to shoulder the blame for the Knicks’ epic struggles (and baffling decision-making) in the second round of the NBA Playoffs. Per the NY Post: “Mike Woodson, trying to deflect attention from J.R. Smith, said the buck stops with him and he’s the first one to blame for the Knicks’ 3-1 series hole and potential downfall. Following Tuesday night’s Game 4 loss, Smith, amid a horrendous shooting slump, said in the visitor’s locker room that he’s the reason for the team’s woes. When asked about Smith’s bold declaration, Woodson said, ‘It’s not about all of that. Again, I’m the head coach. Blame it on me. I don’t look at it in that light. The bottom line is we’re all trying to do the right things to win basketball games. If we don’t have the slippage to start the series, we’re feeling pretty good about ourselves. But right now our backs are against the wall and my job is to get us out of this hole.'”