J.R. Smith entered the postseason playing the best basketball of his career at the most opportune time.

After expressing a strong desire to start during training camp, Smith accepted his bench role and fulfilled it to the fullest by winning the Sixth Man of the Year Award.

Known primarily around the league as a selfish scoring guard who took too many bad shots and failed to play adequate defense, Smith dispelled those notions this season for the betterment of the New York Knicks.

Smith averaged a career-high 33.5 minutes per game and made the most of those minutes by setting new career highs in points per game (18.07) and rebounds per game (5.31).

Smith became a more efficient playmaker in the process as evidenced by a career-low turnover percentage (8.82), though his true shooting percentage (.522) was below his career average (.540).

One reason for Smith’s improved decision-making has been his commitment to defensive rebounding.

Smith’s career-high defensive rebounding percentage (16.3) allowed him to push the tempo and ignite his own fastbreaks leading to pull-up three-pointers in transition or layups.

Smith had eight double-doubles this season, which was more than his previous eight seasons combined.

However, after spending the entire season changing his reputation around the league and potentially earning millions in a contract season, Smith’s new image was in doubt.

After elbowing Jason Terry to earn a Game 4 suspension and proclaiming the Knicks would have swept the Celtics had he played, Smith struggled mightily from the field in his return in Game 5.

Smith shot 3-for-14 from the field in the Knicks' 92-86 loss to the Celtics at home.

After the game, Smith was asked if he was to blame for New York’s back-to-back loses.

“Yeah, without a doubt,” said Smith. “From the absence of Game 4, we were in a great rhythm playing pretty much going into the last 20 games of the season including the first three playoff games. Then to come out today and stink it up with two huge turnovers, miss a lot of shots, bad defense on my part. I can’t have another bad game like this.”

Smith and many of his teammates, including Raymond Felton, Jason Kidd and Carmelo Anthony dressed in black as a symbolic gesture that they believed the series would be over after a fifth game.

“Well, we were going to a funeral, but it looked like we got buried,” said Smith.

Now Smith believes the Knicks are heading to Boston with a different mindset.

“If anything I think they did a great job of swinging the pressure back on us, we’re going into their building,” said Smith.

Smith again accepted responsibility for his remarks in light of the back-to-back loses.

“We’ve got to go home, eat our humble pie, and come back and play Game 6,” said Smith.

Despite losing momentum, the Knicks maintain a 3-2 series advantage and have shown the ability to win at Boston previously in Game 3.

Smith said he was “anxious” to redeem himself and would not let the crowd or any trash talking cloud his focus.

“Honestly, I don’t really care,” said Smith. “I want to get a win. They could boo me every time I touch the ball, but I’ve got to stay focused on my team and we’ve got to come out with a win.”

Despite all that has occurred in the past two games, Smith remains confident he will return to his award-winning form and prove he is a changed player.

“Without a doubt,” said Smith. “I’m a streaky shooter,” said Smith. “I know if I hit one or two I get in my rhythm. That’s the way my teammates want me to play so that’s how I’m going to continue to play.”