J.R. Smith had it in his mind that he would be the Knicks ‘ starting shooting guard this season. So Mike Woodson ‘s decision that Smith would remain a sixth man didn’t go over well.

“I think disappointed is an understatement,” Smith said after practice yesterday. “My whole process of getting better this summer and everything I went through was to be in that starting role. It was great to be able to have put all that work in and understand what I can do and my body can withhold without starting. I think it just makes our bench even stronger.”

Smith seemed to be the likeliest candidate to start, especially with Iman Shumpert and Ronnie Brewer rehabbing from knee surgeries. But Woodson sees the energetic Smith as more valuable coming off the bench.

“I don’t really have a choice,” Smith said. “Whatever he needs me to do that’s what I’m here to do. He wants me to come off the bench, I’ll come off the bench. He wants me to start, I’ll start.”

via Al Iannazzone of Newsday.com