Dennis Smith Jr. will not hear Garden boos on Wednesday night.
Earlier last season, the Knicks point guard – and key piece in Kristaps Porzingis’ craft – heard taunt as he struggled with his shots, passes and defense.
Regardless of what happens in Wednesday’s home opener against Cleveland, Garden will be quiet and fanless.
That might be a good thing as Smith continues with this great opportunity to sweep away the stench of last season
Smith took a step back on Sunday in Detroit with a misplaced outing in running offense, but feels he has the right coaches this time around to get him out.
Knicks manager Tom Thibodeau has earned a reputation as a point guard whisperer and his new assistant Johnnie Bryant, formerly of the Jazz, is the team guards coach with a solid reputation for turning Utah combo guard Donovan Mitchell into an All-Star.
Mitchell was selected four places after Smith, who was taken ninth by Dallas in the 2017 NBA Draft.
“He just got a wealth of knowledge, on both sides,” Smith said of Bryant. “He understands the game so well and studies it so much. It’s little things he’s going to show me and I’m like, I can’t help but smile because I’ve never thought about it that way. I’m like a sponge, I listen to everything he says and try to put it into play and be effective with what I’m learning. I’m grateful, friend, he’s always willing to play the game, so I listen as much as possible. “