Since coming over in the blockbuster trade with the Mavericks, Dennis Smith Jr. has been the Knicks' entire offense. And that's not an exaggeration.
After dropping 25 points the game before, Smith drained a career-high 31 against the Pistons on Friday night. He also had eight assists, as the young point guard hasn't been shy with his aggressive style of play.
But Smith still wasn't happy despite setting a new personal best in points. He shot 11-for-19 from the charity stripe, which included five misses in the fourth quarter that allowed the Pistons lead to rack up.
Smith was visibly frustrated with himself during the game, and that carried over into his postgame interview.
"It's on me," Smith told The Post's Marc Berman. "I got to make free throws to keep us in the game. If I made them in the fourth quarter, it would've kept us in the game. I'm enjoying playing basketball. I'm not enjoying losing."
However, head coach David Fizdale knows the young guard will hit those next time out.
"He's going to make his free throws -- I'm not worried about that -- but he knows how to get to the line and run a team," Fizdale noted. "We just got started with him."
Smith seems to be just getting started, as his points total over three games has been better than the last every time out so far. Facing a tough opponent in the Raptors at The Garden tonight, Smith will try to continue that trend.
One thing is for certain, though: Smith has quickly solidified himself as the Knicks' most lethal offensive weapon whenever he's on the court.