J.R. Smith on Knicks: Everybody was walking on eggshells

Former Knicks player J.R. Smith is ready to prosper in Cleveland. 

The newly-minted Cavalier is no longer weighed down by the wary vibe of the Madison Square Garden. 

"Everybody in the building was pretty much walking on eggshells, so it was kind of hard to prosper in that way, especially when you are not accustomed to it," Smith told Kevin Kernan of The New York Post on Wednesday. 

"But eventually I’m sure they’ll get it right."

Wednesday was not that day for the Knicks, however, as the team suffered its franchise-record 13th consecutive loss to the Wizards. 

"We’ve been very frank how we’re learning together," said Knicks coach Derek Fisher, when asked about Smith's comment. "Whether that’s eggshells or whether that’s trying to learn how to win, it depends on the person you’re talking to.’’

Smith has to do some figuring out of his own. Namely, Cleveland's playbook, which he admitted Wednesday he didn't know. The swingman played in the Cavaliers' 105-93 loss to the Rockets on Wednesday night and missed all five of his shots.