The Knicks are garbage and not just, like, litter garbage. No, the Knicks are the maggot-infested coffee grinds over the dead cat in a hoarder’s sink. But there is a ray of light trying desperately to shine through the trash. A little tchotchke, a priceless family heirloom, barely discernible in the world’s most famous landfill; a diamond in the rough, to quote Disney’s Aladdin.

Behold Jason Smith, dancing machine. Jason Smith averages 7.9 points per game in just about 22 minutes of action and by far, by far, his most valuable contribution to the team is his ability to somehow muster a smile and maintain a healthy amount of pep in his step while playing for the Knicks.

This makes me feel genuinely happy for Jason Smith and his teammates, even that army dude who is doing a good job of not looking totally mortified. Sure they’re all swimming in a sea of trash, but they’re still swimming.

[CBS Eye on Basketball]