Dennis Smith Jr. ready to lead Knicks

Knicks guard Dennis Smith Jr. reacts after a shot in the first half against the Pistons at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. Photo Credit: Jim McIsaacIt was just over two weeks ago when Dennis Smith Jr. missed his sixth straight game for the Dallas Mavericks, the team listing various ailments as the reason, but neither side hiding the reality that he had separated himself from the team for two weeks to try to force his way out of Dallas.

All of which makes it hard to imagine that Smith arrived in New York to make his debut Sunday afternoon in the starting lineup and by Tuesday night, with one practice under his belt, was being described this way by David Fizdale, his new coach.

“He took total…