Last Friday at All-Star Media Day Knicks center Tyson Chandler was glowing when asked about J.R. Smith, saying “that piece, that secret weapon, ultimately shapes wins and losses.” J.R. has been a catalyst for the Knicks all year long, and it’s been fun to watch. But when you’re a team relying on J.R. Smith, that means you’re a team relying on J.R. Smith. And it’s so much fun!
Knicks coaches apparently growing frustrated with J.R. Smith
After a hot start had the J.R. Smith and the Knicks looking like contenders in the East, the team’s cooled off and the coaches are getting frustrated. Shocking news, we know.
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Examples: On Thursday afternoon we saw J.R.‘s romantic side, then his sense of humor, and now there’s this morning’s New York Post article, where we find out that Knicks coaches might be getting tired of his “antics”. What kind of antics? From the Post:
Smith attempted to bait Indiana’s Lance Stephenson into a fight at the end of the first half, jawing at him as the seconds ticked down. Smith continued his harangue and Stephenson finally answered back with the two players drawing double technicals.
Smith then got ejected in the third quarter after committing an offensive foul against Stephenson. He made a remark to the official and made a gesture with his hand.
“Replays were inconclusive as to whether or not Smith had given the middle finger,” the report adds. Good to know. There was also a postgame run-in with Knicks assistant Herb Williams, who shook his head in disgust at J.R. for wearing headphones during interviews with the media. Because there’s just no better reality show than The J.R. Smith Experience.
But if we’re talking J.R., no story will ever top the one from a few years ago, when he filled Kenyon Martin’s Range Rover with popcorn as an April Fool’s prank, leading Martin to go on a locker room tirade and threatening to sit out until he found out who did it.
“When I find out who did it, I’m a put my mothaf***in hands on one of y’all!” Martin said.
And hey good news! Kenyon Martin joins the Knicks this week, reunited with Carmelo and J.R., all to fulfill the little known NBA rule that the New York Knicks have to keep getting better and better until the end of time. I love this game.
