JR Smith and Mike Woodson are frustrated with one another. Smith's shoelace suspension has the New York Knicks head coach questioning the guard's professional, while unexplained benchings have the veteran pretty angry. After sitting on the bench once again during a loss to the Charlotte Bobcats, Smith and Woodson reportedly had a run-in and aired their grievances towards one another.
ESPNNewYork.com reports that Smith and Woodson argued with one another after the guard complained about the recent benchings as the head coach said the reasoning was due to complaints over lack of playing time. Sources report Smith spoke out during the game and had two heated discussions with Woodson afterwards. Woodson has not publically addressed the reason for benching Smith, but he did not take kindly to the complaints during the game.
"I think it is a privilege to wear a uniform in this league," Woodson said, via ESPN New York 98.7 FM. "There's only 30 teams. There's [only] so many players on each team. I think every player has a responsibility and has to be held accountable for what they do on a ballclub."
The argument between Woodson and Smith comes after the $50,000 fine issued by the NBA for the shoe lace incident. The New York Daily News reports the friction between the two has gotten almost un-repairable. The head coach called the guard unprofessional on the radio and challenged Smith to step up.
"The bottom line is he's got to be more of a pro and do the right things and just concentrate on playing basketball," Woodson said. "That's the name of the game, nothing else. You got to concentrate on your craft and what you're being paid to do -- that's play basketball. ... That's all I want him to do. Bottom line is I expect J.R. to be a pro on and off the court and concentrate on playing basketball and that's all I want him to do."
Smith is officially available for a trade. He signed a three-year, $18 million contract in the offseason, but the Knicks are prepared to offer him up to any team willing to take him. The team attempted to work out a player swap with the Denver Nuggets for point guard Andre Miller, but ESPN.com reporters the Western Conference team wants nothing to do with Smith.
