by Marcel Mutoni / @ marcel_mutoni
The Mike Woodson-JR Smith war escalated on Tuesday night in Charlotte — the New York Knicks’ head coach had Smith glued to the bench for the second time in four games.
Woodson refused to comment on the decision following a 108-98 loss to the Bobcats, and a clearly frustrated JR can’t believe ShoelaceGate got him in so much trouble.
Per Newsday:
He said he’s focused on “trying to fix what’s going on here.” But then Smith questioned again whether his future is with the Knicks after being asked what needed to be fixed.
“Honestly, I don’t know,” Smith said. “Take it every day, day by day and figure out what I can do to help the team. If I’m not helping the team, there’s no point in me being here.”
The Knicks flew to Indiana, where they will play the Pacers Thursday. Smith presumably went with them. But when he was asked if he would talk to Woodson or the coaching staff about what’s happening, he said no. “The communication from my end is over,” he said. “I’m going to show by my effort.”
Fans in Charlotte loudly chanted JR Smith’s name in the second half to no avail, and after the Knicks’ five-game winning streak came to an end, the embattled guard raised a few eyebrows by packing a suitcase in front of his locker.
For what it’s worth, Carmelo Anthony said he hopes this will be the last time JR is benched.
Smith is eligible for a trade as of today, but it’s hard to imagine any team being willing to take him on at this point.
