Categories: Courtside

Knicks head coach Mike Woodson says it’s time for JR Smith to grow up

Knicks star JR Smith had an eventful summer. He signed a new four-year deal with the Knicks, had knee surgery, dyed his hair three colors and got suspended for violating the leagues substance abuse policy. Now that NBA training camps have opened, head coach Mike Woodson has made it clear that it’s time for JR to grow up.

I’m not going to throw him out to the pasture,” Woodson said. “My job is to coach him and make sure something like what happened doesn’t happen again. That’s what we do as coaches, and I expect his teammates to show him love. But at the end of the day he’s got to do the right thing by J.R. and his teammates, and me as a coach and this organization and the fans that support him. I mean, that’s what it’s all about.

“He’s got to grow up and do the right things.”

Woodson also said JR realizes he’s let the team down

“You talk about missing the first five games, I’m not happy about it,” Woodson said. “But hey, we know what we’re facing and we’ve got to get through it, and we’ve got to make sure that he understands it’s something that can’t happen again.”

Wednesday, JR addressed where he plans to concentrate his focus this season.

“I think every day I step into the gym I have something to prove, not to anybody else but to myself,” he said. “I feel I can always get better. I have so much room for improvement, and I just want to be the best player I can be. Right now I’m not at the elite level yet.”

Good luck with that Earl.

Jill Munroe

Jill Munroe is a Los Angeles-based host, producer, and writer. You can find her work on sites such as FoxSports.com, EURweb.com, and MSN.com. Munroe is a current member of the African-American Film Critics Association and the National Association of Black Journalists. Munroe has also been a frequent guest on ESPN radio and Yahoo Sports. In 2015, Munroe released her first book, "PostGame Pass: access into "the life" JillMunroe.com

Share
Published by
Jill Munroe

Recent Posts

Jay-Z Added to Diddy’s Assault Lawsuit; Tyrod Taylor vs. Draya Michele

On the latest episode of RSVP with Jill Munroe, we get into the latest swirl…

2 weeks ago

Drake Goes Full Karen + Kendrick Lamar’s GNX Rules Billboard

The past week has been a whirlwind of drama and dominance in the culture, and…

3 weeks ago

Why the NBA is Flopping in the Ratings Race: Blame the NFL, Beyoncé, and a Tricky Playbook

The NBA's Ratings Woes: Why 2024 is Looking Like a Dunk Gone Wrong The 2024…

4 weeks ago

 Turkey, Touchdowns, and the Tea: Your Ultimate Guide to the 2024 Thanksgiving NFL Games

Thanksgiving is all about family, food, and football—and let’s be honest, the drama that comes…

4 weeks ago

‘Reasonable Doubt’ Season 2 Hulu Tackles Friendship, Power & Secrets | Exclusive with Raamla Mohamed & Emayatzy Corinealdi

Hulu's *Reasonable Doubt* highly anticipated second season delivers a complex mix of courtroom drama, personal…

2 months ago

Frasier Reboot Season 2: How Olivia, Eve, and Roz Redefine Strong Female Characters | Watch on Peacock

The *Frasier* reboot on Peacock returns for its second season, bringing back the beloved character…

2 months ago

This website uses cookies.