Woodson slammed Smith’s behaviour earlier this week following NBA fine.
New York Knicks guard J.R. Smith has revealed that he wasn’t told he would be benched for the win over the Miami Heat on Thursday and is unsure about what happens next.
The benching came a day after Smith was fined $50,000 by the NBA for “recurring instances of unsportsmanlike conduct” after his recent shoelace antics.
Knicks coach Mike Woodson slammed his behaviour and felt it was “unacceptable” as the punishments continue to roll in for the 28-year-old.
“Honestly, I don’t even know at this point. At one point I was for sure, and now it’s rocking the boat. But it is what it is. It’s the nature of the business,” he said, according to ESPN.
Woodson wouldn’t comment on why he decided to bench Smith, while the player revealed that he was never told by his coach that he wouldn’t be playing.
“I could see if I was told, but there was no conversation about it. But it is what it is. We got the [win].”
Smith also insists that he felt his fine was exorbitant, given that in the initial instance he untied Shawn Marion’s shoelaces, everyone found it hilarious.
However, despite being warned by the NBA about his conduct moving forward, he repeated the prank against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, which ultimately resulted in the fine.
Nevertheless, the Knicks star has since apologised on Twitter, while also emphasising that he has no problem not playing if the team continue to win without him.
However, it remains to be seen how long Woodson leaves him on the bench and whether or not the situation blows up, with recent speculation suggesting that the Knicks are looking to find a trade deal.
Smith won the Sixth Man of the Year award last season, but things began to unravel during the playoffs last year while he has been inconsistent in the first half of the current campaign.
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