NBA to Suspend J.R. Smith for Five Games
May 18, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Knicks guard J.R. Smith (8) reacts to losing to the Indiana Pacers in game six of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats New York 106-99. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
New York Knicks guard J.R. Smith, NBA’s sixth man of the year and the guy that was 100 percent sure that the Knicks would win the title, has been suspended by the NBA for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.
Y! Sources: New York's J.R. Smith suspended 5 games for violating NBA's substance abuse policy. http://t.co/4nfiQHsIml
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 6, 2013
This only means one thing: the Knicks guard must have tested positive for drug use because the NBA’s drug policy calls for a suspension after the player’s third positive test.
This is not Smith’s first rodeo; he was suspended several times throughout his career—17 games while with the Denver Nuggets. This suspension can’t be sitting well with the Knicks organization, who just signed the enigmatic guard to a three-year deal worth $17 million, and knowing his checkered past, of course wants him to stay out of trouble.
Smith had a career season last year, averaging 18.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.