This year’s 2013 NBA 6th Man of the Year JR Smith disappointed many Knicks fans this postseason when he went into hibernation in New York’s 2nd Round match-up with the Indiana Pacers.
After averaging a career high 18.1 ppg and 5.3 rebounds during the regular season, Smith seemed like a different player after being suspended for a game for elbowing Boston’s Jason Terry in the 1st Round of the playoffs.
Many pointed out the fact that Smith could possibly be “under the weather” after being spotted in various clubs around NYC with noted R & B party girl Rihanna after Game 2 vs the Pacers.
Smith appeared lethargic and couldn’t hut the broad side of a barn during the latter parts of the Indiana series, averaging a lower than expected 11 ppg on 29% shooting.
His lethargic play came at an inopportune time as the Knicks fell to the Pacers in 6 games, primarily because JR was rumored to be opting out of the final year of his contract after the season in the hopes of landing a more lucrative multi-year deal to remain a Knick for the foreseeable future.
But if his lackluster postseason wasn’t bad enough to hurt his stock this offseason, a recent report with damning context may further damage his reputation as he hits the free agent market.
An online gossip site recently ran a scathing piece on just why Smith played so horrifically this postseason, claiming to have an airtight, reliable source that says JR was much more than merely tired from continuous late night partying, but that Smith has developed a nasty addiction to cocaine.
According to The Online Juicy:
Although a report, in early May, showed Smith partying hard in a New York nightclub with singer/girlfriend Rihanna during the playoffs, two sources are coming forward claiming that Smith is also using coke, claiming that Smith is hooked to the stuff. “My source is the connect for his coke dealer uptown and JR is cooping $1,200 worth of blow every two, three days when in town. Personal use… Dude was sick from it,” the source claims.
I’m surprised that this hasn’t become a bigger story as an undercover piece from ESPN’s Sports Reporters, but the timing couldn’t be worse as Smith has reportedly already opted out of the final year with New York valued at $2.9 million. The Knicks do have Smith’s Early Bird Rights, meaning they can offer the 6th Man of the Year 175% more than last year’s salary putting him approximately in the $5 million per year range over 4 seasons.
JR Smith 6th Man of The Year Highlight Mix:
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen has also provided content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, Cleveland.com, CSN Philly.com, Buckets Magazine, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
