ESPN is reporting that 2013 NBA Sixth Man of the Year J.R. Smith will start for the Knicks tonight against the Atlanta Hawks.
This will be Smith’s second time starting a game for the Knicks: He started one game two seasons ago against the Bucks.
Via TheKnicksWall
– Amar’e Stoudemire has been cleared to practice. He hopes to play in the season opener.
– Kenyon Martin is still rehabbing the ankle injury he suffered last season and his status for the opener remains uncertain, as the Knicks would like to handle him carefully so that he can contribute long-term.
– Iman Shumpert is not practicing today, but doctors examined his arm and found nothing major. It is believed that he will be fine with a few days of rest.
– Raymond Felton pulled his hamstring, and is not practicing today. However, he says that he would play if it were a regular season game.
– Metta World Peace is back in practice.
– JR Smith is making progress in his rehab from his knee injury, but will still miss at least the first five games due to his suspension for recreational drug use.
–Tommy Rothman
Warning: You may feel an urge to watch this over and over, and will probably not get any more work done once you click this. Via TheKnicksWall
Well, we all saw it coming, right?
In the least surprising breaking story of all time, JR Smith has been suspended for failing THREE drug tests for recreational substances such as Marijuana. Smith’s was already in danger of missing the first few weeks of the season with a knee injury. His suspension will begin the first game he is physically able to play, so if he is ready to come back 2 weeks after opening day, he will have to wait an extra 5 games after that.
The Knicks recently gave Smith a new contract, and he has wasted no time in showing why the Knicks were able to get such a bargain on the mercurial Smith. One person who is not happy? The fictional Mike Woodson twitter account
This is another frustrating off-court setback for J.R, who has had disciplinary issues through his career.
-Tommy Rothman
I would say his celebration is pretty fitting
New York Knicks Memes 