The Knicks traded J.R. Smith to the Cavaliers in January. He returned to New York last week to criticize Phil Jackson and play the Knicks.
Early in the morning before the 7:30 p.m. game, he reportedly got into a confrontation.
Shayna Jacobs and Rocco Parascandola of the New York Daily News:Smith has been accused of choking a 19-year-old high school student in Chelsea after the younger man quipped about the hoopster’s trade to Cleveland.
Smith, 30, has not been arrested in connection to the alleged incident outside Artichoke Basille’s Pizza about 4 a.m. on Nov. 13 at W. 17th St. and Tenth Ave.The teen, Justin Brown, who wears braces and hails from Harlem, was with pals who chided Smith for ignoring their fan request for a photo.
Smith is seen on a cell phone video walking away from the group, sources said.
“That’s why New York kicked you out, yo!” Brown remarked.Brown told cops that after the verbal brush, Smith, who is 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds, checked him against the exterior of the building and put his hands around Brown’s neck, police sources said.
Alex Spiro, a lawyer for Smith, said the claims against the athlete are unfounded.
It seems there are witnesses who could corroborate either story. If that cell phone video continues, it could be particularly telling.
