J.R.’s new Twitter beef could lead coach to crack down

An angry Mike Woodson threatened to install a Twitter policy in the wake of J.R. Smith’s latest social-media feud with Brandon Jennings, who criticized Smith’s brother and Knicks teammate Chris. Woodson said he will “address’’ Smith about his latest flap and they spoke before Thursday’s game against the Rockets.

The reigning NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year defended his little brother and appeared to threaten Jennings on Twitter. Jennings, now with the Pistons, criticized Chris Smith for even being on an NBA roster. The NBA is reviewing the situation.

Wednesday night, Jennings wrote: “Wait wait wait JR smith brother is in the NBA but @PoohJeter & @BBROWNLAU isn’t. Call me hater but not Rollin!!!” One of the players, point guard Bobby Brown, was nearly signed by the Knicks this summer before going to China.

The tweet was later deleted. J.R. Smith fired back with on Twitter with a message of his own — also later deleted — in which he said he would send his “street homies” to Detroit. The Knicks face the Pistons Tuesday in Motown.

“No respect for these lil kids who pop at the mouth on twitter an then want to delete they tweets,’’ Smith wrote.

Smith said before the Rockets game he wasn’t threatening Jennings.

“Threatened? No,’’ Smith said. “There’s a way of threatening someone and that’s not the way to publicly threaten somebody. I know Brandon. We have a pretty good relationship before this. Hopefully we’ll continue it afterward.’’

Woodson wasn’t pleased. “I got wind of it and we’ll address it after the game,’’ the Knicks coach said. “If you’re going to tweet, tweet something positive. I don’t know the social-media game. I deal with you guys and keep it moving.”

Smith was fined by the NBA in his first season as a Knick in March 2012, for tweeting a photo of a naked woman in his hotel room in Milwaukee.

When asked if he could install a policy, Woodson said it was a good idea.

“It might come to that,” he said. “You just gave me a good idea. I like that.’’
Smith wouldn’t disclose what Woodson said to him and said he hasn’t spoken to the NBA.

“I don’t know what to expect,’’ Smith said. “I didn’t think it was a big deal, apparently it is. I’m always getting in trouble with Twitter. I don’t know what it is. I’m trying to shake it.’’

Smith said he is tired of his brother taking flak for making the Knicks roster.

“It happens every day. People criticize him, telling him what he deserves and doesn’t deserve,’’ Smith said. “I think he works hard for what he does.
“I was definitely frustrated, tired of people picking on my little brother. It is my little brother. I’m going to step up for him — good, bad or ugly.’’
Smith wouldn’t say whether Woodson has banned him from Twitter.

“We spoke,’’ Smith said. “I don’t know if he wants me to talk to you about it.’’

Chris Smith also got in on the action, responding to the slight on Twitter: “If they hate, then let them hate and watch the money pile up‼ everyone have a blessed day from yours true.. jr smiths brother lmao…”

Smith is making $491,000 this season, but is costing the Knicks $2.1 million because of the stringent luxury tax. He is earmarked for the D-League and speculation is he was kept as a lure for J.R. Smith to re-sign for less money with the Knicks.

Smith said he’d like to get Jennings’ number before they face off next week to talk it out. “It’s not that serious,’’ Smith said. “I go to L.A. in the summer and [we] hoop together.’’