If J.R. Smith had tried his foul line shoelace stunt on Shane Battier, then the Miami Heat veteran would know it was time to not even bother lacing ’em up again.
“My reaction would be, ‘You know what? It’s time for me to retire from the NBA,’” Battier said following the Heat’s morning workout at the Garden on Thursday prior to their game against the Knicks.
“It’s about time for me to step away from the league,” Battier said. “I’m close to that point, but if that happens. I’ll know it’s time for me to go.”
Smith’s antics drew a $50,000 fine from the NBA for unsportsmanlike conduct Wednesday after he had previously been warned by the league. Smith untied Dallas’ Shawn Marion’s shoelace Sunday and was warned. On Tuesday, against Detroit, he reached for the foot of Piston Greg Monroe.
And the fallout began. There was the league fine. There were blistering comments from his coach Mike Woodson, who stressed “it’s just got to stop” and Smith needs to “grow up.” There were reports the Knicks had reached the breaking point and were gauging trade interest.
And now even a veteran pro, Battier, said it would be enough to send him home permanently. So has Smith ever tried it on Battier?
“As far as I know, I can’t say he has,” said Battier, who was scratched from Thursday’s game with a strained left quadriceps. “But it’s early.”
Chris Bosh said Smith never has tried to get him with the prank, either. And if he ever did, Bosh gave his solution with a simple shrug.
“Tie ’em back,” Bosh said. “The league steps in and they’re going to do certain things after certain things are done. Decisions were made and there were consequences.
“Whatcha gonna do?”