INDIANAPOLIS — J.R. Smith was bellyaching on the bench to his Knicks teammates about not playing during Monday’s overtime session against the Suns, according to an eyewitness.
The source said Smith appeared “disconnected” during overtime and reportedly also was late for a team meeting in the hotel before the Knicks faced Charlotte on Tuesday.
He was benched for that night’s game versus the Bobcats.
Coach Mike Woodson has refused to comment specifically on Smith’s recent benchings, but the surly shooting guard being vocal about playing just 45 seconds of the 5-minute overtime as the Knicks pulled out the 98-96 Garden victory over the Suns was another example of him putting himself ahead of the team.
Woodson criticized Smith on Wednesday on his radio spot for not always thinking about the team first, but said he won’t give up on Smith, and balked when asked whether Smith might be traded.
Smith became eligible to be dealt Wednesday, under a provision of the collective bargaining agreement, but Woodson made a trade sound unlikely for now.
“J.R. is wearing a Knick uniform,’’ Woodson said on his weekly ESPN Radio spot. “He’s here. We’re all in J.R.’s corner. That’s never going to change. I’ve been one of his biggest supporters. That will never change. But again, it’s all about team. It’s not about Mike Woodson. It’s not about J.R. It’s doing the right things on and off the floor.
“I’m not kicking J.R. to the curb. J.R. is a big part of what we’ve done here, and he’ll remain a big part. But he has to make sure he’s on the same page as the head coach.’’
Indeed, Smith is now on a zero-tolerance policy, and based on his track record, it’s hard to imagine his long-term compliance.
“Nobody is bigger than the team,’’ Woodson added. “It’s never been about individuals. The success we’ve had is based on team. That’s been my approach from Day One. I got to police players and doing what’s asked of them. J.R.’s no different. When he’s not doing what he’s supposed to do, I got to let him know about.’’
Woodson’s comments made it clear he was upset at Smith beyond his sneaker-lace capers. Smith was fined $50,000 by the league for untying Shawn Marion’s shoe in a game against Dallas and allegedly attempting to pull the same stunt on Detroit’s Greg Monroe in consecutive games last week.
Smith had taken the final shot of regulation against Phoenix on Monday, hoisting an air ball. Woodson declined comment after Tuesday’s game on why Smith didn’t play and did so again Wednesday. Smith said he didn’t know why he didn’t play, and called it “ridiculous” if the sneaker-lace incidents were “the trigger” for him being on the outs.
Woodson was asked on the radio whether he had spoken with Smith on Wednesday in the aftermath of the player’s second game-long benching in four contests.
“After a while, enough talk is enough talk, and the player has to be held accountable,” Woodson said. “We’re at that point.”
It didn’t sound as if the benching would last long, however, saying the club still is dependent on his scoring.
“Every player has responsibility and to be held accountable what they do on a ballclub,’’ Woodson said. “I’ll leave it that. We want the best for J.R. He’s got to be more of a pro in terms of his approach to the game. Him doing that will help us from a basketball standpoint. We need J.R. to play, but again he’s got to grow up and be more of a pro about his approach.’’
Smith admitted Tuesday after the Charlotte benching he wouldn’t mind a trade if the Knicks have no plans for him.
“If I can’t help the team, no point in me being here,” he said.
The Knicks realize Smith has very little, if any, trade value after signing a three-year, $18 million pact during the more stringent luxury-tax era but still are hopeful of getting inquiries.
Smith appeared detached on the bench Tuesday, sitting in the last seat and not joining the huddles to listen to Woodson during timeouts in the first half — something the coach surely noticed again. He often looked up at the scoreboard, watching the in-game entertainment.