J.R. Smith is making little secret of his growing disdain for New York Knicks coaches and front office personnel after the team announced this week it planned to waive his younger brother, Chris.
"You know what the sad thing about betrayal?" Smith wrote on Instagram."It never comes from your enemy."
In releasing Chris Smith, the Knicks announced they plan to bring back forward Jeremy Tyler, according to ProBasketballTalk.com. With Tyson Chandler just back from injury and veteran frontliners Amare Stoudemire, Kenyon Martin and Metta World Peace having already missed time this season with varying injuries, Tyler could potentially be much more valuable to the team as constructed than the younger Smith.
Beyond that, rumors have persisted for much of the season that the Knicks only signed Chris Smith as a favor to his brother and his CAA agents during the summer of his free agency. Earlier this year, J.R. Smith and Detroit Pistons guard Brandon Jennings engaged in a Twitter feud over what smith deemed to be Jennings disrespect of his brother's abilities.
Tyler averaged 13 points (on 57 percent shooting) and six rebounds playing for the Knicks Las Vegas Summer League team, but saw his chances of securing a permanent spot on the regular season roster take a significant hit when he fractured his foot during preseason workouts.
ProBasketball adds Chris Smith's $490, 180 salary for the season is guaranteed.
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