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Cleveland guard JR Smith has been accused of choking a high-school student outside a New York City pizza shop, in the early hours of Friday November 13.
Citing police sources, the New York Daily News reported Smith, who was in town to play his former team that night, allegedly “checked” teenager Justin Brown “against the exterior of the building and put his hands around Brown’s neck”.
The incident happened outside Artichoke Basille’s Pizza, located just a short walk from popular nightclub 1 Oak, where NBA players have faced troubled before.
Earlier this year, Milwaukee Bucks forward Chris Copeland was stabbed in a late-night incident outside the NYC nightclub. Atlanta Hawks guard Thabo Sefolosha and former Hawks centre Pero Antic were charged with obstructing governmental administration for allegedly preventing police from setting up a crime scene following the attack on Copeland.
Ironically, Smith gave his fellow NBA colleagues some advice on how to enjoy the nightlife as an NBA star, following the Copeland incident.
“I try to handle myself with care when I’m out and about,” said Smith, following a shootaround in April this year.
“It’s one of those situations when you’re out at four in the morning – I’m not saying it’s [Copeland’s] fault by any means – but when you’re out at four in the morning, there’s no way you should be walking anywhere. Get in your car and go home or go wherever you’re going. That’s one of my cardinal rules.”
Smith’s attorney, Alex Sprio has labelled the allegations “absolutely false”.
“We don’t believe he’s going to be charged,” Spiro told ESPN.com.
Playing in his 13th season, the NBA veteran has never been far away from the spotlight.
In 2006, after being on the receiving end of a hard foul from former New York Knick Mardy Collins, Smith’s reaction started an on-court brawl, resulting in a 10-game suspension for the former Denver Nuggets guard.
Not two months later, Smith and Carmelo Anthony were involved in a minor car accident, resulting in both players missing the Nuggets’ next shootaround. The Associated Press reported Smith was driving the car, which belonged to Anthony.
Four months later, Smith’s antics ended in tragedy.
Smith ran a stop sign while driving an SUV, colliding with another vehicle, causing Smith’s car to flip. The NBA guard escaped serious injuries, but Smith’s friend Andre Bell died due to head injuries sustained in the crash.
Smith served 24 days in prison, agreeing to perform 500 hours of community service, and was suspended by Denver for seven games.
But that wasn’t the end of his misbehaviour.
In the same year, Smith was allegedly involved in a fight outside a Denver nightclub, resulting in the team suspending Smith for three games.
Upon exiting prison, Smith shut down his Twitter account, after followers noticed traits affiliated with the Bloods gang, who are based in Los Angeles, California.
This was not Smith’s last Twitter meltdown. During his time with the Knicks, Smith was fined $25,000 after tweeting a semi-nude image of model Tahiry Jose.
“A few people talked to me about it,” Smith said of the incident. “It’s not the smartest move. I understand that now. I just have to be smarter in my decisions.”
In May 2012, Smith was caught riding a scooter without a license by Miami police. Smith failed to appear in court, and a bench warrant was issued, with Smith later released on bond.
Smith’s most recent off-court discretion, prior to the choking allegations, came after he was awarded the NBA sixth Man of the Year Award for the 2012-13 season.
Smith was handed a new three-year deal worth $18 million by the Knicks, but before the next season even began, Smith was suspended for five games due to substance abuse.
It seems JR Smith will never learn.
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