In the latest war on Twitter involving professional athletes, New York Knicks guard J.R. Smith sent out a threatening tweet via the social media site in response to a tweet that Detroit Pistons guard Brandon Jennings wrote regarding Smith's brother, Chris Smith being in the NBA.
Jennings sent out the following tweet about Chris Smith that was eventually deleted:
"Wait wait wait JR smith brother is in the NBA but @PoohJeter & @BBROWNLAU isn't. Call me hater but not Rollin!!!" the tweet read.
J.R. Smith responded with a tweet following the Knicks 95-91 victory over the Atlanta Hawks Wednesday night in which he implied a threat to send his "street homies" in Detroit to go after Jennings while adding he had "no respect" for the Pistons guard:
No respect for these lil kids who pop at the mouth on twitter an then want to delete they tweets! #GrowUp! #ManUp! @TheOnlyCSmith0 #Facts!
— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) November 14, 2013
Jennings then tweeted that he was "classy" and won't engage in a Twitter war, leading to a response from J.R.:
No war! But ain't no #peace RT @TheOnlyCSmith0: I'm a classy no twitter war for me — JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) November 14, 2013
Chris Smith's inclusion on the Knicks roster has been met with some criticisms from fans and players, most notably stemming from head coach Mike Woodson saying that Chris' ties to his brother J.R. were instrumental in the team's decision to bring him aboard. Chris, 26, also has acknowledged that his relationship with his brother has helped his career, ESPN reports.
According to ESPN, Chris has a connection to the Creative Artists Agency which represents the Smith brothers and also has close ties to the Knicks and Madison Square Garden, adding another layer to the controversy surrounding him being on the team. ESPN reports that Carmelo Anthony, Andrea Bargnani, Woodson, assistant general manager Allan Houston and front-office member Mark Warkentien are also represented by CAA.
Chris Smith signed a non-guaranteed contract of $490,180 that became fully guaranteed once he made the roster in a move that some agents believe was locked in as a "package deal" when J.R. Smith re-signed with the team in July, according to ESPN. Some believe that J.R. re-signed with the team on the condition that his brother Chris was given a roster spot.
Chris Smith has been inactive for the Knicks first seven games and is expected to play the majority of the season in the D-League with the Knicks' affiliate the Eerie BayHawks.
The Knicks are 3-4 through the first seven games this season. The Knicks and the Pistons meet this Tuesday, Nov. 19 in Detroit.
© 2023 Sportsworldnews.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.