HoopsHype.com Rumors

J.R. Smith (illness) and Kenyon Martin (illness) each missed Knicks practice again on Monday, and this time they were joined by Iman Shumpert, who sat out because of a sore left knee. Newark Star-Ledger

New York Knicks, Kenyon Martin, Injuries, JR Smith, Iman Shumpert 

Al Iannazzone: Woodson said JR and Kenyon are game-time decisions. Twitter @Al_Iannazzone

New York Knicks, Kenyon Martin, Injuries, JR Smith 

Chandler said the Knicks are being too selfish and individuals are trying to win games alone, and this team doesn't have players who can do that. Chandler didn't mention anyone by name, but Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith are the Knicks' volume shooters. "I watched the tape myself and there's open looks," Chandler said after practice Sunday. "We have to be willing passers. You have to sacrifice yourself sometimes for the betterment of the team, for the betterment of your teammates. So when you drive in the paint, you draw, you kick it. We need to do a better job of allowing the game to dictate who takes the shots and not the individuals. "I'm not saying that anybody is doing it maliciously. I think it's moreso a situation, you want to take over the game or you want to make a big shot, where you have to just stick to the game plan. Good teams win basketball games. Unless you're a great, great, great individual, and we've only had a few of those come through." Newsday

New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler, JR Smith 

Scott Agness: J.R Smith and Kenyon Martin both missed today’s practice and stayed behind at the hotel to prevent the illness from spreading. Twitter @ScottAgness

New York Knicks, Kenyon Martin, Injuries, JR Smith 

Smith said earlier this season he changed his lifestyle and wasn’t going out as much. “I think with J.R., and especially this situation that’s being said about him, it can easily build up and become very stressful and strenuous on one person,’’ said Anthony, who played with Smith in Denver. “For me, who’s been there with him since he came into the NBA, especially now I try to just give him positive energy.” New York Post

New York Knicks, JR Smith 

Marc Berman: One person who spoke to J.R. said: “He had a little chill last night. And it got worse. We'll see if he can play.'' Twitter @NYPost_Berman

New York Knicks, Injuries, JR Smith 

Does (JR Smith) seem like he’s focused? Pablo Prigioni: Yes, yes, definitely, definitely. I think when he have this incident with (Jason) Terry in the first round, maybe that make him lose the focus for a couple of games, but I think he’s ready to go back on his level. New York Post

New York Knicks, JR Smith, Pablo Prigioni 

Fred Kerber: #Pacers Paul George told of #Knicks JR Smith allegedly clubbing with Rihanna asked who he's partied with: "I don’t really go out like that" Twitter @FredKerber

Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Paul George, JR Smith 

Scott Agness: J.R Smith has been fined $5,000 for his flop coming off a screen set by David West. Video: on.nba.com/13KxLqf Twitter @ScottAgness

Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, JR Smith, David West 

Howard Beck: JR Smith left without speaking to reporters today. Hasn't talked since Tuesday postgame. Probably not eager to talk slump, alleged clubbing Twitter @HowardBeckNYT

New York Knicks, JR Smith 

Whatever you call it, Smith has hit just 15 of 57 shots since he returned from a one-game suspension for elbowing Boston’s Jason Terry in the chin in the closing minutes of Game 3 of the first-round series. And that’s enough to have coach Mike Woodson wondering if Smith might lose minutes. "Well, I don’t think he’ll be in the so-called slump for that much longer," Anthony said. "He’s working. The only way you’ll get out of a so-called slump is putting in work in the gym, and he’s been doing that. So we just need him to be J.R., back out there playing basketball, having fun doing that, having fun on the court." Bergen Record

New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony, JR Smith 

Smith has been scrutinized for fun off the court of late — being spotted with Rihanna in nightclubs twice this week. When he was outed the first time the night before the Knicks’ afternoon game Sunday, he was criticized by some. "I don’t want to speak on that," Anthony said. "To me, he’s focused now. He’s here with us; when he’s here, he’s here. Whatever he’s been doing in his spare time he does in his spare time. My thing to J.R., I want him to remain positive regardless of what’s going on off the court, what’s being said about him. If you don’t have a positive attitude throughout these situations, it’s going to make everything tough." Bergen Record

New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony, JR Smith 

I asked Dr. Melo yesterday exactly what he has been telling Smith, and he said: “Just play ball, just relax and play ball. Don’t try to put so much pressure on yourself to go out there and try to make something in one play, it’s not gonna happen, it won’t work. “Just let it happen. Let the game come to you. Try to find other things, other ways to be effective in the game. Keep shooting the ball. We need him to shoot the ball, we need him to make shots. That’s the most important thing, try to just stay mentally strong. “He says he’s in a slump. I don’t really believe in a slump. If you tell yourself you’re in a slump then you will be in a slump. Always try to think positive. With him, just trying to keep him upbeat, keep him positive ... ’cause he’s a big part of our team’s success.” New York Post

New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony, JR Smith 

I can't blame J.R. Smith if he's distracted by Rhianna, but Carmelo Anthony is convinced that when the Knicks take the floor Smith's mind will be right. "I don’t want to speak on that," Anthony said of the talk about Smith's nightlife. "To me, he’s focused now. He’s here with us, when he’s here he’s here. Whatever he’s been doing in his spare time he does in his spare time. "My thing to J.R., I want him to remain positive regardless of what’s going on off the court, what’s being said about him. If you don’t have a positive attitude throughout these situations it’s going to make everything tough." Sulia

New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony, JR Smith, Rihanna 

Mike Woodson’s patience is running thin with J.R. Smith. For the first time, the Knicks coach said he will have a quicker hook with Smith going forward if his shooting woes continue. Smith’s jump shot is in the sewer ever since returning from a one-game suspension for elbowing the Celtics' Jason Terry in Game 3 of the first-round series. New York Post

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, JR Smith 

“I’m not going to kick him to the curb,’’ Woodson said on his ESPN Radio Show on Wednesday. “He’s a big part of what we’ve done this season. ‘’ However, Woodson added, “I’ll gauge J.R. as we go along. If I feel he’s not giving me anything, I can always turn to other guys on that bench. I feel good about the guys that come in off the bench. If he’s struggling and I feel the need, I got to pull him. I will do that as head coach. ‘’ New York Post

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, JR Smith 

J.R. Smith blew off the media yesterday after practice, but has told fans directly his disastrous 4-of-15 outing in Sunday’s Game 1 is unrelated to a perception he partied at the 40/40 Club on 25th Street and Broadway Saturday night. Game 1’s start time was 3:30 p.m., with the players expected to show up at the arena before 2 p.m. Past midnight Saturday, the official Twitter account of the 40/40 club announced Smith was in the saloon watching the Floyd Mayweather fight, which ended close to 1 a.m. A 40/40 Club publicist confirmed the tweet was genuine. The tweet didn’t mention whether he was drinking or how late he stayed at the sports bar/nightclub. New York Post

New York Knicks, JR Smith, Floyd Mayweather 

In response, Smith tweeted to those who were worried that his poor game was related to his 40/40 Club appearance: “First an formost I wasn’t clubbing before the game so y’all can kill that. Don’t try an find reasons when I miss shots! #Ho.’’ New York Post

New York Knicks, JR Smith 

JR Smith: First an for most I wasn't clubbing before the game so y'all can kill that. Don't try an find reasons when I miss shots! #HopOff Twitter

New York Knicks, JR Smith 

"This game has shown the immaturity of the Knicks team . the inexperience, maybe, in this situation. The playoffs are always a process and you have to learn as you go. They have learned something here," TNT analyst Steve Kerr said, according to a transcript of the broadcast. "You have to approach things in the playoffs in a very professional manner. You had the elbow from J.R. Smith that led to the suspension; a lot of trash talking the last couple of days; the shenanigans with wearing black. This is about executing and playing as a team and playing hard, and this is part of the process." Minneapolis Star-Tribune

New York Knicks, JR Smith