San Antonio – Nuggets guard J.R. Smith said Wednesday morning that while he was disappointed about being benched he would not be a distraction to the team.
Smith was told by Nuggets coach George Karl and vice president of player personnel Rex Chapman before Wednesday morning’s shootaround here that he will be benched for the remainder of the first-round playoff series against San Antonio because of poor play. Karl had informed the media Tuesday that Smith would be benched but had not informed Smith.
Karl said Smith would be in uniform tonight against the Spurs in Game 5, but would only play in an emergency situation. Karl added that Smith might play again this season if the Nuggets, down 3-1 in the best-of-seven series against San Antonio, advance to the second round.
“I just got to be there for my teammates,” Smith said. “It would be selfish if I just sat there and talked about myself being down 3-1. I’m here for my teammates. Whatever they need from me, that’s what I’ll do. If they need me on the bench clapping and cheering, that’s what I’ll do. If they need me out there on the court, I’ll be there.”
Karl’s decision not to play Smith was precipitated by on-court transgressions, such as an ill-advised shot near the end of the Game 4 loss. The Nuggets trailed by four points and Smith attempted a questionable 3-pointer with 25 seconds left. The play was set up for a teammate. Karl was also upset about another deep 3-pointer attempted by Smith late in the game.
Smith said there was nothing he could do about Karl’s decision but he didn’t agree with it.
“I’ve never played one game where a coach told me that you’re going to get benched because you won’t go another way,” Smith said. “I’m not really understanding the logic. It happens to people. I just have to keep supporting my teammates as much as I can.”
Smith was concerned about how the benching could affect him mentally not only now but during the off-season. Karl said he got used to being benched during his pro basketball career.
“I was always the guy eliminated somewhere in the playoffs,” Karl said. “Sometimes in the first round – I got maybe to the second round once or twice in my life – but I was eliminated. And the situations, circumstances of the series is I’ve eliminated J.R. probably from the rotation.”
Smith is up for a contract extension this off-season and said that he still wants to re-sign with the Nuggets. Smith also didn’t see eye to eye with coach Byron Scott when he was playing for New Orleans-Oklahoma City and was benched there.
“I’m not going to let one person affect my lifestyle and the way I talk to my teammates,” Smith said. “I love my teammates. That wouldn’t be fair to them and the organization.”
Karl has had a history of being at odds with players during his successful coaching career, including Carmelo Anthony and Kenyon Martin of the Nuggets. He benched Martin during last year’s playoffs.
Martin declined comment Wednesday. Anthony, who is close to Smith, didn’t think the timing was right for Smith to be benched.
“I don’t want to sound bias or anything,” Anthony said. “But the only thing I’d say about the situation is not right now. We still have a chance to do some things. We don’t need all that. If you have a problem with J.R., you pull him to the side and talk to him. He should know that from past experiences. We all win together, we all lose together.
“Everybody keeps talking about the shot J.R. took with 25 seconds left (in Game 4). I don’t think it was a determining factor in the game anyway.”
Staff writer Marc J. Spears can be reached at 303-954-1098 or mspears@denverpost.com.
