Mike Woodson speaks about J.R. Smith, says he needs to “grow up”

J.R. Smith has already spoken about his 5 game suspension for breaking the NBA’s substance abuse policy, and now his coach has broken his silence. It seems as if Mike Woodson is echoing the thoughts of a lot of people, per the Associated Press:

"“I’m not going to throw him out to the pasture,” Woodson said. “My job is to coach him and make sure something like what happened doesn’t happen again. That’s what we do as coaches, and I expect his teammates to show him love. But at the end of the day he’s got to do the right thing by J.R. and his teammates, and me as a coach and this organization and the fans that support him. I mean, that’s what it’s all about.“He’s got to grow up and do the right things.”"

J.R. Smith is very immature, and his play on the court reflects it. He constantly takes ill-advised shots, and can give coaches headaches. There is no doubt that Smith can score, but his antics have cost his team a lot of issues. Smith was suspended one game for elbowing Jason Terry in last year’s playoffs, and he was never the same as far as production. He did win the 6th Man of the Year award, and if he can quit the knuckle-headed moves, he can change a lot of opinions. Woodson is right, it’s time for J.R. Smith to grow up.