Fansided

New York Knicks send J.R. Smith’s brother, Chris, to the D-League

By Andrew Melnick

Oct 9, 2013; Providence, RI, USA; New York Knicks point guard Chris Smith (0) dibbles the ball against Boston Celtics point guard Phil Pressey (26) during the second half at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2013; Providence, RI, USA; New York Knicks point guard Chris Smith (0) dibbles the ball against Boston Celtics point guard Phil Pressey (26) during the second half at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 9, 2013; Providence, RI, USA; New York Knicks point guard Chris Smith (0) dibbles the ball against Boston Celtics point guard Phil Pressey (26) during the second half at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2013; Providence, RI, USA; New York Knicks point guard Chris Smith (0) dibbles the ball against Boston Celtics point guard Phil Pressey (26) during the second half at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

When the New York Knicks decided to keep point guard Chris Smith on the 15-man roster after training camp ended, it was heavily criticized.

Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski, perhaps the NBA’s most famous reporter and Detroit Pistons’ point guard Brandon Jennings, among others, questioned whether or not Smith truly belonged in the NBA.

Both believed he may have earned his spot with the Knicks re-signed his older brother, J.R. Smith, during the offseason.

Maybe they were right.

Smith hasn’t played in a game this season and he has now been sent to their D-League affiliate, the Erie BayHawks.

“It bothers me a lot because I think people don’t really look at my talent,” Chris Smith said last month via Ian Begley of ESPN New York. “They just look at, ‘J.R. is here and he’s been here,”

J.R. Smith also became frustrated with the questions surrounding his brother’s ability.

“I was definitely frustrated because you get tired of people trying to pick on your little brother, so it’s my little brother, I’m going to step up for him, good, bad or ugly,” J.R. Smith said.

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