Metta World Peace Blames JR Smith For Not Re-Signing With New York Knicks

Metta World Peace believes the New York Knicks did not re-sign him because of his poor relationship with J.R. Smith.

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Although Metta World Peace (also known as Ron Artest) spent a handful of seasons outside of the Big Apple, the St. John’s product always wanted to play for his hometown New York Knicks. He was finally given a chance in 2013 though the marriage was short lived.

World Peace only played for the Knicks one season though made it clear he wanted to return after his contract expired. Apparently the feeling wasn’t mutual as the New York Knicks let the veteran forward go.

Any reason behind that? Well, many would have assumed it was simply Metta World Peace’s declining skills though the forward who’s now playing in China blames J.R. Smith as the reason why the New York Knicks didn’t attempt to bring him back.

“I don’t understand why they didn’t [sign] me,’’ World Peace said. “But then again, I’m very direct. I think I was too direct in the locker room, too direct to J.R. Smith. It wasn’t from a bad place. I’m older, been on great teams in Sacramento and L.A.”

The man formerly known as Ronald Artest continued.

“I said some things directly to J.R. Smith in the locker room and he challenged me back, said some direct things to me. But he understood where we came from.”

While it’s very possible the New York Knicks didn’t like the interaction between the two players, it seems difficult to suggest J.R. was the reason as to why Metta World Peace wasn’t brought back. Hell, it appears the Knicks would happily trade Smith away to rid themselves of his volume shooting skills if they could find a willing taker. That of course has proven to be the problem and is much of the reason Smith is still in the Big Apple.

Metta World Peace believes the New York Knicks did not re-sign him because of his poor relationship with J.R. Smith.

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