The NBA’s reigning Sixth Man of the Year, J.R. Smith will be suspended for five games Yahoo Sports reports. A source says the New York Knicks guard tested positive for marijuana, thus violating the NBA’s substance abuse policy. The Association is expected to make a formal announcement late Friday or Monday.
Smith is currently out of commission as he recovers from his knee surgery and is not expected to be ready for the season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks on Oct. 30. Smith was recently suspended in Game 4 of the playoff series against the Boston Celtics for elbowing Jason Terry. The often troubled guard was suspended 17 games when he was on the Denver Nuggets, including involvement in a brawl as well as a reckless driving charge for a 2007 auto accident that resulted in the death of a passenger.
Smith just signed a three-year deal worth $17 million contract during the off-season with the Knicks which looks to be paying big dividends to the team already.
