JR Smith officially agrees to deal with Knicks (merged)

[mkwest]

A little late, but this was somewhat of an interesting read.

Fight for J.R. Smith offers warnings for Trail Blazers

I introduced myself to Del Negro. Then, told him I wasn't as interested in talking about the Blazers-Clippers game as I was talking about the other big game. You know, the one that had the Clippers coach text messaging promises to free-agent guard J.R. Smith, locked up in a do-or-die recruiting battle with the New York Knicks.

Said Del Negro: "You have my attention."

Things got so interesting Thursday that Smith hopped a plane from China to LAX, arriving at the airport in the late afternoon, where he was intercepted, his camp said, by a representative for the Knicks. Smith was apparently headed later in the evening to Las Vegas, and according to a source in Smith's family, the Knicks bought a ticket for their guy and sent him along, too.

New York apparently hoped to sign Smith as he cleared Customs, and I can't say I blame them after what I heard Del Negro promised Smith.

Get this: Smith was told via text message from Del Negro, in what feels like a desperate, last-ditch effort, that he'd be -- a starter -- for the Clippers.

"What I text to J.R. is between J.R. and me," Del Negro said. "We're just trying to make our team better. I think everyone on our team understands that."

I asked Del Negro if Mo Williams and Randy Foye, who started against the Blazers on Thursday, would understand. Is it a challenge, trying to keep the two guys who might be most affected from losing focus? And to that, Del Negro said, "My front office is trying to get me the best possible team."

Williams said he'd remain professional, for the record. He said: "I have to do my routine."

John Canzano, The Oregonian

[Cracka2Hi]

I'm watching the Knicks/Dallas game and Smith is chucking away! Maybe it's good we didn't get him.

[NYK210]

Smith was awesome today he provided a much needed scoring spark off the bench

[Chronz]

He will be a great addition. Damn he looked good, that guy can fit into any system, I hate how hes been perceived all these years.