Earl Smith fined over $1 million (nothing to do with the Knicks, don't worry)

(via cache.deadspin.com)

That's right, that's Earl Smith in a Zhejiang Chouzhou jersey. Because this has to do with Earl's transgressions in China.

According to a report from NiuBBall.com, recently added Knicks guard J.R. Smith was fined over $1 million for missing practices with his Chinese Basketball team Zhejiang Chouzhou.

A report published by NetEase states that Smith had $1.06 million deducted from his salary over the course of the season for missing practices. Most of the missed practices came during preseason.

"This was the arrangement when he came to the team," said Zhao. "Every practice we let him know. If he expressed to us that he wasn’t going to come to practice, we’d tell him that in accordance with our contract, we’re deducting money from your salary. And he’d always get back to us with, ‘Whatever. If you’re going to take it, then just take it.’"

To be honest with you guys, I could care less. He probably had little positive motivation playing out a contract that he probably regretted signing. I'll judge him for his transgression here in New York, if there are any. And he seems to be getting along with his teammates just fine. But damn, one million is a lot of missed practices.