Tuesday Post-Practice Notes

Now that we got all the mushy stuff out of the way, let us speak of basketball. The Knicks and the Celtics and the reporters covering the series hardly have anything to say to one another four games into the thing, but there were some noteworthy items to come from practice today.

- J.R. Smith, speaking to media for the first time since his suspension for massaging Jason Terry's face with his elbow, was in top form:

Asked about Jason Terry, @therealjrsmith said, "I don't know who that is."

— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) April 30, 2013

Shouldn't that negate the suspension? J.R. either thought Terry was a spectator intruding onto the court-- in which case self-defense was justified-- or he didn't even perceive Terry's presence, in which case it was an accident. I say we redo Game 4, but since everyone's in New York already, just do it here.

J.R. acknowledged he lost his cool b/c of questionable tactics from Terry, like being hit in man region. #NYK #Knicks

— Tony Williams (@TBone8) April 30, 2013

I know from college that "man region" means genitals. Terry did take a pretty hard swipe at J.R. before the incident, and it's conceivable that it landed on or near the #pipe. That might get a cool lost, yeah.

JR Smith he would have been on the golf course today had he played in Game 4.

— Al Iannazzone (@Al_Iannazzone) April 30, 2013

Naturally.

J.R. Smith on suspension "I can’t really say what my reaction was. It won’t be good for me or my team." #Knicks

— Barbara Barker (@meanbarb) April 30, 2013

But I now I want to know a LOT.

J.R. Smith said what he learned from his suspension was "don't throw elbows."

— Al Iannazzone (@Al_Iannazzone) April 30, 2013

Indeed!

- J.R. also insists the Knicks would have swept if he played, which...yeah, quite possibly.

- Carmelo Anthony, at least semi-acknowledging that he got a little wild in Game 4:

As for taking 35 shots in Game 4, Carmelo said: "Thirty-five shots is a lot shots for me. Kinda out of character for myself."

— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) April 30, 2013

- Mike Woodson on Chris Copeland's absence from Game 4:

Woody on Cope's Game 4 DNP: "I decided to go w/ Novak & it’s tough to play [them] together. If I ... can throw Chris in there I’ll do that."

— Jared Zwerling (@JaredZwerling) April 30, 2013

Woody's decision not to play Copeland and Steve Novak together is wise and adaptive. However, as I said before: 1. Cope over Novak, right? 2. I'd play Copeland, Novak, and an olive at the same time before I'd give Quentin Richardson minutes.

- What's Amar'e been up to? During practice, he's working on post moves and getting his wind back. During games, he's helping chart stats for the coaching staff. That's what the manila folder is, kinda disappointingly.

- Oh, and retired NBA player Rasheed Wallace is still wearing his jersey during practice. I love that so much.

- Jay King's got all your updates from Celtics practice. It's mostly trash backtalk and desperation/determination. Still worth a look.

Game 5 is tomorrow at 7:00.