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08:10 AM ET 02.17 | When he arrived at LAX from China, J.R. Smith was reportedly intercepted by a rep from 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. Start? Smith? Really? "What I text to J.R. is between J.R. and me," Del Negro said. "We're just trying to make our team better."

J.R. Smith, Getty Images

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February 17, 2012 08:13 AM ET

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jr smith? u kiddin me? what a disaster that would be

rasec_16

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February 17, 2012 08:23 AM ET

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I dont get why ppl are so against this guy....He is no worse than some other chunkers in the league....

K.I.G.

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February 17, 2012 08:43 AM ET

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QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 08:41 AM ET 02.17 by jgb

Cause he's dumb as a rock

i didnt know NBA players were suppossed to be smart...They are asking him to score the ball and shoot the three and there arent many that are free agents that can do it better than him....

K.I.G.

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February 17, 2012 08:52 AM ET

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Well they need a scorer to replace billups points.... Get him on board... If Not the Lakers could use him coming off the bench on the wings...

Ziggy The Fresh…

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February 17, 2012 09:06 AM ET

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I'm not a huge fan of J.R. Smith and his antics (both on and off of the court), but he's got exactly the type of skill-set that the Lakers need. He's a productive scorer and, when he's hot with the shot, few can put up the numbers in bunches the way that he does. I also think that his defense is a bit underrated. He's a pesky defender who can get after it when he's willing to put forth the effort. Sad thing is, I don't see him signing with the Lakers. I'd bet he goes to either the Clippers or Heat.

Hoffa The Great

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February 17, 2012 09:07 AM ET

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QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 08:43 AM ET 02.17 by K.I.G.

i didnt know NBA players were suppossed to be smart...They are asking him to score the ball and shoot the three and there arent many that are free agents that can do it better than him....

For 1 he's a volume shooter who brings nothing else to a team
Secondly he is useless when his shot is not falling
Third..too many to list, time for coffee

DR_Universal

Charlotte , NC

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February 17, 2012 09:31 AM ET

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QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 09:07 AM ET 02.17 by DR_Universal

For 1 he's a volume shooter who brings nothing else to a teamSecondly he is useless when his shot is not fallingThird..too many to list, time for coffee

Volume? The guy averages about 12 shots a game the last three years....Thats his role as a 6th man....Her has averaged over one steal a game the last 3 years....and he shoots about 37% from 3 which was his role in Denver....So i guess you missed on all the things you listed...

K.I.G.

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February 17, 2012 09:33 AM ET

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QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 09:06 AM ET 02.17 by Hoffa The Great

I'm not a huge fan of J.R. Smith and his antics (both on and off of the court), but he's got exactly the type of skill-set that the Lakers need. He's a productive scorer and, when he's hot with the shot, few can put up the numbers in bunches the way that he does. I also think that his defense is a bit underrated. He's a pesky defender who can get after it when he's willing to put forth the effort. Sad thing is, I don't see him signing with the Lakers. I'd bet he goes to either the Clippers or Heat.

We are on the same page...This guy can help a contender....

K.I.G.

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February 17, 2012 09:37 AM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 08:40 AM ET 02.17 by jgb

PLEASE go to the clips.......Stay away from ny.Ps- he's going to vegas? Really? Not going to the gym and work out and get ready? This is why I hope ny puff, puff passes

Practice? Don't you think a season of chinese ball is a little more then practice?? I would love this guy as a knick. Any hot head is a hot head because the coach allows it. Otherwise on our team smith will not be the second option like in denver. So i doubt he'll have many opportunities to jack up shots. And in bumtoni's system he will work. It's just bumtoni's job to keep him in line. And when he is he's a pretty good player.

complex

New York , NY

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February 17, 2012 09:39 AM ET

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VIA Text? What the *&^% is going on.

VisionQuest

Swansboro, NC

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February 17, 2012 09:53 AM ET

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Be Careful What You Wish For, Bro!

I Love LA

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February 17, 2012 09:59 AM ET

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The New York Post is reporting that JR Smith will sign with the New York Knicks today for the league minimum $2.5 million and will be available to play for them on Sunday...hmmm.

SoonerThunder

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February 17, 2012 10:04 AM ET

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QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 09:31 AM ET 02.17 by K.I.G.

Volume? The guy averages about 12 shots a game the last three years....Thats his role as a 6th man....Her has averaged over one steal a game the last 3 years....and he shoots about 37% from 3 which was his role in Denver....So i guess you missed on all the things you listed...

Volume shooter meaning that he can only score points when shooting a lot of shots. Why? B/c he's not efficient. I'm not sayin he can't knock down 3s but at what expense?

He's a decent player but not to the extent where Del Negro should be texting and coaxing him to come to Lob City...he's not going to be the piece to put any team over the top, not even my NYK.