J.R. Smith won't apologize for cheap shot against Jae Crowder
There's no love lost between the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers.
The two old rivals faced off in last season's playoffs, and although the Cavaliers dispatched the scrappy Celtics with relative ease, there was bad blood on both sides.
Namely, Kelly Olynyk dislocated Kevin Love's shoulder and J.R. Smith hit Jae Crowder with a backhanded punch. Crowder sprained his ACL when he fell.
Olynyk has since made amends with Love (although that might not be enough for LeBron James), but Smith has no plans to apologize, as he told Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com after Tuesday's game.
J.R. Smith says Jae Crowder can hold his breathe if he's waiting for an apology.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) December 16, 2015
More J.R. Smith on Jae Crowder requesting an apology: "It's pretty ballsy though to ask for an apology from another man."
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) December 16, 2015
Crowder told reporters Monday that he's still expecting to hear from Smith.
Unlike the Love/Olynyk incident, Smith's actions were more obviously foul, as he took a swing and connected with Crowder's head. The league agreed, handing Smith a two-game suspension.
Given Smith's lengthy history of dirty plays, Crowder likely shouldn't expect a display of sportsmanship.