Cavaliers' J.R. Smith turning other cheek with refs

Cleveland does seem to be reforming Cavaliers swingman J.R. Smith. After arriving via trade from the New York Knicks one year ago Tuesday, he admitted there wasn't as much trouble to get into in northern Ohio as there was in Gotham (a night out for him now appears to be a suburban dinner party).

On the floor, Smith says he's done jawing with NBA referees.

"I'm trying to leave the refs alone," Smith told the Akron Beacon Journal's Jason Lloyd. "I'm used to at least being able to talk to them, but the last couple years they don't want to hear nothing from me."

Smith has been called for one technical foul this season, and had another rescinded. He had eight last year. Smith credits that change to turning around and walking away when he disagrees with a ref's call.

"The crazy thing is they all want to laugh and joke with me before the game," Smith said of officials. "Watch them during layup line, 'Hey J.R.' I'm not going to talk to you because as soon as we go jump ball they're going to start what they do and I'll be upset which is going to take me out of my game, which is going to take my team out of the game."

Smith is having his typical up-and-down season in terms of play. In Monday's win over the Toronto Raptors, he scored 24 points on eight treys. In the previous two contests, he shot a combined 5-for-18 from the floor.