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Phil Jackson says J.R. Smith had ‘delinquent behavior’ and ‘issues with gal’

It isn’t exactly a secret that J.R. Smith has had problems off the court, but New York Knicks president Phil Jackson has decided to remove all doubt.

In the most recent edition of his Jackson chronicles, ESPN’s Charley Rosen — a former assistant coach under Jackson — spoke to the Zen Master about why Smith was traded. Rather than giving cliche answers like “we did what was best for our team at the time,” Jackson basically unloaded on Smith.

“J.R. had been exhibiting some delinquent behavior and had gotten into the habit of coming late to team meetings, or missing them altogether,” he explained.