Knicks' J.R. Smith says Nets' Paul Pierce is 'going to have to pay for' trash talk
Knicks guard J.R. Smith said Paul Pierce is "a bitter person" who "doesn't really know what New York is all about." (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Shooting guard J.R. Smith became the second New York Knick this month to fire back at new Brooklyn Nets small forward Paul Pierce's boast that "it's time for the Nets to start running this city."
In comments to ESPN New York during a charity golf clinic at Chelsea Piers on Saturday, Smith called Pierce "bitter" and said that his words will "have consequences."
Two weeks ago, Knicks point guard Raymond Felton said that the Nets will "never take over the city," dismissing Pierce's comments "talk to fuel the rivalry."
Smith, who joined the Knicks last season and signed a three-year extension this offseason, was more pointed in his response.
From ESPN New York's Ian Begley:
"I just look at him as a bitter person just getting out of Boston. He doesn't really know what New York is all about. He's been playing in Boston his whole career," Smith told ESPN New York on Saturday.
Smith, speaking without anger in his voice, added: "He just knows, just know that his words have consequences and he's going to have to pay for them."
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On Saturday, Smith said Pierce's comments don't necessarily rub him the wrong way, but he disagrees strongly with the idea that the Nets will eventually take over New York.
"They're in one borough, we're all over. So it's like, you're on an island and we've got the whole country. So it's nothing really to even talk about," Smith said.
