NBA fined J.R. Smith $25,000 for Tweets

The NBA fined J.R. Smith $25,000 for directing hostile and inappropriate language to another player via his Twitter account, in violation of NBA rules.

Smith took exception to Pistons guard Brandon Jennings’ tweet questioning whether his brother, Chris Smith, belonged in the NBA. Jennings later removed his tweet.

But J.R. defended Chris and wrote he has “no respect” for “lil kids who pop at the mouth on twitter” and then “delete their tweets.” Moments later, Smith tweeted, “Might call some of my Number street homies an put #Detroit on smash for a min! ?Serious.”

Before last night's game against the Rockets, Smith denied that it was a threat and didn’t think it warranted any penalty.

“There's a way to threaten somebody and that's not the way to publicly threaten somebody,” Smith said. “I really didn't think it was that big of a deal. Apparently it is.”

During his weekly radio spot on spot on 98.7 FM ESPN New York, Mike Woodson admitted he was “not happy” with Smith for his tweets, and said “eventually no team is going to want to deal with you,” if he keeps putting himself in these positions.

Smith was fined $25,000 in 2012 for posting an inappropriate photo of a woman on twitter.