Denver Police Close Investigation Into J.R. Smith Choking Incident

Almost a month after re-opening the investigation into the J.R. Smith choking incident during a pickup game of basketball in August, the Denver Police Department has closed the case, reports AOL Fanhouse:

“Yeah the J.R. Smith story is basically that there’s not enough evidence to move forward with that investigation,” [Denver Police spokesman Sonny] Jackson told FanHouse by phone. “(We’re) not going to move forward at this time. Closed case, pretty much, unless something comes up that we’re not aware of. But based on what we have at this point in time, it’s currently a closed case.”

Smith is also a candidate to leave Denver via trade this season.

Report: Denver Police Re-Open Investigation Into J.R. Smith Choking Incident

Earlier we noted that Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith was being investigated for a potential choking incident at the team’s practice facility. Today, the Denver Post reports that Denver Police have re-opened that investigation.

An assault investigation of Nuggets guard J.R. Smith — stemming from an alleged choking during a pickup game at the Pepsi Center earlier this month — was reopened Thursday, according to the Denver Police Department.

Mary Dulaki, who is in charge of records for Denver Police, said today the case for the Aug. 13 incident in the Nuggets’ practice gym has been reopened. Now, the initial police report, which was requested by The Denver Post, is now part of an open investigation and cannot be released.

“Additional information has come forward,” she said. “A witness they hadn’t gotten before, they’ve now interviewed and made a decision to reopen the case.”

It’s not often a police investigation of an NBA player isn’t the team’s top story but today is no ordinary day for the Denver Nuggets. They agreed to hire a new general manager and their star player is making serious noise that he wants out. Oof.

For everything Nuggets, check out SB Nation’s Denver Stiffs.

Report: J.R. Smith Allegedly Chokes Player At Nuggets Practice Facility

Sam Amick of NBA Fanhouse reports that Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith may have been involved in a choking incident during workout time at the Nuggets practice facility this August.

According to a league source who spoke with one of the people in the gym, numerous players were taking part in drills when members of the Nuggets' coaching staff told the player who later called police to be physical with Smith.

"They were just wanting the guy to be physical with J.R., telling the other guys, 'Hey, body up on the guys and really make them work,'" the source said. "J.R. just lost it. He tried to choke the kid, and the kid called the cops."    

The Denver Police Department confirmed that an incident took place at the facility and that they investigated.  

For everything Nuggets, head over to SB Nation's Denver Stiffs.