<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">LAKEWOOD - The high- pitched chant from hundreds of school-age admirers was impossible to ignore. J-R. J-R. J-R. After smiling in response, Nuggets guard J.R. Smith arose from his sideline seat and made his way to the free-throw line to take part in a shooting contest against children half his age. Some of the most productive therapy sessions don't require a couch. Still recovering mentally and physically from an automobile accident that killed one of his best friends, Smith is spending the week helping Nuggets teammate Carmelo Anthony at the annual Camp Melo basketball camp. "It's been fun since I've been here," Smith, 21, said during a lunch break Tuesday. "A lot of kids appreciate it. They're having fun, and I'm having fun with them. There's nothing I'd rather be doing other than this. "They keep asking me to dunk it and dunk it and dunk it. It's hard because sometimes you just want to chill and relax when you're tired, but when you dunk the ball and see their face, it makes it worth it." Returning to the gym and complying with gravity-defying requests is part of a healing process that remains in the early stages. Smith injured his left shoulder and suffered cuts and bruises during a head-on collision in Millstone Township, N.J., on June 9. His friend, Andre Bell, died two days after the crash. Smith was cited for failing to stop at a stop sign and improper passing and could face additional charges related to Bell's death. He declined to answer specific questions about the accident but said he is trying to regain a sense of normalcy. The process has included regular workouts at the Pepsi Center and a trip to a Rockies-Yankees game at Coors Field with center Marcus Camby three weeks ago. Smith also spent time with Anthony during the NBA draft in New York on June 28. "It feels like the season, without the games and practices," Smith said. "You still get up around the same time, just come here (to the gym) and work out and then hang out for the rest of the day." </div> Source: Rocky Mountain News
Hopefully this wont completely set this kid back once the season starts. He is going to be huge for this team either as a starter with AI playing point or coming off the bench and hitting 3's.
