J.R. Smith Accused Of Choking A Teen

Former Knicks guard J.R. Smith has been accused of choking a 19-year-old in Chelsea after the teen quipped about the hoopster’s trade to Cleveland.

Smith, 30, has not been arrested for the alleged incident outside Artichoke Basille’s Pizza about 4 a.m. on Nov. 13 at W. 17th St. and 10th Ave., which shares a block with celebrity hangout 1OAK.

It’s not clear if Smith, a New Jersey native who was in town to play his former team the same day, was coming from the club.

The teen, Justin Brown, who told cops he lives in Harlem, was with pals who chided Smith for ignoring their photo request.

Smith is seen on a cell phone video walking away from the group, sources said.

“That’s why New York kicked you out, yo!” Brown remarked.

Brown told cops that’s when Smith, who is 6-feet-6 and 225 pounds, checked the teen against the building and put his hands around the high school student’s neck, sources said.

A police report was filed three days later when Brown went to the 10th Precinct stationhouse, although cops did respond to the scene when it happened, sources said.

It’s not clear why no complaint was filed there, but a source said cops told Brown the initial report was “lost.”

Brown’s lawyer Leon Jacobson called his client “sweet” and said the teen “did nothing to deserve this attack.”

“Using your physical dominance to inflict pain and instill fear into somebody who is clearly weaker than you is unacceptable in any context, but there is something sick about doing it to a kid asking you to take a picture with him,” he said.

But Smith took to Twitter Friday night, saying, “Don’t believe everything you read!”

Smith’s lawyer Alex Spiro said, “The allegation is completely false. He won’t be arrested.”

In a statement, Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin said the team is “aware of the story and have spoken to J.R. about it.”

“J.R.’s attorney has issued a statement on the matter and there will be no further comment from the team on this at this point.”

Smith has been in trouble in the past, including for punching other players.

In 2009, he received a jail sentence in New Jersey for participation in a fatal collision.

Smith was arrested in 2012 in Florida on charges he drove without a valid license.

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