J.R. Smith, who missed the Knicks' 98-93 loss to the Nets on Tuesday with "flu-like symptoms,'' is being kept away from the club. At least it doesn't appear to be mumps.

The Knicks' medical staff is on high alert after the Rangers' Tanner Glass was diagnosed with the mumps a few days ago. Dr. Lisa Callahan coordinates the medical staffs for both the Knicks and Rangers, who share the Tarrytown practice facility.

The Knicks are considering giving their players mumps booster shots on a case-by-case basis, looking to take all precautions. The Knicks have all but ruled out mumps for Smith.

Some background, in case you are baffled: Yes, mumps is an old-timey disease people in developed countries mostly don't get anymore because we've got vaccines. And yet, over the last few weeks, mumps has been going around the NHL, with cases reported on the Anaheim Ducks, Minnesota Wild, and most recently the Rangers.

So when J.R. Smith showed up over the weekend suffering from flu-like symptoms, then had to stop playing early in the game against the Heat, then felt even worse before Tuesday's game against the Nets, the Knicks probably got a bit worried. And they'll surely take some of the same precautions the Rangers did, because a locker room beset by the pall of losing doesn't *also* want to be ridden with some Oregon-Trail-ass virus for the foreseeable future.

And yeah, that's how we end up with the above Berman article, which also includes Derek Fisher calling Andrea Bargnani "a big piece" and Amar'e Stoudemire insisting he's not a tennis player. This is where we are.

Pulling a disabled Brooklyn fan from MSG

While leaving his peg leg in section 105, row 12, seat L

Things like this provide tangible evidence of a season gone bad

BigDaddyG wrote:

H1AND1 wrote:I heard Bargs extended absence is due to a helluva case of the scurvy.

I thought scurvy was caused by a lack of vitamin C, not D?

F500ONE wrote:

mreinman wrote:

F500ONE wrote:Funnier story was Knicks security

Pulling a disabled Brooklyn fan from MSG

While leaving his peg leg in section 105, row 12, seat L

Things like this provide tangible evidence of a season gone bad

yeah - that was a nice one.

like escorting your coach out of the building

This is the second case I believe within a year

Throwing fans out, the last one was the high profile Stock Broker

Who was yelling profanities at Melo and lost his job

Within days of the incident

I wonder as Phil takes this in, in the flesh

How much of the culture he realizes has to change

They deserve to be kicked out. If you want to stay in the game don't be abusive. If you can't enjoy yourself without abusing other people then stay at home and watch the game and do some self reflection. People have a right to do their job without being subject to abuse. I know there's a bit more leeway in sports, but there's still a limit.