Josh Smith did not play in the second half of the Detroit Pistons' 106-82 blowout loss against the Washington Wizards, the second time Maurice Cheeks has made that decision this season.

Smith took "real offense" to Cheeks calling him out for not playing hard.

"Like I told y'all before when we had this conversation, when you hit adverse times, characters are gonna be tested," Smith said.  "It's either that we're gonna come closer together and make it all one team, or are you gonna use a scapegoat to get away from what's really at hand?"

Smith said he isn't inclined to have a personal discussion with Cheeks about their disagreement before the next game.
"To me, it's over with," Smith said.  "But you know, some people hold grudges longer than others.  I don't know.  I don't know.  I'm not saying that he (Cheeks) does.  I don't know.
"But I'm not the type of person that really likes to go all the time in the coach's office and have one-on-one sitdowns.  I'm more of a team morale guy, worrying about what we can do, as far as teammates are concerned, to make ourselves more successful."