Toward the end of the Hornets' triumph against the Miami Heat on Wednesday night, Coach Byron Scott put in his reserves. There was Brandon Bass, the second-round draft pick; Arvydas Macijauskas, the international product turned NBA project; and J.R. Smith, the three-time Western Conference Rookie of the Month last season, embarrassingly checking in for garbage time.

"I thought I'd never have to do that," Smith said Thursday.

But of late, Smith has been reduced to cheerleader. His lackluster shooting and disappearing work ethic has frustrated Scott, who made it clear he doesn't care who's on the court, as long as they are producing.

"NBA stands for National Basketball Association, but it also stands for 'No Babies Allowed,' " Scott said. "This is a man's league, and you have got to be professional about your position and what you do to stay on the court and get playing time. It's that simple."

When asked if he was more inspired last season, Smith said, "It was my first year last year, and I was trying to impress everybody and trying to please the crowd. . . . I put a lot of pressure on myself more last year than this year."