Nuggets' coach George Karl and J.R. Smith have had their share of issues since the guard joined the team in 2006, and they apparently aren't on speaking terms.

"We never talk," Smith said. "I wish (the two could). You never want to not even talk to your coach."

Smith was benched last Wednesday against the Clippers because Karl said he was "extremely late" to a practice, and he played just seven scoreless minutes Saturday at Minnesota.

"J.R. is a good-bad player, and we're trying to take the bad out and magnify the good," Karl said after using Smith for 30 minutes against the Rockets on Sunday. "For me, there's, as the game goes on, there's a lot of ways I can try to win them.

"And consistency, defense and a positive, good attitude would keep him on the court. But I don't think he gives us always those three every night we play. Some nights I'll tolerate his bad and some nights I'm probably going to go someplace else."