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Paul Pierce didn't say much at Thursday's charity event, but the Nets swingman still managed to sneak in a dig at Knicks sixth man J.R. Smith.

(Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports)

Nets point guard Deron Williams hosted a charity dodgeball event on Thursday, which was attended by most of his teammates including veteran swingman Paul Pierce.

As one of the driving forces behind the Knicks-Nets trash talk this summer, Pierce was asked about J.R. Smith, who has made headlines of his own through a surprise knee surgery, a title guarantee and a five-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

Maybe in a different environment—like, one where people weren't trying to raise money for autism-related charities—Pierce would have responded with more of his usual daggers. Instead, Pierce just said, "Who?" which may have served the same purpose.

"Who are we talking about right now?" Pierce asked rhetorically, as quoted by Tim Bontemps of the New York Post. "Exactly."

As I've stated several times, this trash talk is getting old and I'm not certain that it was every interesting.

In other Knicks news:

• Jared Zwerling, who now works at Bleacher Report, claims the Knicks coaches want to sign Earl Barron, but the front office hasn't been convinced: "A second source familiar with the Knicks' free-agency plans confirmed they are interested in Barron, 32, who appeared in seven games (six starts) for the Knicks in 2009-10, averaging 11.7 points and 11.0 rebounds over 33.1 minutes. Last season—while he only played in one regular-season game for the Knicks, an 11-point, 18-rebound performance on April 17 against the Atlanta Hawks—the source said he impressed Knicks coach Mike Woodson during his short stint."

• Zwerling also reported that the Knicks hired a new trainer who was recommended by Smith.

• This is going to annoy some Knicks fans. USA Today's Adi Joseph ranked the Knicks 17th in their "watchability" rankings. Don't feel too bad, though. The Nets were 20th.