JR Smith sat down in front of a Lakers backdrop, removed a purple and gold bandana from his face and smiled at a screen to begin his first (remote) press conference as Laker.
NBA team and he’s determined to enjoy every moment." data-reactid="24">Almost a year has passed since Smith was part of an NBA team and is determined to enjoy every moment.
“Being someone who has been around for most of his adult life, when this is a little taken away from you, gives you a cultural shock and obviously you don’t understand what you lost until he is gone,” Smith said. . “So, for me more than anything else, I just want to appreciate the moment.”
After not playing for nearly 20 months, Smith is receiving another opportunity – one that he wasn’t sure would come. Last week, the Lakers signed the 34-year-old guard for the remainder of the season, which will be played in Florida, replacing Avery Bradley.
Will it last beyond this season? Smith doesn’t know. And somehow he doesn’t care.
“I only take it one day at a time,” said Smith. “Literally one breath at a time. Because I’ve been out for a while. Being around and being in that environment is so refreshing and very necessary. “
Smith spent 4 and a half years in Cleveland and has been with the Cavaliers for four consecutive final appearances alongside LeBron James. They won a championship in 2016. Their race ended after the 2018 finals, when the Cavaliers were swept by the Golden State Warriors after Smith’s late mistake sparked James’ wrath in Game 1.
Smith and James had a long history that precedes their time together. That’s why when they became teammates, Smith felt comfortable in challenging James. He feels that skill will help his transition into this new team so late in the season.
“I know how ‘Bron can get pissed and people won’t know how to deal with it. So it gives that gap of understanding, “Smith said, insisting that James” keep winning “as he parallels how Michael Jordan approached teammates in the documentary” The Last Dance “.
“Because as we have all seen in the MJ document … he was so hard on his teammates and things like that. But we have a case like LeBron, it’s different,” said Smith, “because obviously he does everything he wants from to win, and everything else. Sometimes it somehow comes out the wrong way. And you need that bridge as a player to be sent to the next player, like “Hey look buddy, it’s nothing personal.”
The Lakers worked on Smith in March, but opted to sign Dion Waiters. Smith has participated in individual training at the Lakers since he signed and the team was hit.
“This is a really great story,” said coach Frank Vogel. “When you look at a guy who could potentially be out of the league and a couple of years ago he was an appetizer in a team of Finals, a champion, for him to have perseverance to be ready and give himself this opportunity, I think, is to be praised. “
It hasn’t always been easy. There have been times when Smith wondered if his career was over.
NBA] 2K' anymore,” Smith said. “I don’t wanna hoop, I don’t wanna work out, I don’t wanna play '2K,' I don’t want do anything with basketball.”" data-reactid="36">“I have been in a very depressed state for a long time. And it lasted for a few months, where I didn’t – I’m a great video player, I haven’t even played “[NBA] 2K ‘more, “said Smith.” I don’t want to circle, I don’t want to train, I don’t want to play 2K, “I don’t want to do anything with basketball.”
His parents helped him solve it, he said.
“My dad is always on me and on me and on me for what I’ve accomplished and what I still left in the tank and things like that,” said Smith. “So … if it wasn’t for them, I’d probably still be in that situation.”
