
via Getty
CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 5: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against Maccabi Tel Aviv at The Quicken Loans Arena on October 16, 2014 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)

via Getty
CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 5: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against Maccabi Tel Aviv at The Quicken Loans Arena on October 16, 2014 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
The four-time champion LeBron James was on another level during his second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He took them to the Finals for four straight years, though could only win one championship as the Golden State Warriors handed them defeat on three occasions. Recently, a two-time championship-winning player who was instrumental in the Cavs’ 2016 title-winning run talked about the feeling of reaching four NBA Finals. While talking on this, he dragged the $427 billion worth company, Johnson & Johnson?for a particular reason.
Following James’ departure, the Cavaliers struggled to reach the playoffs, let alone the Finals. That said two-time champion also revealed how he felt after King James left the Cavs to join the Los Angeles Lakers.
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J.R Smith reveals his feeling about reaching four NBA Finals and the time after LeBron James’ departure
J.R Smith recently made an appearance on?The Old Man and Three?podcast and spoke about a myriad of intriguing things. In one instance, the host, JJ Reddick asked him how it felt to reach four NBA Finals. Smith replied by saying he got much more relevant and drew attention from everywhere.
He added, “After we won it[2016 NBA title] I was literally going anywhere and everywhere with no tickets…It’s very hard to not get caught up in that because when you see people? treat in a certain way and then it just stops, it’s like retiring. The 2013 NBA Sixth Man of the Year further added, “When you’re on the floor and you phone, everybody wants to pick up the phone and talk to you.”
Subsequently, he brought Johnson and Johnson into the conversation to describe how it feels when one is not successful anymore. He said, ” Johnson and Johnson just don’t want to highlight you, bro. Like your kid is cute but they are not just about to be sending packages out like that.”
After a few mins, Smith revealed that the worst phase started after James departed in 2018. He said, “Bron leaves, they fired Ty Lue[Tyronn Lue]. They were like okay we’re just gonna rebuild and just start work, helping the young guys out. I’m like – this is the same team? It’s a little weird but all right.”
The now 37-year-old continued, “From start to finish you were going from having a mindset of winning the championship…then now when he leaves it’s just like okay we’re just gonna try be competitive. Who? What do you mean just try to be competitive? We just went to the Finals four years in a row – we got to make some moves -we gotta trade for somebody…That’s nerve-wracking though…Like used to being good and then go bad, it’s really bad.”
Smith enjoyed a good time for four years in a row but that time didn’t last long. Shortly after the 19x All-Star left, everything fell apart. However, Smith did win a championship again in 2020 by playing alongside James in the Lakers.
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Smith showers adulations on James
In the same podcast, the former Cavaliers player was full of praise for the all-time leading scorer. He said, “His work ethic and his drive is ridiculous” The four-time All-Star further added James could work with or communicate with anyone on the team as he is not bothered with a player’s position on the team.
He said, “It doesn’t matter if you’re the 15th man on the team or the second man on the team. He’ll work out with you…communicate with you.”
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Watch this story- LeBron James leaves 60 million worth businessman and thousands of fans speechless
What are your thoughts on J.R. Smith’s remarks? Let us know in the comments below.
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