NBA – Disappointed, J.R. Smith denounces, “I think the league owes me money!”

Par Guillaume Kagni | Journaliste sportif

J.R. Smith is a player who counts in the league’s recent history, having played a particularly important role in the Cavaliers’ 2016 coronation. Yet he doesn’t feel he’s been recognized for his worth. He spoke to Carmelo Anthony’s podcast.

LeBron James’ two stints with the Cavaliers couldn’t have been more different. In the first, management simply counted on the King’s talent to go far in the playoffs, or, on a misunderstanding, to win a title. But fed up with not having enough help, he had finally left for Miami, where Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh were waiting for him.

On his return, the sporting direction was logically reviewed in Ohio. Andrew Wiggins, who had just been selected with the first pick of the 2014 Draft, had packed his bags to make way for Kevin Love, a far more experienced talent. The interior immediately became an essential cog alongside LeBron and Kyrie Irving, the third member of this magical trio.

J.R. Smith talks about his image in the league

But behind them, and this is something that has been forgotten over time, were very high-level players like J.R. Smith. While he is often mocked for his blunder in Game 1 of the 2018 Finals, the fullback had a major impact on the Cavaliers’ successes. As he explained in Carmelo Anthony’s podcast, he doesn’t feel recognized for his true worth.

I feel like I’m owed money in the NBA. I think I’m one of those people who weren’t born at the right time. I’m happy to see the evolution of the league, but at the same time I’m sad because the specialists don’t appreciate all the ways of playing basketball. What Golden State has done is incredible, but this system wouldn’t work in every team. Not everyone can follow a single trend.

When I say I’m owed money, it’s because I don’t think I’ve been portrayed in the right way. Today, people come up to me and say they didn’t think I was so nice. Do people really think I’m mean? Do they think I’m the kind of guy who walks around shirtless with a bottle of booze every day? People think I’m uneducated.

J.R. Smith is doubly angry with the NBA. Firstly, because he doesn’t play in the current league, which is based on his intrinsic qualities, but also because he has never been presented in the right way in the media. Even today, some fans think he’s arrogant, not very serious and likes too much alcohol. It’s not true, and he’s right to tell the truth.