To state that Cleveland Cavaliers swingman J.R. Smith is a strong-willed individual would be an understatement. The 33-year-old Cavs man recently opened up about the many self-inflicted struggles he has faced in his life, and explained how he has come out stronger after each one.
Speaking to Jesse Washington of The Undefeated, Smith admitted to his fair share of mistakes in life. So much so, that he has learned how to ably cope with such difficult times.
“I’ve messed up so many times in my life,” Smith told ESPN’s The Undefeated. “I mean, I can’t just point at one thing to be mad at.”
Taken out of context, this can very easily be the source of yet another meme intended to single out Smith as nothing more than a joke in the league. However, reading between the lines, this speaks volumes of the former Sixth Man of the Year’s tenacity and innate ability to overcome whatever challenges life throws at him.
Most recently, Smith’s Game 1 howler in last season’s Finals was undeniably one of his more unforgettable (and unforgivable) in-game blunders. Smith suffered the wrath of the entire basketball world in the aftermath of his temporary lapse of judgement, and a lesser man could have very easily crumbled under all the pressure.
However, Smith appeared to have just dusted it off, and is now ready to move forward. He did not take the mistake for granted, nor did he dismiss it as another run-of-the-mill type of misstep. Instead, he has harnessed all the negativity that was thrown towards his direction to make him a better player and a stronger human being. Now this is J.R. Smith being J.R. Smith.