There was a time when people badly wished that J.R. Smith acted in a more mature manner. A few years ago, when the mercurial guard was playing for the New York Knicks, his off-court actions made the headlines more often than his on-court talent.

Most infamous of them all was in 2013 when news about Smith’s controversial “pipe” DM was all over the internet.

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Fast forward to today and J.R. Smith has transformed into a much better individual, thanks to a winning environment and a city with less-temptations. In a recent ESPN story by Sam Alipour, the Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard shared his reflections on that incident.

I was very immature and stupid. But I learned from it too: Watch what you say on social media.

Indeed, Smith is now light years away from his young and immature self.

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He has carved himself a niche in the Cavaliers’ scheme of things. He is playing alongside level-headed veterans who knows how to win. But most importantly, he knows that his role is treasured in a team that is trying to achieve something that is way bigger than anything Smith has ever played for, and that is bringing a championship to Northeast Ohio.