Former teammate of LeBron James, J.R. Smith, found himself caught up in the chaotic atmosphere of the protests gripping Los Angeles a few years ago. The basketball star took vigilant action following the protest, with the small forward gaining a lot of media coverage.
The NBA star took to social media to explain what happened and why he was compelled to take that step amidst the protest. Fans had mixed reactions to his actions, with some supporting it as a reasonable course of action.
J.R. Smith explained his street revenge
Amidst the widespread civil unrest fueled by racial tensions, J.R. Smith found himself in a highly charged situation that quickly turned personal. Reports suggest that an unidentified man resorted to vandalizing Smith’s car during the ongoing protests.
Responding with incredible bravery, J.R. Smith confronted the assailant, leading to a physical altercation. Eyewitnesses described a fierce scuffle as Smith unleashed his frustration and anger in defense of his property.
Late in 2020, chaos erupted on the streets of Los Angeles as protesters voiced their grievances, demanding justice and an end to systemic racism. Amidst this charged atmosphere, a man allegedly smashed the car window of J.R. Smith, an NBA player well-known for his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks.
Faced with this violation, Smith quickly took action, confronting the alleged perpetrator and engaging in a physical altercation. Eyewitnesses claim that Smith’s reaction was fueled by a mix of anger, frustration, and a desire to protect his property. While the details surrounding the incident were still emerging, Smith took to social media to address the incident directly.
In his social media post, Smith said, “One of these little MF whiteboys broke my window so I chased him down and whooped his ass.”
In that time when tensions were running high, Smith’s intense reaction reflected the larger atmosphere of unrest and anger that permeated the protests. Some have praised him for standing up for himself, arguing that his reaction was driven by a desire for justice. Others, however, have criticized Smith for resorting to violence instead of seeking peaceful solutions.
Former Cavs man’s $90 million career
Throughout his illustrious basketball career spanning 18 seasons, the former Cavs player has amassed a staggering total earnings of $90,294,854. This journey of financial success started back in 2004 when he joined the New York Knicks and earned a respectable salary of $2,503,680 for the 2004-2006 seasons.
His career took an upward trajectory as he continued to showcase his talent, leading to a significant boost in his earnings. From 2006 to 2011, he donned the Knicks jersey while enjoying a lucrative salary of $20,046,905. Following his stint in New York, he moved on to the Denver Nuggets, securing a salary of $10,288,956 from 2011 to 2014.
The lure of the Knicks proved irresistible, leading him back to the team for the 2014-2015 season, where he earned $5,982,375. However, a brief stopover with the Cleveland Cavaliers saw him earn $533,135 before returning to the Knicks once again for the 2015-2020 seasons, during which he amassed an impressive salary of $47,736,667.
In a surprise move, the former Cavs man joined the LA Lakers for the 2020-2022 seasons, where he earned a noteworthy salary of $2,913,333. However, his reunion with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the same season saw him end his career with a salary of $289,803.
Undoubtedly, the former Cavs man’s consistent performances on the court have resulted in an incredible financial journey, cementing his status as one of the highest-earning players in the league.
