Now that J.R. Smith has won an NBA Championship with the Cavs, New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony couldn’t be happier.
Jealousy? Not a chance.
Provide credit where credit’s due. Some NBA superstars, especially a future Basketball Hall of Famer, would be jealous that a former teammate found greener pastures on the other side of him.
Not Carmelo Anthony.
According to Al Iannazzone of Newsday, the New York Knicks fearless leader has nothing but great things to say about J.R. Smith, even now as he soaks in the glory of an NBA title. He even commented on J.R.’s lack of shirt during the post-championship party days:
“I love it,” Anthony said. “I probably would have done the same thing. I know if I win I’m wearing my uniform everywhere. I might have tape on. I might walk around with my tights on. There’s no telling what I’ll do if I win a championship.”
There were always questions surrounding Smith’s maturity, but Melo believes they should be a thing of the past:
“I think it definitely matured him a lot,” he said. “He’s been through so much on the court, off the court, mentally. To see him really find his peace is a great thing.”
Melo will be looking to find his own NBA Championship “inner peace” this upcoming season now that he’s surrounded by legitimate talent.