J.R. Smith won four of the 21 games he played for the Knicks this year. Since he went to Cleveland, he’s won seven of 11 and is—gasp—a happy man.
But it’s not the winning that’s turned J.R.’s mood around. No, it’s the lack of a social life.
“I think this is the best situation for me, ’cause there’s nothing but basketball,” he told NBA.com’s David Aldridge. “There’s nothing you expect but basketball. There’s nothing, there’s no going out, there’s no late nights. There’s video games, basketball and basketball.”
Smith says that the reason for his occasional lack of effort in New York (ha, occasional) had to do with NYC’s rather robust social scene. “It was kind of pulling me down in a sense, of not getting enough rest, not doing things you’re supposed to be doing, things you’re used to doing,” he said. “So when you start missing those shots you’re supposed to make, especially wide-open shots, it was like, all right, what’s going on, what’s going on? Instead of looking at what it is, you’re reverting to that even more, instead of going back to the basics.”
“Back to basics,” meaning not staying out until 5 AM the night before a game. Got it, J.R.
Send all complaints, compliments, and tips to sportstips@complex.com
[via SB Nation]
