JR Smith, a veteran, has shared a ridiculous but entertaining encounter he had with NBA superstar Michael Jordan. The discussion happened recently when the two got into a fight on the golf course.
As he continued to rule, MJ paid it forward when other players mistreated him. The five-time MVP, though, didn’t hold back while criticizing his rivals.
You had a wonderful career, but it wasn’t a terrific career
Smith never got the opportunity to take verbal blows from Jordan on the basketball floor, but he did have that experience on the golf course. Smith discussed it in an interview with Complex, and this is what he said:
Smith remarked, “He smoked me.” He covertly fired this shot at me. So I placed a winning wager and doubled one of my wagers. Okay, what’s the game, he asked. We’re going to play Nassau, I declared. I said, “Wow, $100 instead of $1,000.” What do you want me to say? That’s wonderful for me. He replied, I know what you mean—a fantastic career, not a great career.
JR Smith has committed to attend North Carolina A&T in 2021 as a student-athlete. The former star of the LA Lakers, New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers has joined the Aggies golf squad.
A few months later, he had the opportunity to compete in sports against his sports hero Michael Jordan at The Grove XXIII, Jordan’s Florida golf facility.
JR Smith remembers playing golf with Michael Jordan
Many former NBA players consider Michael Jordan to be an icon. Many stars considered him to be the best in the world since they watched him dominate basketball like no other player in the sport’s history as they were growing up.
Many superstars who joined the league soon after Jordan retired have remained fascinated by his presence around them to this day.
It was the same a few months ago when JR Smith played golf with his hero. A year after Jordan’s final NBA game, in 2004, Smith made his professional debut.
Interview
JR Smith, one of the NBA’s most exciting and decorated players, couldn’t contain his excitement while playing golf with Michael Jordan.
In an interview, he spoke about the day he had this chance again, stating:
Smith remarked, “I’ve never felt anything so innocent.” Mike, a sis, here. “You, he snatched Jordan’s,” I keep saying as I keep staring at him.