Playing with LeBron James is almost like a language unto itself. Some players can understand it, some take it personally and some players flourish within it. One of the players who saw playing next to LeBron spawn another arc in his career is J.R. Smith, who has once again found himself alongside James for a home stretch towards a championship. And Smith touched on one of the important keys to being able to withstand playing with James: not being afraid to challenge him and simply, just not being afraid of things he might say on the path to a championship, knowing you’ve got the confidence to keep him accountable too.
Smith discussed the importance of not fearing LeBron’s leadership, which can come off abrasive at times, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
“It kind of comes off in the wrong way sometimes,” Smith said of James. “And you need that bridge as a player to be able to go to the next player and be like, ‘Listen man, it’s nothing personal, [don’t get caught up in] who was right, who was wrong.’
“It’s just a good balance, I think, between myself and him, because he knows just as well he can challenge anybody else, I’ll challenge him, and vice versa.”
Smith touches on an important point that several Lakers, who have never played in the postseason with him, which is basically the entire team aside from Smith, must understand. Many of them will not understand how LeBron’s demeanor in the playoffs will change until they see it for themselves. And the LeBron that Danny Green played with back when they were on the Cavaliers together during his early career is not the LeBron he will play with in 2020.
Having Smith is important in the sense that he replaced Avery Bradley on the roster. Giving them another guard and shooter is important. But perhaps just as important, if not more so, is what Smith discussed on Monday. Having Smith as a translator and bridge between the neophytes of the LeBron playoff experience and their leader.
Smith also touched on the way in which players can solidify their role within the team. It starts with players also finding their voices as individuals, being prepared, and not being afraid to challenge their leader to be better as well.
“When you get a person on that level, it’s kind of intimidating for a lot of those people who don’t know how to challenge authority,” Smith said. “But that’s something I’ve never really had a problem with. So talking to him, getting [into] stuff like that, getting into tough conversations with our teammates, I think that’s the biggest thing. Because that’s the only way we grow as men and as a team.”
LeBron is War Ready. Zero Dark 23 is on the way. But being quiet and timid alongside him is never what is asked. For the Lakers to deliver what LeBron and their fans want the most, listening to J.R.’s advice when it comes to handling all the pressure that comes with a push to a championship is the prudent thing for the other Lakers to do.
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