
USA Today via Reuters
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis celebrates with J.R. Smith after a three point basket against the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter in game five of the Western Conference Finals of the 2020 NBA Playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

USA Today via Reuters
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis celebrates with J.R. Smith after a three point basket against the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter in game five of the Western Conference Finals of the 2020 NBA Playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard has a unique way of celebrating when he wins a championship. As the franchise won its 17th title last season, J. R. Smith couldn’t contain his excitement. Even before the buzzer echoed, he was shirtless, and all set to party! But not just him, in the post-game, Kyle Kuzma, Alex Caruso, and Dwight Howard followed Smith’s lead.
However, this is not the first time we have seen Smith shirtless, and it might not be the last.
With 15 seconds still left in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, Smith’s jersey was already missing and he was walking around bare-chested, ready for celebrations to start. Smith signed with the Lakers to replace Avery Bradley, who didn’t play in the Bubble.
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He appeared in only 10 of the 21 games the Lakers played in the playoffs, and played none after Game 2 against the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals. Although his performance was inadequate, that didn’t stop him from being ecstatic for winning the second title of his career.
Lakers shooting guard, the epitome of celebrations?
Recently on ‘Inside the Green Room with Danny Green’, Green emphasized that Smith is the King of celebrations in NBA terms. “Swish is always MVP to me,” Green said during the discussion. “He’ll be on his (Instagram) lives, having everything going up. There are a couple of guys who get after it (like he does). He was ready to go! He’s always my MVP of celebrations.”
https://t.co/dHN6oWhkEv pic.twitter.com/Dq23qCnzL3
— Danny Green (@DGreen_14) November 2, 2020
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These comments are not based only on Smith’s antics last season. We can’t ever forget Smith’s shirtless phase back when he won his first title with the Cleveland Cavaliers, four years ago. After defeating the Golden State Warriors, Smith was consistently seen shirtless at various events in 2016, whether it was the team’s celebrations in Las Vegas, the plane’s landing in Cleveland after clinching the title, or the parade.
That's JR Smith – still shirtless – #Cavs parade pic.twitter.com/KWapk3VQ6Y
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) June 22, 2016
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Well, if the Lakers go for a repeat, history might repeat itself and we might see a shirtless JR sighting once again. But the real question is, will this next joyous occasion take place soon? Or will we have to wait another decade?
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