Game 1 of the NBA Finals ended with an unlikely twist, when J.R. Smith’s gaffe at the end of regulation cost the Cleveland Cavaliers a likely bucket and instead sent the game to overtime, where the Cavs would eventually lose. Although he secured an offensive rebound right underneath the basket with seconds to go, Smith inexplicably dribbled the ball out instead of going up with a shot.
The Internet has speculated, and aggressively joked, that Smith forgot the score of the game and thought to dribble out the clock for a win. For his part, Smith denies this and claims that he expected his coach to call a timeout.
When LeBron James was asked to weigh in on what was going through Smith’s mind at the time, he couldn’t say. When he was asked again, and again, and again, variations of the same questions from the same reporter in quick succession, well, his reaction was only natural:
“Be better tomorrow,” says LeBron to the reporter as he abruptly walked out of the presser. It’s hard to blame him, too. After a game like that, he had every right to be frustrated, and patiently responded to the reporter’s question even as the reporter continued to repeat it.
Let’s just say, though, that suit shorts -- while certainly fashion-forward -- don’t really do a great job of capturing the mood while storming off the podium.
