Former Lakers star J.R. Smith recently spoke on “The Old Man & the Three” podcast about the 2015 NBA Finals matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers. In particular, Smith talked about the Cavaliers’ Matthew Dellavedova and the extreme effort he put forth in guarding Warriors superstar Stephen Curry.
“Delly almost died guarding Steph Curry. No, literally, almost died,” said Smith on the podcast. “We have footage of this man in the ice tub, like literally to his neck trying to guard this man.”
Smith went on to praise Dellavedova, saying that he gave everything he had to try and contain Curry.
“He tried. From watching that, Dellavedova is by far one of my greatest people I like of all time,” said Smith. “He literally gave everything he had, and there was no excuse. There wasn’t a, like, ‘Oh, he had it going,’ like, ‘I’m trying.’ No, no, no, no, it wasn’t none of that. He could barely talk after. That’s how hard he was trying.”
Smith wasn’t the only player on the podcast to speak about Dellavedova’s effort. JJ Redick also chimed in, mentioning a Dellavedova montage video that recently popped up on his Twitter feed.
“F***, he tried,” said Redick.
How Stephen Curry carried his team VS the Cavaliers?
Curry played like the superstar that he is in that series, averaging 26.0 points and 6.3 assists per game while knocking down 38.5% of his shots from 3-point range. Dellavedova, who was one of the NBA’s better role players at the time, was tasked with guarding Curry for much of the series.
Despite Dellavedova’s efforts, the Warriors went on to win the championship in six games. Curry and the Warriors will look to win another championship this season, although they will have to do so as the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. They will face off against the Sacramento Kings in the first round.
The respect for Curry’s abilities is universal, and Dellavedova’s extreme effort to try and contain him is a testament to that.
“Redefined: J.R. Smith” Docuseries Chronicles NBA Star’s Unconventional Career Path
Former NBA player J.R. Smith’s unconventional journey to success is the subject of the new four-episode documentary series, “Redefined: J.R. Smith,” now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. The series, directed by Philip Knowlton and co-produced by LeBron James, charts Smith’s rise from high school straight to the NBA, and the surprising turn his career took when he found himself without a team to play for.
In a bold move, Smith enrolled at North Carolina A&T State University and became a member of their golf team, a decision that is documented in the series. “Redefined” follows Smith’s college experience and how it allowed him to redefine himself both on and off the court. The series also features interviews with Richard Watkins, Diego Gonzalez, and other actors, who offer insights into Smith’s unconventional career path.
Smith’s story is not only one of resilience but also of the importance of education and personal growth. By pursuing a college degree and exploring new opportunities in life, Smith showed that it’s never too late to redefine oneself and pursue new goals. “Redefined: J.R. Smith” is a testament to the power of determination and self-discovery in the face of adversity.
