When one talks about successful reclamation projects in basketball careers, Dennis Rodman‘s resurgence in Chicago deserves special mention. After a disappointing stint at the Spurs, the former Pistons star was more or less written off as a has-been.
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However, a trade to the Bulls followed, and Rodman silenced his critics in a resounding fashion. The Worm became a key contributor to Phil Jackson‘s team and was part of the second three-peat.
Dennis Rodman’s relationship with Michael Jordan was also lauded as a reason for their mutual success. Despite being labeled as difficult people to deal with, the duo co-existed successfully.
Jordan’s influence in Rodman’s career revival became an example to stars leading championship rosters. And around two decades later, one of the stars labeled as the “Next Jordan” had a similar experience with a teammate. Legendary announcer Marv Albert did not miss out on bringing the comparison back.
Which duo from the 2010s did Albert compare to Rodman and Jordan?
The comparison was simple and had nothing to do with play styles or roles. It was merely about which star played the Jordan to another’s Rodman and helped revitalize a career on a downward spiral.
Albert used this gist to describe what was brewing in Cleveland involving LeBron James and J R Smith. After a spell in China and an inefficient spell in New York, Smith was pretty much on his way to the fringes of the league. Temparament-wise too, Smith wasn’t held at great light amongst league executives.
It was at this point of his career that a move to LeBron James’ Cavaliers followed. Smith bought into his 3 and D wing role quietly and delivered some solid performances as a Cavalier.
Smith shot a brilliant 42.9% on threes in the 2016 championship run, completing his personal redemption arc. LeBron had a trusted lieutenant in JR to keep the scoreboard ticking on most nights.
And Albert picked the moment to bring back Jordan-Rodman comparisons. “There are players like LeBron who had (a) great influence on players who have had, let’s say, murky pasts. Michael Jordan is the same way. When Rodman was brought to Chicago, that worked out pretty well, despite some things going on off the court that (was) were a little bit different. On the court, he played as hard as anyone in the league. That’s the influence of Michael. LeBron is such a strong influence in a good way on the team. It’s respect for how good they are and not wanting to disappoint” elaborated Albert on why he believed there was scope for comparison.
Albert was quick to point out the differences between LeBron’s and Jordan’s approaches. The announcer spoke about how James was the more vocal leader in comparison to the more reserved approach adopted by MJ.
There is no discussion surrounding either of these legends that inevitably leads to fingers pointing at one another. And this merely adds to the legend surrounding these two era-defining talents.
Did J R Smith’s rejuvenation extend beyond LeBron’s stay at Cleveland?
Shortly after the championship run, Smith saw a reduction in his role. While this was age-related, it also marked the final stage of J R’s NBA career.
2018 saw Smith becoming the laughingstock of the NBA community after his “iconic” miscalculation during the NBA Finals. With the game tied, rather than gunning for a winner in possession, J R ran the clock out. This gave birth to an iconic meme and gained worldwide infamy.
LeBron left the Cavaliers and joined the Lakers subsequently. Smith played the part of a tidy veteran at LA too after joining up with the team in the NBA bubble. Another ring, therefore, came to Smith’s possession after James’ heroics in the bubble.
The former Nuggets and Knicks guard has seen a resurgence elsewhere, however. Post-2020, Smith has endeared himself to the public as a student-athlete.
J R enrolled at North Carolina A&T State University and joined their golf team. Smith has even earned a 4.0 CGPA and was awarded the Academic Athlete of the Year honor. The second reclamation of his career, if one might say.
Also read: ‘LeBron James can get really pissed’- JR Smith explains what Lakers star demands in the playoffs
