Why J.R. Smith is My Favorite NBA Player

J.R. Smith has long been one of my favorite NBA players. After all, he plays basketball exactly like I do: inordinate amount of three point attempts and vicious dunks all over people. But because of his lack of general discipline on and off the court, people seem to overlook his greatest asset to a NBA game: his showmanship. Usually he flashes up his normal "3" finger hand sign after he nails a shot (sometimes even on two-point shots...), but tonight he busted out his best ones yet against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 of the Western Conference Championship.

In the fourth quarter as the Nuggets were trying to pull away, Nenê hopped into the lane and dropped the ball off to a driving Smith who brought the ball up high before slamming it hard into the hoop. After he landed he started screaming at the exploding crowd while repeatedly smashing his fists into his chest. I'm still unsure why he was not given a technical foul nor how he walked away without a partially collapsed lung.

Notice that other players are running to the other
side of the court, as play had already resumed.

Not to be outdone (by himself), his finale came on his second consecutive three point bucket later in the quarter to essentially ice the game. He brought the "3's" out of his holsters and pranced past Phil Jackson and the Lakers bench. All of us watching burst out laughing, and I wish there was video so you could see how ridiculous this really was; this was hands down the funniest thing I've seen on TV in months. For now, pictures will have to suffice.

Phil Jackson & Laker coaches look on in disgust.

Update 10:42PM I don't usually like to go on YouTube, but someone has come through with video! Notice the people laughing in the background.

What the hell is this man doing?

Update 11:02PM I've just been informed by good friend Jason that ESPN.com has the image above (with Phil Jackson) as their front page story. Classic!

Photos by Getty Images.