It became clear soon after the Cleveland Cavaliers won their first NBA championship that this would be the Summer of J.R. Smith. The veteran Cavs forward is known to possess one of the NBA’s more fascinating and entertaining personalities, and it didn’t take long for that personality to surface in the wake of winning the title.
First, Smith broke down in tears during his postgame press conference. Then the partying began. And oh boy, did he ever party. Smith was the MVP of the team’s celebration in Vegas, then emerged from the Cavs’ charter in Cleveland without a shirt or a care in the world.
With that in mind, we had an idea of what to expect heading into Wednesday’s celebratory parade through the streets of Cleveland. Fortunately, he made sure not to disappoint.
OK, now he's shirtless. A fan just yelled: "Never put on a shirt again!" pic.twitter.com/1YFbFlY6CG
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) June 22, 2016
J.R. Smith now shirtless with cigar in hand. #cavsparade pic.twitter.com/gqicKGFfrJ
— Marla Ridenour (@MRidenourABJ) June 22, 2016
“Now he’s shirtless” implies that Smith has put a shirt on since the initial celebration, which would be hard to believe.
Swish & Larry. 🏆 #OneForTheLand pic.twitter.com/XZM1sTltKp
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) June 22, 2016
JR SMITH. @sportingnews pic.twitter.com/SedTRoT4t1
— Sean Gentille (@seangentille) June 22, 2016
Had 2 grab a selfie also with @TheRealJRSmith pic.twitter.com/0mnPw7eSZM
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) June 22, 2016
Someone needs to make a T-shirt that allows you to look like JR shirtless #tattoobodysleeve pic.twitter.com/tgUqbv3UCT
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) June 22, 2016
J.R. Smith for president pic.twitter.com/I2A9SPF6Gu
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) June 22, 2016
Smith’s commitment to shirtlessness was so inspiring that his teammates had no choice but to join him.
🚨 SHIRTLESS CAVS WATCH 🚨
J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert and Mo Williams so far pic.twitter.com/ysqGnGuf71— HuffPost Sports (@HuffPostSports) June 22, 2016
DRINK IT IN, KYRIE. The day is yours. #CavsParade #ALLin216 pic.twitter.com/fkURvbmllq
— The Association on FOX (@TheAssociation) June 22, 2016
Everyone laughed and got mad at J.R. Smith for trying to fund his own reality show during the Finals. Now look where we are. We can’t get enough. And we will continue to update you on all the J.R. Smith shirtless news throughout the day.
UPDATE 1: Yup. Still shirtless.
UPDATE 2: J.R. Smith is still shirtless, and now he is standing on top of a moving car surrounded by a sea of humans.
I enjoyed J.R. Smith surfing on top of a car like Teen Wolf. pic.twitter.com/IzRHpAbgpO
— Dan Devine (@YourManDevine) June 22, 2016
UPDATE 3: J.R. Smith is still shirtless, and possibly contemplating a run for office.
https://twitter.com/Shaqtin_A_Fool/status/745673562623721472
UPDATE 4: At least someone is asking the important questions to J.R. Smith, who is still shirtless.
UPDATE 5: Shirtless J.R. Smith just Lion King‘d a kid. Everything the light touches is lit.
J.R. Smith just did the "Circle of Life" from The Lion King #Cavs #cavsparade #NBA https://t.co/qsCuaSiqee
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) June 22, 2016
UPDATE 6: J.R. Smith is still shirtless, and confirms that he’s been that way for a while.
.@TheRealJRSmith Said he took his shirt off after Game 7 and hasn't put a shirt back on since. pic.twitter.com/4iEc5uskZd
— fox8news (@fox8news) June 22, 2016
UPDATE 7: Still shirtless, J.R. Smith is enjoying his surroundings.
.@TheRealJRSmith's parade speech was classic 😂 #WaitOnIt pic.twitter.com/u50vidUjyo
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 22, 2016