The NBA Playoffs are all-consuming for many fans of the league and it is easy to see why. While this year’s results have not always been particularly gripping, the great majority of the focus has been on the court as the best of the best square off with an eye toward what many expect will be an NBA Finals matchup between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers. With that said, it is often vital to be reminded of what NBA players deal with off the court.
J.R. Smith and his wife, Jewel, experienced a scary situation earlier this year in which their daughter was born five months premature while weighing only one pound. In the weeks and months since that news came to light, Smith offered a view into his heart by sharing a photo of his daughter and the basketball world sent well wishes as a result.
Now, though, Smith used social media to announce a fantastic breakthrough: his daughter, Dakota, has left the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is heading home.
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Smith’s announcement that Dakota was able leave the NICU in favor of their home is a fantastic one. It is wild to consider that, hours later, the talented swingman would be taking the floor for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics. Still, it is much more important to consider what took place off the court earlier in the day and it is only appropriate to wish the best for father, mother and daughter at this time.
