J.R. Smith isn’t going to complain about the influx of talent on the Cleveland Cavaliers lineup this season. In fact, he can’t believe how cheap a player like Derrick Rose came for the Cavaliers.
Smith raved about Rose and fellow new Cavalier Dwyane Wade to reporters on Friday, another sign that everyone in Cleveland is on the right page heading into the new season.
Smith called Rose’s ability on the floor “unbelievable” and pointed out that he joined the team on a pretty meager deal this summer.
“To get D-Rose for what we got him for is just…” Smith said, trailing off. “We still look at it, like, ‘Man I can’t believe we got him for that. We got him for nothing almost.”
Smith is right about one thing: Rose certainly did come cheap. He signed a 1-year deal for $2.1 million back in July.
It continues a trend of Cavs players outright raving about Rose and his potential with the team. LeBron Jame basically quoted Taylor Swift and said he didn’t think he’d play with Rose in his “wildest dreams,” and Smith was equally complimentary.
“What he brings to the team, you guys seen the way he played that first game. He brings that every day in practice. He gets to the basket at will. Creating shots for myself and my teammates. It’s unbelievable.”
Smith also said great things about Wade as well, calling him the “ultimate professional” and said his experience and work ethic has been impressive thus far.
“You can tell how serious he takes the game. Day in and day out,” Smith said. “You gotta appreciate that.”
Smith has said in the past he’s going to let coaches decide how much playing time he gets this year, refusing to get into a “measuring contest” of any sort. And he’s saying all the right things here, which is good. After the summer of conflict the Cavs had, things seem to finally be settling down in Cleveland.
