Alex Caruso LeBron James
Photo: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

The latest addition to the Los Angels Lakers roster, JR Smith, reunited with LeBron James for the first time since 2018 when the two played together for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Mike Trudell of lakers.com asked Smith to compare James’ leadership style from the Cavaliers days to today.

“More than anything I just think he’s so much more patient in his delivery and how he goes about the process of the game … The pressure is off his shoulders, he can just be him,” the 34-year-old veteran said. “Before, he’s always been so focused on his drive and winning and stuff like that, but I feel like that pressure is off his shoulders, and he can just be him.”