“Redefined: J.R. Smith” is the latest four-episode documentary series directed by Philip Knowlton and produced by NBA superstars Lebron James and Maverick Carter. The documentary series delves into the life of two-time NBA champion J.R. Smith, who decided to leave the NBA and go back to college to complete his education while trying to transition into a professional golf player. The miniseries is an engrossing account of Smith’s extraordinary transition as he overcomes assumptions and forges a brighter tomorrow for himself. It exemplifies his steely will and commitment to prove to himself that he’s far more than the aggregate of his failures.
Spoilers Ahead
A Bold Move And The Events Leading Up To The Decision
J.R. Smith was one of the best players to ever be drafted in the NBA, hailed for being an out-of-the-box player and barely missing a shot. Everyone, ranging from sports journalists to ardent basketball fans, used to sing his praises. J.R. Smith was forced into involuntary retirement due to the NBA lockout. J.R. Smith was given a five-game suspension after being found guilty of using the performance-enhancing drug Dembia. At the time of his revocation, Smith was a fringe player with no NBA club.
J.R. Smith, on the other hand, wasn’t the kind to let a single misstep define him and decided to transition into another major sport, golf. Smith decided to go back to school and enrolled at North Carolina A&T to get an arts degree, all the while hoping to join the university’s golf team. Smith also asked the NCAA to let him play golf. After being suspended for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy, J.R. Smith found himself at a crossroads in his career. He knew that rebuilding his reputation and transitioning to a new sport, golf would be a daunting task. Despite his success as a basketball player, Smith understood that golf presented a unique set of challenges that he would need to overcome. During the peak of his career, Smith was known for his incredible shooting prowess, but the same skills would not necessarily translate to golf. Nevertheless, Smith was determined to redefine himself and make a successful transition to his newfound passion. Smith enrolled in the HBCU to show his community how important and pivotal it is to get an education. HBCU, an acronym for “Historically Black College and Universities,” was one of the most prestigious institutions in the country and was founded so that colored minorities could have a fair chance at education.
J.R. Smith had a relatively short yet impressive career in the world of basketball, having been recruited by the NBA at the age of 19. His early love for the sport began when he was only 8 years old, and as he continued to hone his skills, he aimed to emulate the legendary figures of the game, such as Michael Jordan, Reggie Miller, and Isaiah Thomas. Smith’s fervor for basketball propelled his ambition to achieve greatness on the court, and his unwavering dedication and hard work eventually led to his successful entry into the professional leagues. Smith’s impressive dunks in the McDonald’s game rendered him a household name in the NBA, and soon, every agent in the industry wanted to represent J.R. Smith. J.R. Smith played for some of the major names in the league, including the Bulls, the Kicks, the Lakers, and more.
Regrettably, the stress and demands of the game took a toll on him, causing his performance to decline. It’s shocking to see the toll that fame and wealth can have on someone who hasn’t yet reached their mid-20s. Smith’s reputation and career were damaged even more by his repeated arrests, and he was put on NBA lockout, going 600+ days without playing a single game. Smith finally made a bold decision to leave the NBA, resume his education, and transition to a new sport. However, the journey wasn’t as easy as it looked on paper, as Smith had a learning disability that often made him lose focus and concentration, but he was adamant about turning his life around. Not long after, Smith was also cleared by the NCAA to transition his career to golf. Smith was also approached by Coach Watkins, who acknowledged his desire to play and decided to take him under his wing. On the other hand, Smith was also determined and focused on getting his liberal arts degree to make his parents and kids proud.
The Life On Campus
Smith’s educational journey was not without its struggles, as he faced challenges stemming from his dyslexia and ADHD. However, he refused to let his academic difficulties hold him back and was determined to achieve success in his studies. Smith also enlisted the help of a personal tutor to help him with his homework and papers. However, Smith was making great strides in other places. He was the oldest person on the team, with little to no experience in playing professional basketball. As noted by Smith’s fellow players, he never let his celebrity or wealth get in the way of being a team player. Instead, he stayed true to himself and remained down-to-earth, always appreciative of the chance to be a part of the team. He never took advantage of his status for his own benefit and was always eager to give his best on the field. While studying at AT&T, Smith formed a close bond with Xavier, a fellow golfer who had a passion for golf from a young age. Similar to Smith’s journey in basketball, Xavier dedicated himself to the sport and even earned a college scholarship through his golfing skills. Smith and Xavier’s shared love for athletics and their hard-working attitudes brought them together as good friends. The golf team also included Diego Gonzalez from Venezuela, who had also earned a scholarship owing to his athletic prowess. Anthony Ford was also part of the team and started swinging clubs when he was 7. J.R. Smith was making strides for the team, earning both his teammates and coach’s appreciation. Smith never let his fame and notoriety get in the way of his learning and was always serious about learning the nitty-gritty of the game. To Smith, nothing could compare to the camaraderie and the positive environment that came with being part of a team. He missed the feeling of having people by his side who genuinely supported him and didn’t judge him for any past mistakes or shortcomings. His time at NCA&T also allowed him to attend the university’s homecoming ceremony, which is also considered one of the most prestigious events.
Soon Smith was met with his first qualifier for the golf team, and he was adamant about clearing the tryout. However, the game demands focus and perseverance and is different from performing in front of 25,000 people in an arena. Unfortunately, Smith failed to clear the first tryout, making him realize that he still has a long way to go. Even through all the hardships, Smith was determined to become someone his teammates could look up. Likewise, his teammates thought of him as a big brother, someone they could go to discuss their problems and shortcomings with. Smith’s ability to maintain a healthy academic and sports schedule is very inspiring. His perseverance and dedication in both domains speak volumes about who he is and may serve as an example to others. It takes a lot of labor and self-control to be successful in two professions at once, but Smith has reaped the rewards of his labor.
‘Redefined: J.R. Smith’ Ending Explained: Was J.R. Smith True To His Promises?
Smith has spent his whole formative years honing his skills in basketball but has yet to do the same in golf. Smith, who was already a decent golfer, saw the need to improve if he planned to compete at the professional level. Smith came from a standpoint where he had tried to learn from the best of the best, from the highest of the highs, and even had some of the many professional golfers like DJ Tony Finau and Justin Thomas on speed dial. Smith felt that what better way to up his game than to spend time and play against professional players? So, Smith soon hired B.J. Szafran as his private golf instructor to help turn his decent golfing skills into those of a professional player. Unlike Smith, his institution lacked the resources and budget that he had. In reality, there has always been a funding issue with historically black colleges, and while the other university students were enjoying the nice, shiny things and equipment, Smith and his teammates were forced to take an Enterprise passenger van to ride to the game. AC&T didn’t generate any revenue from people coming to the golf course to watch their games and didn’t have the same budget as basketball and other sports do. However, Smith’s notoriety helped his squad in other ways. Because of his notoriety and connections, he was able to get certain things done and get some attention that otherwise could not have happened. Smith was approached by Michael Barbuti, the Sr. manager of Taylor Made, who offered to sponsor his team and equip them with their state-of-the-art equipment and golfing kits. Smith left no stone unturned in getting his team as much technology as possible so they could be on the same level as their competitors.
Smith’s hard work finally paid off, and he managed to qualify for the 6th Annual Phonix Invitational and even got stung by hornets in the process. Following Smith’s first tournament, the men’s golf team begins to struggle, causing concern among the players. The team began struggling with discipline and structure, leading Diego and others to lose their luster. Smith organized a team meeting with the players, coaches, and athletic directors for an internal discussion. This is a strong indication of Smith’s dedication to his own and his colleagues’ professional success. Smith also managed to get his GPA up to 4.0, as he promised his fans and instructors. This was a major win for Smith, as he was often mocked and ridiculed because of his learning disabilities. Even after becoming a two-time NBA champion, Smith always felt inferior in comparison to them. Smith’s motivation was not to prove himself to others but rather to prove to himself that he could move beyond his mistakes and achieve success. He had an optimistic outlook on life and set out to achieve his goals with unyielding passion and dedication to hard work.
Smith had a rough past but turned his life around through diligence and perseverance. He started off by defining clear goals for himself and then working steadily toward them. Smith had the good sense to surround himself with supportive people and ask for help from his family and friends. He adopted a more optimistic outlook by concentrating on the present rather than the past. Smith was persevering and compassionate, understanding that progress requires time and work. Through hard work and dedication, he has achieved and is continuing to make significant improvements in their lifestyle and build a better tomorrow for himself as well as his family He adopted a more optimistic outlook by concentrating on the present rather than the past. Smith proved that as long as you have the will and discipline to fight, you’ll always be a true champion. Smith’s time at AC&T turned his life around and taught him things he’ll cherish for the rest of his life.