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JR Smith NBA Champion on being depressed 70% of his career, winning with LeBron and Knicks|The Pivot

2026-06-16 Sports
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Pivot Family! hit the button to SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUnxiP7q4RDDyeioZFZLnXA?sub_confirmation=1 “16 years in the NBA and 70% of my career, I played depressed. “-JR Smith In this episode of The Pivot Podcast, former NBA champion and basketball icon JR Smith sits down for one of his most candid conversations yet. From his rise as a high school phenom to a 16-year NBA career, JR reflects on the highs, lows, and lessons that shaped his journey. He opens up about playing on the biggest stage alongside LeBron James, competing in multiple NBA Finals, and what it meant to win an NBA Championship. Beyond the highlights and headlines, JR shares the personal battles he faced with mental health, the pressure of fame, and navigating life under constant public scrutiny. JR also revisits one of the most questionable and talked about moments of his career—the infamous NBA Finals play that became a defining headline of his legacy—sharing what was going through his mind, how he handled the backlash, and the lessons he learned from a mistake that nearly altered basketball history. JR also discusses some of the darkest moments of his life, including time spent in jail, the devastating loss of a close friend, and how those experiences changed his perspective forever. He speaks honestly about fatherhood, the challenges and rewards of parenting, and the responsibility of being a role model for his family. Now in a new chapter of life, JR reflects on personal growth, finding purpose beyond basketball, and the mindset that continues to drive him forward. This is a raw, honest, and inspiring conversation about resilience, redemption, and discovering who you are when the game is no longer the center of your world. Don't miss this powerful episode of The Pivot with JR Smith. GET MERCH HERE: https://www.pivotpodcast.com FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://facebook.com/thepivotpodcast SPOTIFY | https://open.spotify.com/show/5KtXTWiC3J5WW1CVTpYG5V APPLE PODCASTS | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-pivot-podcast/id1603292451 #ThePivot #Podcast #RyanClark #ChanningCrowder #FredTaylor #NFL

Top Comments (10)

@Budpedia 2026-06-16

I completely see JR in a different light! He is an overall great dude. Pivot Podcast is top notch..

262 6 replies
@PAMMIEC09 2026-06-16

I worked with depression for over 15 years. Medication made it tolerable but I was glad I was able to retire. Once retired, I was able to get off the meds. People don't understand us. From the outside, things look great and they aren't. I pray for this young man that he can find peace.

224 7 replies
@malcolm_x_nephew 2026-06-16

I love JR. I was a mailman on the upper west side of Manhattan. I was on my lunch break with my friend and JR came walking down the block. JR was bouncing a ball with the Knicks clothing on and he just got off the train. JR walked up to me, dapped me up, embraced me, ask was I good and walked off. My friend didn't follow sports and asked "was that tall mofo from your hood?". I was like HELL NAH THATS JR SMITH 🔥🔥🔥🔥. 100% facts

178 1 replies
@madboyreadynow28 2026-06-16

Loosing grandmama is the one that always hurts the most.

164 6 replies
@gloriaware2656 2026-06-16

I really love you Fred, Ryan and Channing. The respect and silence you give your guest when they show emotions. ❤

151 2 replies
@abdielbenisrael8906 2026-06-16

I wasn't expecting this kind of interview especially with the raw emotion but it was much needed. Thank you JR for opening up and always much love to the Pivot and boy what a great one at that regarding this interview.

88 1 replies
@D_A_Marv 2026-06-16

12:09 this right here??? This is all why I respect you guys. You allowed him to slowly gather himself without any interruption. JR, I cried with you. Excellent interview as always!

80 1 replies
@fredo1970 2026-06-16

Ngl,now that he explains it, he’s completely right on that play😂😂😂he got ALOTTTTTTT of heat for that

65 2 replies
@1WorldWideWes 2026-06-16

The grandma is gonna do it everytime

53 1 replies
@JackieinFL 2026-06-16

10 yrs ago I watched this man play his heart out for the Cavs. He should be so proud of all he’s done since then ❤️

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