The J.R. Smith Game, explained by J.R. Smith

As only he could tell it.

J.R. Smith was guilty of one of the all-time great NBA goofs in Game 1 when his brain fart on an offensive rebound led to overtime, and an eventual Cavaliers loss.

Between Smith’s screw up and LeBron’s reaction we quickly had a cottage industry a memes trading on the moment.

What followed in the moment’s wake was a weird 24 hours. LeBron clearly didn’t want to talk about what happened, going so far as to walk out of his post-game press conference when pressed on Smith’s state of mind in the moment. Then there was J.R. himself, who was still trying to make sense of it all.

“After thinking about it a lot the last 24 hours or however many since the game was over, I can’t say I was sure of anything at that point. So, no.”

We might not get it, being the observers from the couch unable to understand how Smith didn’t have any clue of the game state at the time, but he did. Perhaps it was the pressure of the moment, or the stress behind an already tense game, but a brain fart happened.

Now he’s left questioning whether he and LeBron are cool.

“I believe so. I haven’t asked him if we’re good. Maybe I should go back and ask him just in case.”

Mistakes happen. J.R. Smith mistakes happen, such is life. At least the Cavs forward is moving forward and trying to do his best to put it all behind him.

“My teammates have been great. Obviously, everybody says it’s not just the one play that is the reason why we lost. I mean, take it however you want it. But my teammates have been great.”

There’s a chance at redemption on Sunday night if Smith becomes the hero, and if anyone made a mistake he’s glad it was him.

It’s tough to become a meme after one game, but J.R. Smith is up to the task of making good on it.