Few phrases have been as painful for New York Knicks fans to hear this summer than, “Throw-in.” LeBron James joyously reminded the world that J.R. Smith was merely thrown in when New York traded Iman Shumpert to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Smith, of course, played an essential role as a starter on the 2016 NBA champion Cavaliers.
Mere days after James’ now infamous speech, the Knicks traded Jose Calderon, Jerian Grant, and Robin Lopez for Derrick Rose.