Picture this: It’s Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals. The clock is ticking down, and J.R. Smith grabs a crucial rebound with the score tied. Instead of shooting, he dribbles out the clock, seemingly unaware of the time. LeBron James stares at him in disbelief, and the internet explodes. That moment cemented J.R. as a lovable enigma, but it makes you wonder—how many rings does this guy actually have?
Spoiler alert: He has two NBA championships. Yes, the same guy who once threw a bowl of soup at an assistant coach (welcome to the Knicks) has two rings. It’s a weird universe we live in, right? Let’s break down how this happened, because the story is pure J.R.
Ring Number One: The Cleveland Cavaliers (2016)
This is the big one—the historic 3-1 comeback against the Golden State Warriors. J.R. was a key piece off the bench for LeBron and Kyrie Irving. He wasn’t a star, but he was a spark plug, hitting timely threes and providing chaotic energy.
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Remember the parade? J.R. was shirtless, holding a cigar, and dancing like a man who just won the lottery. Which, basically, he did. He averaged about 12 points per game in those Finals, but his true value was as a space-creator on offense.
What’s ironic? That “blunder” in 2018 is often what people remember, but without him in 2016, the Cavs might not have pulled off the upset. He was a wild card that actually worked in their favor that year.
Jr Smith Iphone Wallpaper
Ring Number Two: The Los Angeles Lakers (2020)
Fast forward to the bubble in Orlando. J.R. signed with the Lakers in 2020 after Avery Bradley opted out. He was, let’s be honest, a bonus player—a veteran locker room guy. He played just 18 minutes total in the entire postseason.
But hey, a ring is a ring. When the Lakers beat the Miami Heat, J.R. was there, sitting on the bench in a face mask, yelling encouragement. He even got a special moment in Game 6, hitting a three-pointer in garbage time. Classic J.R.
That gives him two rings in two different franchises. Not bad for a guy who once famously “didn’t know the score.” He has the same number of rings as Kevin Durant (at the time of writing) and one more than Charles Barkley. Let that sink in.
J R Smith
Wait, Does He Have a Third?
Here’s the tricky part. Some people mistakenly think J.R. won a ring with the Denver Nuggets or the New York Knicks. Nope. Those years were pure popcorn—good teams, but no rings. He was a sixth man in Denver and a wearing-a-tuxedo-to-the-game meme in New York.
Also, he was briefly on the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in China. No championship there either, though he did drop 60 points in a game. Just J.R. things.
So the official count is two—Cavs 2016, Lakers 2020. Unless you count his high school state championship? Let’s not go there.
Magic Johnson, Dion Waiters and JR Smith show off NBA championship
Why Does This Matter (More Than You Think)?
J.R. Smith is the ultimate journeyman with a legacy. He’s not a Hall of Famer, but he’s a two-time champion who outlasted many “better” players. His story is a reminder that basketball isn’t just about talent—it’s about opportunity and timing.
Think about it: He was almost out of the league in 2015, then LeBron called. He was a free agent in 2020, then LeBron called again. If you’re a role player, having LeBron on your side is like having a cheat code for rings. No shade, just facts.
So next time you see that “J.R. Smith forgot the score” video, remember—he’s laughing all the way to the ring count. Two rings, zero regrets, and one of the most bizarre careers in NBA history.
Cavs' JR Smith gives away his Championship ring
Final Thought: The Measure of a Player
Does J.R. deserve his rings? That’s a silly question. He earned them by being exactly what his teams needed—a skilled, unhinged, and fearless shooter. He didn’t win them alone, but he was part of the machinery.
And let’s be real, half the players in the league would trade their All-Star appearances for his hardware. He’s got two. He’s got more rings than Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, and Allen Iverson combined. Read that again slowly.
So how many rings does J.R. Smith have? Two. And if you ask him, he’ll probably tell you it’s “eight or nine,” then flash that goofy grin. That’s just J.R. being J.R.—and honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way.