J.R. Smith Was Lost After the NBA. Golf Became His Guide.

“I always wanted to learn about my heritage, learn where I came from, learn more about Black people,” Smith said. “It really turned into self-love, learning more about myself. That’s really what catapulted me back into therapy, to try to understand, and try to really master myself, and master my mind.”

‘Get Away From the Chaos’

Smith teed off, his golf ball hissing as it cut through the air. The ball hooked left. He grimaced.

“On the court, I know what to rely on,” he said quietly. “Out here, I don’t know what to rely on.”

It was a cloudless, brisk day, and he was with a longtime friend, C.J. Paul, the brother of Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, and a few other people. Smith got into golf after Moses Malone, the Hall of Fame center, encouraged him to pick up a club at a pro-am event in Houston. On his first try, Smith drove the ball around 300 yards, but he could not do it again. The contradiction fascinated him.

“It gives me something else to focus on other than my life,” Smith said. “It gives you lessons at the same time. For me, any time I get away from the chaos a little bit, that’s what it’s all about.”

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/09/sports/basketball/jr-smith-golf.html