J.R. vows to protect King James: 'I'm one of his knights'

When a fight in the stands broke out near LeBron James after Game 2 in Oakland, there was J.R. Smith, instinctively jumping in to shield King James.

That wasn't an accident, as Smith told reporters Tuesday. He said protecting James is one of the reasons he's with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"Yeah, I can't let nobody get close to the King," Smith said. "I'm one of his knights. That's what I'm here for."

The broadcast cut away from the Game 2 incident, but it's evident on tape that Smith made a concerted effort to get between James and the scuffle. He even nudged James out of the way to make sure no stray punches landed anywhere near the best player in the world.

It's no wonder James hand-picked Smith to join the Cavaliers when the inconsistent guard fell out of favor with the New York Knicks. James wanted both the 3-point shooting and the loyalty on his side.