J.R. Smith calls McGrady's HOF comment 'dumb as hell'
J.R. Smith takes exception to Tracy McGrady's recent declaration that "anybody can win a championship" but not everyone can get into the Hall of Fame.
Smith, who captured a title in 2016 with the Cleveland Cavaliers, took to Twitter on Sunday night to call out McGrady, who's a 2017 Hall of Fame inductee despite never winning a ring during his 15-year pro career.
This man really said "anyone can win a ring but not everyone can make it to the Hall Of Fame?" Soooo no one else thinks that dumb as hell???
— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) July 31, 2017
Swish agreed with a Twitter user who suggested McGrady has it backward, and that the truth is everyone gets enshrined in Springfield, Mass., nowadays.
FACTS!! People who did nothing make the hall!! If it was like MLB ok but Basketball hall a fame you can build a park an get in!! https://t.co/0gEkFoQ7hN
— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) July 31, 2017
The 31-year-old swingman added he's not worried about the Hall, and is instead focused on winning.
So you played for the Hall an not to win. If I was on his team we fighting idc if we don't play no more. Don't waste my time. Not wit hoop!
— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) July 31, 2017
McGrady didn't actually say winning wasn't important to him. The 38-year-old, who made seven All-Star appearances and claimed two scoring titles but was hampered by a multitude injuries throughout his career, said it takes a "great team and some luck" to win it all and bemoaned never experiencing those things in perfect harmony.
Smith has been a little more fortunate in those departments since joining Cleveland in 2015. Behind a Big Three of LeBron James, Kevin Love, and Kyrie Irving, the Cavs have made three consecutive trips to the NBA Finals. Smith hoisted the Larry O'Brien trophy following a 2016 series against the Golden State Warriors that saw superstar Stephen Curry fight through a knee injury and Draymond Green set back by a suspension.
It's also worth noting that Smith's HOF probability sits at zero percent, according to Basketball Reference.
Go figure.