J.R. Smith released a children’s book on Tuesday

Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard J.R. Smith released a children’s book on Tuesday.

According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard J.R. Smith and his younger brother Chris released a children’s book on Tuesday titled “HoopsSmiths: J.R. and Chris Learn Teamwork.” A portion of the book proceeds will go to the J.R. Smith Youth Foundation.

That the book’s theme’s teamwork and togetherness, as the story focuses on the two brother’s growing up together and helping each other succeed at basketball, is perfect for a children’s book.

It’s also perfect for the Smith brothers.

The first time that Chris was likely known on a national level was in 2013, when the New York Knicks (J.R’s previous team) signed him to their Summer League roster and then to their regular season roster despite a poor showing on their SL squad.

The New York Post’s Marc Berman would report that the Knicks paid $2 million (including taxes) to keep Chris on the roster in the 2013-2014 season and that J.R.’s presence in New York was a major factor and why the team was hesitant to cut him.

In fact, according to Berman, the NBA was already having discussions about whether or not J.R. and Chris were a “package deal” with the Knicks attempting to appease J.R. and convince the reigning Sixth Man of the Year to re-sign.

When Chris was cut in December, J.R. would feel a sense of betrayal (per Sports Illustrated’s Ben Golliver) and start acting out on the court just a week later.

He even went as far as to untie opposing players’ shoes during the middle of the game, on multiple occasions, despite clear instruction not to.

J.R. was traded to the Cavs the next season.

Now, Chris is the one sticking up for his brother. In the middle of the 2017-2018 season, Chris even defended his brother’s “bad boy” image in New York, saying J.R.’s affinity for the nightlife was mischaracterized.

So, as you can see, even as adults J.R. and Chris work together to help each other succeed on the court.

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Chris last played professionally in 2017-2018, appearing in two games for the BSL’s Ironi Nahariya. He’s been making his rounds overseas ever since being cut by the Knicks.

J.R., as many know, has been coming off of a tough two-year stretch with his play affected by injuries and off-court concerns (like his wife, Jewel, having a daughter prematurely).

J.R’s now in a position of having to redeem himself after a brain cramp in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals, forgetting the score in the waning seconds of a tied game, has been seen as the catalyst for their eventual Finals defeat and LeBron James’ immediate departure.

Don’t expect Chris to be too far from the action as J.R. embarks in what could be their last season in Cleveland, though.

As they’ve shown throughout the course  of their careers, they have each other’s back.