JR Smith Says LeBron James' Leadership Style Has Evolved: He's Now More Patient

JR Smith says LeBron James has become a little softer around the edges over the last five years.

Smith, who played alongside James on the Cleveland Cavaliers from Jan. of 2015 through 2018, says he's noticed a distinct change in the superstar since they were reunited on the Lakers after the team signed him for the resumed NBA season at Walt Disney World near Florida on July 1.

"More than anything, he’s more patient now," Smith said in a video conference call Friday. "I think when he was younger, he had more of a shorter fuse with things, I would say. He lets things roll off his back, roll off his neck pretty easily."

Smith has only been with the Lakers for eight days since the team arrived into the NBA bubble at Walt Disney World on July 9.

But he said he's already seen a different side of James.

"I think he’s more relatable and easier to get along with," Smith said. "Before he was always, he's always been so focused on his drive and winning and stuff like that. But I feel like that pressure...is kind of off his shoulders and he can just be him. He don’t have sit up and try and orchestrate the offense or the defense, or what somebody did wrong. He’ll let the coaches do their job, and I think that’s a true testament to him growing."

Lakers coach Frank Vogel acknowledged that one big advantage in signing Smith after Avery Bradley opted out of the NBA restart was his familiarity with James.

"I know that there’s love and respect there and I think that’s going to be a beneficial thing for us," Vogel said.

James doesn't have much to prove at this stage in his career.

He's widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He went to The Finals eight-straight seasons from 2011-2018, led the Miami Heat to two-straight championships in 2012 and 2013 and the Cavaliers to their first title in 2016. He's a four-time MVP and a three-time Finals MVP.

But despite all he's accomplished, Smith said one thing about James has undeniably remained the same -- his work ethic.

James is trying to lead the Lakers, who are atop the Western Conference with a record of 49-14, to their first championship since 2010. He was playing MVP-caliber basketball before the season was paused March 11, averaging a league-leading 10.6 assists, 25.7 points and 7.9 rebounds a game.

Smith expects him to do anything and everything to realize his goal when the season resumes July 30.

He just might have a slightly different approach this time around.

"If he sees something that he don’t like, of course he’s going to say something," Smith said. "But I think he gives people more of a chance and opportunity to voice their opinion and do their job."