When they all returned, Smith was greeted with smiles and daps. Smith talked to the players about his new movie,
Emancipation. He talked about overcoming adversity. He cracked some jokes at the team’s expense. Then he opened the floor for questions.
LeBron was first. He had a question, he said. Smith answered. Then LeBron had another question. And another after that and another after that and another after that. On and on he went, stretching what was supposed to be a 30-minute session into nearly an hour.
“The same guy who was trying to leave is now quoting back movie lines and going through the guy’s whole life story,” one attendee recalled thinking. Seated in the third row, picking at a bowl of fruit, Westbrook watched in disbelief, shaking his head and rolling his eyes every time LeBron spoke.
I hate that fake shyt, Westbrook said to a teammate afterward, as the Lakers gathered for a team photo. I just can’t do it.
The next afternoon, the Lakers posted the picture on social media.
Standing among Lakers players, coaches, and Pelinka was Smith, holding up a custom jersey. There, standing a few feet to Smith’s right, was Westbrook, his face twisted into a scowl.
