The Cavaliers stopped in Las Vegas after winning Game 7 and the NBA Championship on Sunday, and J.R. Smith actually did start out with a shirt. We wouldn't believe it, necessarily, but there's photographic evidence.
The last known photograph of J.R. Smith with a shirt on. pic.twitter.com/Bacqy9mRpg
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) June 20, 2016
At some point in the night, at an undisclosed time but for reasons you can probably imagine, Smith removed that shirt. As far as we know, he hasn't put one back on since. Here's a timeline.
3:47 a.m. in Vegas
The Cavs have arrived at XS in Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/ntv1IDnYSf
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) June 20, 2016
Sometime in the next 22 minutes, J.R. Smith will take off his shirt and it won't return. We may never know what truly happened.
4:09 a.m.
J.R. Smith, ladies and gentlemen. pic.twitter.com/VILj1X5e35
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) June 20, 2016
Just wait until the missing shirt pops up on eBay.
5:11 a.m.
As Iman Shumpert will tell you sometimes you just have to lose the shirt when your song comes on. pic.twitter.com/riB5IiHOSD
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) June 20, 2016
No one can ever say J.R. Smith's not a team leader after inspiring Shumpert to remove his $160 shirt.
6:41 a.m.
One more time before calling it a night (or morning), the life of the party, J.R. Smith. pic.twitter.com/lv76aqJAq1
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) June 20, 2016
The Cavaliers fly home, and our best guess is Smith's shirt was sadly abandoned in that Las Vegas club. Well, Smith could always find another shirt, perhaps a championship celebration one that was surely passed out. But ...
1:53 p.m. in Cleveland
When you lay pipe for a living shirts are optional pic.twitter.com/JnGeEqJWCQ
— Rob Perez (@World_Wide_Wob) June 20, 2016
... why would he?
2:09 p.m.
JR Smith... just walking around the parking lot... shirtless... #Cleveland pic.twitter.com/pBOpj0ayZw
— Eric Knappenberger (@CavsWITNESS) June 20, 2016
What are the odds Smith used sunscreen before going out? I'm worried for him.
48 hours later
Claims were made that Smith was actually seen wearing a shirt.
The Cavs players just arrived at The Q for the start of the parade and in a shocker of all shockers, J.R. Smith actually has a shirt on
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) June 22, 2016
What's that internet saying? Pics or I don't believe it.
10:41 a.m. in Cleveland
OK, now he's shirtless. A fan just yelled: "Never put on a shirt again!" pic.twitter.com/1YFbFlY6CG
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) June 22, 2016
All is right with the world.
2050
Three decades have passed and Smith still hasn't put on a shirt. A package arrives for Smith at his house, postmarked from Las Vegas. "This might be yours," a note reads, and beneath the packing material is a black shirt, still smelling faintly of Belvedere. It's his shirt, the one he had lost in the club. All the memories from that night come flooding back.
Smith smiles while he tosses the shirt in the trash.
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