Aside from the complete disappearance of the Blue Jackets power play, one of the biggest mysteries so far this season has been the emergence of the New Jersey Devils. Today, we may have found the answer to one of those mysteries.
As it turns out, His Holiness Pope J.R. Smith is a fan of the New Jersey Devils.
It all started thanks to a keen-eyed viewer of LeBron James’ Instagram story. The viewer – likely surprised that Smith was wearing a shirt in the first place – noticed that Smith was decked out in a Jonathan Toews jersey.
Given that cheering for the Blackhawks is an unconscionable offense, they took to Twitter to ask the platform’s greatest user which team has his allegiance. Luckily for the world, he is not a Chicago fan.
Love his game! One of my favorites but Im from NJ so i rep the @NJDevils jerseys is fire https://t.co/iLcLeksSBS
— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) December 6, 2017
It’s no wonder that the Devils have piped it up this season, knowing that they have a living legend in their corner. Their Twitter account certainly appreciated this news. Smelling the whiff of a potential social #influencer, they did exactly what J.R. uses that platform for – they pulled up and shot their shot.
You better believe that Jersey Guy, @TheRealJRSmith rides with #JerseysTeam! https://t.co/hN5ocHiEiA
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) December 7, 2017
Smith still has yet to respond to these overtures, although he has been keen in the past to let these things play out in direct messages.
It's a shame that the Jackets could not secure Smith's fandom – but it's not too late for them to study his game film. They could certainly use his shoot-first mentality on the power play, Hey-oooooooooooo!