NBA Star Defends Assault: 'This Ain't No Hate Crime'

JR Smith is caught on video attacking an alleged rioter
By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff
Posted May 31, 2020 5:00 PM CDT
Updated Jun 1, 2020 12:03 AM CDT
NBA Star Beats Up Rioter
JR Smith is seen assaulting a man who allegedly broke his car window.   (YouTube/TMXSports)

An NBA star was caught on video beating up a guy who allegedly broke his car window amid LA's "I Can't Breathe" protests, TMZ reports. JR Smith can be seen kicking and punching the white male, who lies defenseless on a residential street. "Can we have some privacy, guys? Come on," says an apparent Smith pal as the camera gets in closer and captures one last shot to the head before the victim runs off. (See the video here. WARNING: violence.) Smith, a free agent who last played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, posted a video giving his side of the assault. "He broke my window," says the 6'6", 225-pounder, per Cavaliers Nation. "This ain't no hate crime." (More protests stories.)

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