J.R. Smith in tears during emotional postgame tribute to father

After winning the NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers, J.R. Smith could not hold back his tears when talking about the importance of his parents' support throughout his life. He gave a moving tribute to his dad during the postgame press conference Sunday, which was Father's Day.

Smith said he has played basketball since the age of 3, and he attributed his love for basketball to his father saying "my dad put the ball in my crib."

When Smith was asked about the importance of sharing his championship moment with his dad on Father's Day, he could no longer hold back his tears.

"My parents, my family, that's the biggest inspiration in my life," he said. "I've been in a lot of dark spots in my life, and if it wasn't for them I wouldn't be able to get out of it."

"My dad is easily one of my biggest inspirations to play this game. To hear people talk bad about me, I know it hurts him, and that's not who I am," he added.

Smith finished by emphasizing how his parents played a key role in his success.

"If it wasn't for them, if it wasn't for the structure and the backbone that I have, I wouldn't be able to mess up and keep coming back and be able to sit in front of you as a world champion," he said.

After the press conference, Smith walked off stage to applause and gave his dad a hug.