NBA Finals: J.R. Smith Should Start

The NBA Finals have been a struggle for J.R. Smith and in accordance the Cleveland Cavaliers offense. With Kyrie Irving out, Smith is the Cavs second best offensive weapon. He has been consistent in his inability to create anything during the Finals so far.

In the 4 games Smith has averaged 9 points on 30% shooting from the floor and 25% shooint from deep. Those percentages look even worse when you note that he is taking the second most shots, not including Irving’s one game, behind LeBron James. He is attempting almost 12 shots a game and 7 of those are 3 point attempts. He is also playing 33 minutes a game.

So what can the Cavs do?

Their options to replace Smith, or some of his minutes, are aged Mike Miller and Shawn Marion or rookie Joe Harris. Miller and Marion have gotten limited minutes for most of the season and don’t seem ready to contribute while Harris spent a lot of time in Akron instead of Cleveland. Any one of them might pick up a couple of J.R.’s minutes but none would be a solution to the problem.

So instead, we propose returning J.R. to the Cavs starting lineup. Smith started the Cavs first 4 Playoff games against the Boston Celtics. His ejection in Game 4 led to a 2 game suspension and loss of his starting spot to friend, and former New York Knick teammate, Iman Shumpert. Smith didn’t play particularly great in those 4 starts.

However, during the Regular Season J.R. was an important contributor as a starter. He started 45 of the 46 games he played with the Cavs, coming off the bench only for his first game. He chipped in close to 13 points on 43% shooting from the field and 39% from deep. He averaged about as many shots, 11 from the floor and 7 from behind the arc, but hit at a higher rate.

Yet his NBA Finals contributions have been significantly worse, so why would we start him? The simple answer is the mental game. Smith has a history of struggling due to over thinking and pressurizing situations. Coming off the bench, Smith knows he is expected to be instant offense. Instead of being able to get in the flow of the game slowly, Smith seems overwhelmed by the responsibility.

This has led to a dichotomy of play for Smith. He is either passive, passing the ball around without gaining an advantage, or overly aggressive in trying to create his shot, either at the basket or a 3 ball. His best play comes off of other players. Without Irving, Smith is left to respond to the play of LeBron James. Starting would give Smith a chance to get in a rhythm quickly when LeBron is fresh.

Shumpert on the other hand is not a key offensive cog for the Cavs. He has also struggled offensively for the Cavs in the NBA Finals but his role is as the 4th or 5th option on that end of the floor. His main contribution is on the defensive end. Shumpert has done a great job on Klay Thompson but does not need to start to get into a defensive rhythm. Smith can do a good enough job on defense starting out on Klay.

More from King James Gospel

It also helps that J.R. and Iman seem close from their days in New York. If HC David Blatt decides to make the switch, it seems the players would support each other. It also likely wouldn’t impact their minute totals, just when they get their minutes. Shump has averaged almost 36 minutes and Smith 33 in the Finals so far. That likely wouldn’t change if they flip flopped who was starting.

While J.R. Smith has struggled it is clear that the Cleveland Cavaliers need him if they are to compete in the NBA Finals. Starting him and bringing Iman Shumpert off the bench could only have a positive reaction for the team. Next year, Shumpert is likely to start but that team will also have Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love to balance out the offensive responsibilities. Right now, the Cavs need to insert J.R. into the starting lineup and hope he turns in to J.R. Swish once again.

Do you think J.R. Smith should start for the Cavs tonight in Game 5 of the NBA Finals?

Next: Get Your Delly-Mania Report from Down Under