J.R. Smith Looks To Lock In Against DeMar Derozan

J.R. Smith is locked in defensively. He’ll try to slow down DeMar Derozan as the Cleveland Cavaliers face off against the Toronto Raptors.

J.R. Smith has always been recognized for what he can do on the offensive end but the Cleveland Cavaliers want him to continue his defensive rebirth and slow down the Toronto Raptors’ DeMar Derozan, starting tomorrow.

Derozan, the Compton-bred shooting guard and ninth overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, averaged a career-high 27.3 points per game in the regular season (5th in the NBA). His scoring numbers have dropped to 23.5 points per game in the playoffs, however, two things have certainly carried over from the regular season.

His ability to knock down shots from 10-16 feet and his ability to get to the free-throw line.

According to Basketball-Reference, Derozan shot 49.3 percent from 10-16 feet away from the rim in the regular season and 45.5 percent from 10-16 feet away from the rim in the playoffs. Derozan averaged 8.7 free-throw attempts per game in the regular season and 8.1 free-throw attempts per game in the playoffs.

With his go-to moves and a knack for the sensational finish, Derozan is one of the best one-on-one scorers in the game. Even head coach Tyronn Lue said as much (quotes gathered by Cavs Nation’s Kenny Honaker):

"“He’s one of the best one-on-one players in our league right now,” Lue said of DeRozan. “He does a good job of getting to the free-throw line. His mid-range jumper is automatic and he can get to the basket, where he’s very athletic. So, he’s a tough cover. We just wanna make him make field goals and not free-throws — make it hard on him.”"

Smith had this to say about Derozan’s ability to score:

That’s why, in defending Derozan, these are Smith’s goals:

It’s easier said than done, as Derozan is quick, explosive and a very capable ball-handler. He plays under control and makes smart decisions in passing, pulling up or taking it all the way to the rim. However, outside of LeBron James, Smith has the best mix of size and athleticism when it comes to defending Derozan.

Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 225 pounds, Smith is nearly the same size as the 6-foot-7, 221 pound Derozan. He may not be the athlete that Derozan is but you certainly wouldn’t guess Smith was nearly 32-years-old with the way he moves around the court.

Teammate Kyle Korver thinks that Smith has always had the tools to be an impact player on defense, based on his physical tools.

Now that he’s mentally engaged on the defensive end, he can live up to his potential on the defensive end. For Smith, he revels in the chance to guard the opponent’s best player.

He only wishes he would have had this mindset sooner.

Smith won’t be the only player that the Cavaliers throw at the Raptors, according to coach Lue (quotes gathered by Cavs Nation’s Kenny Honaker).

"“We gotta do some different things, give them different looks. And we have to do it by committee. It’s not gonna be a one-on-one challenge, where one person is gonna guard a guy. We have to make it tough for them.”"

Iman Shumpert and LeBron James will likely be two other players that draw the assignment on Derozan, with Shumpert doing dual-duty in defending Kyle Lowry as well.

Against the Indiana Pacers, Smith performed better than the statistics would indicate. Only Jeff Teague, who was matched up against Irving, was an efficient player in the Indiana Pacers backcourt.

Paul George shot 38.6 percent from the field.

As for his offense, Smith had this to say after only taking 5.0 field goal attempts per game in the opening round, the lowest of his career.

Swish remains full of brash confidence but now is focused on making the smart play.

That’s the best version of Smith the Cleveland Cavaliers can have. Derozan having to chase Smith around and tire himself out on the offensive end is a form of defense as well.

Do you think J.R. Smith will do well defending DeMar Derozan? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section or Twitter @KJG_NBA.

*All statistics gathered from www.basketball-reference.com