LeBron James’ move to Los Angeles left many scratching their heads and just as many wondering if it was because of what Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith did in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals?
The Los Angeles Lakers, for their part, have signed veterans whose production is rivaled by their infamy since signing LeBron James. This strategy discredits what the Cleveland Cavaliers have proven about James the last few seasons.
There was 2016 Shaqtin’-a-Fool MVP JaVale McGee, the feuding floor general Rajon Rondo and Lance “blow-in-your-ear” Stephenson. Most recently, the Lake Show signed vacant chowderhead Michael Beasley.
As a result, some believe James would’ve had a better supporting cast if he stayed in Cleveland.
On July 20th, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst would show optimism in the Lakers’ signing of Beasley but in the process, Windhorst decided to criticize Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard J.R. Smith.
LeBron James played a season with Michael Beasley in Miami. They had no major issues & LeBron said he respected Beasley's talent. I mean Erik Spoelstra decided Beas was unplayable in the postseason due to defensive lapses. But in fairness I don't recall him forgetting the score.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) July 20, 2018
Windhorst has a point though. Although Beasley can take an offense-first approach on defense, he’s never forgotten the score on the NBA’s biggest stage.
A cheap shot on J.R.
Smith’s catastrophic brain cramp in the waning seconds of what was LeBron’s final time taking the Cavs to the NBA Finals will haunt him for the rest of his life. A five-second blip could define his already highly dramatized 14-year career.
Is that fair?
This blip did come at the end of a very winnable Game 1 against basketball’s biggest Goliath… Maybe the catch-all criticism is justified.
Still, when comparing J.R. to Beasley, we should look at the larger picture as opposed to a snapshot.