J.R. Smith Has Golden Opportunity to Become Cleveland Cavaliers' Playoff Hero
Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard J.R. Smith has been called many things during his erratic NBA career, but we're guessing "hero" isn't one of them.
Yet, this is precisely what he could become for the Cavs when the playoffs begin April 18.
Although Smith arrived in Cleveland with a well-documented reputation, he's been nothing short of a savior for the Cavaliers already.
"[Smith has been] everything we needed and more," LeBron James told Steve Popper of NorthJersey.com in February. "He’s been a two-way player, he can spread the floor for us offensively, makes plays offensively, and he defends the two-guards at a high level defensively. He’s an unselfish guy and all he cares about is winning and that’s huge."
Smith, 29, brings years of playoff experience for a Cavs team with a number of players who've never made it past April before. He provides a nice complementary piece to Cleveland's Big Three, able to space the offense and knock down catch-and-shoot three-pointers.
In the playoffs, opposing teams will base their entire game plan on stopping James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. Double-teams will come. Play will get physical. The Cavaliers' Big Three will need offensive help.
While Smith will be counted on for his usual 10-15 points a night, he's also very capable of putting up 20-30 at any given time. We've witnessed his ability to catch fire at a moments notice. This ability gives him the unique opportunity to rise up and play at that hero-level, catching opposing teams off guard who won't expect it.
Success is often about opportunity, and Smith has certainly experienced both with the Cavaliers.
While he's accomplished plenty in his 11-year career, Smith now has the chance to add a new title to his resume: playoff hero.
A Perfect Fit
When the Cavaliers orchestrated a three-team deal in early January that brought Smith to Cleveland, it appeared to simply be a way of acquiring shooting guard Iman Shumpert.
The New York Knicks were perfectly fine with dumping Smith and his $6.4 million player option for next season, even willing to sacrifice the 24-year-old Shumpert in the process. The Cavs, desperate to get bigger and better defensively on the wing, were happy to take both.
This move wasn't met without some hesitation, however.
It's fair to say Smith hasn't always been the angelic version we've witnessed thus far. Partying, drugs and reckless driving are all chapters written in his book. Smith has also accumulated over $1 million in fines from untying opponents' shoes, posting inappropriate pictures online and skipping practices (while playing in China).
Even though Smith has clashed with coaches in the past, Cavs head man David Blatt has offered nothing but positive things to say about his shooting guard, per Popper.
"I really can’t comment on anything in the past, but I can tell you one thing: J.R. Smith has been a dream for us, as a team and for me personally. I love the guy. I love coaching him. He comes to work every single day. He’s a great teammate. He’s playing both ends of the court for us consistently.
"
Smith has given the love right back to his coach, praising Blatt's attention to detail and the way he's quick to compliment his players.
As Smith told Joe Vardon of the Northeast Ohio Media Group:
"That's the special thing about coach Blatt, he doesn't let anything go. He's not too big thing for anything, if it's a play you make, he's going to let you know it was the right play or it's the wrong play, and I think that's one of the special things about him.
Ever since I've been here, it's been a pleasure to play for him.
"
Of course, it's easy for Blatt to appreciate Smith when he connects on plays like this.
Since arriving with the Cavaliers, Smith is averaging 13.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals and a team-high 2.9 made three-pointers per game. He's connecting on 38.9 percent of his three-pointers, well above his career mark of 37.2.
Although he was a sixth man with the Knicks, even winning top reserve in 2012-13, Smith has started all but his initial game in Cleveland.
His play, and fit, have been great.
In the playoffs, Smith should shine even brighter.
Postseason Hero?
Smith brings a healthy dose of playoff experience to the Cavaliers' backcourt.
In total, he's played 51 postseason games over seven seasons with the Denver Nuggets and Knicks. He averaged 18.3 points on 53.5 percent shooting in 2007-08 and helped the Nuggets reach the Western Conference Finals with 14.9 points off the bench in 2008-09.
After playing alongside a star in Carmelo Anthony through all those postseason trips (both were in New York and Denver at the exact same times, oddly enough), Smith knows exactly what to expect for his role.
All of Cleveland's other rotation players (Timofey Mozgov, Shumpert, Tristan Thompson and Matthew Dellavedova) do their best work on the defensive end. None can take over a game offensively or really create their own shot.
This is where Smith comes in.
The great thing about James, Irving and Love, beyond their scoring, is their ability to pass the ball. James has better vision than most point guards, while Irving and Love have proven capable of moving the ball to find the open man as well.
When the double-teams come, and they will, the Cavaliers will need shooters to spot up and knock down open looks. Failing to do so will shrink the court, giving less room for players like James to operate inside.
James has always done an excellent job of getting three-point shooters involved in the postseason.
Even before Mike Miller and Ray Allen with the Miami Heat, there was Daniel Gibson on the Cavaliers.
During Gibson's rookie season, he came up huge in the playoffs. His 31 points off the bench on 5-of-5 shooting from deep led the Cavaliers past the Detroit Pistons in Game 6 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals. In the last four games of the series, all wins, Gibson averaged 18 points a night in helping Cleveland reach its first-ever NBA Finals.
These are the types of performances Smith should, and can, have for the Cavs.
Cleveland doesn't need him to orchestrate the offense, run sets or play the pick-and-roll. His job responsibilities include spacing the floor and shooting when the ball is delivered.
So far, so good.
Smith is converting 41.3 percent of his catch-and-shoot threes with the Cavaliers this season. Nearly half of his total shot attempts come via the quick-release three.
This success rate is sixth among all NBA players averaging four attempts or more a game. Smith is also tied for second in makes (2.2) and third in attempts (5.3) on catch-and-shoot threes.
With James and Irving running the offense, Smith has done an excellent job staying within his role. Unlike Dion Waiters, Smith has accepted his responsibility to space the floor, help create driving lanes and be that kick-out option on offense.
Even after a solid start to his career in Cleveland, Smith has really begun to heat up heading into the playoffs.
He's upped his averages to 14.5 points on 44.5 percent from deep over the past 13 games. The Cavaliers are 11-2 during that stretch and are outscoring opponents by 8.6 points per 100 possessions with Smith on the floor.
Unafraid of the moment, Smith has hit big shots not only this season…
…but throughout his career as well.
Conclusion
Smith has truly been a pleasant surprise for the Cavs.
The makeup of the roster, with veterans like James, Shawn Marion, Miller, Kendrick Perkins, James Jones and others, has been perfect for him. The chance to go deep in the playoffs certainly provides extra motivation to succeed as well.
After a rocky 19-20 start to the season, Smith can help ensure the Cavaliers continue their NBA-best 32-7 mark over the past three months now in the final stretch.
"He’s one of the main reasons for our turnaround, together with Iman, who simply started later because of the injury," Blatt told Popper. "Those guys, honestly, they’ve been a godsend. They really have. They turned the team around."
As bold as Blatt's statement is, Smith made his own to Vardon, saying, "I am enjoying myself more here than anywhere I've been."
In what has become a weird and wonderful relationship, Smith and the city of Cleveland have embraced each other.
He's done everything the Cavaliers have asked of him and more in the regular season. After playing the role of sidekick so beautifully, it's now time for Smith to become Cleveland's playoff hero.
Greg Swartz has covered the Cleveland Cavaliers and NBA for Bleacher Report since 2010. All stats provided by Basketball-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.
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