JR Smith

wuck said:

I guess I look at them as two separate trades, even if the roles overlap. In other words, to me, the cost of getting a tradeable first-round pick was Dion, and that was the best pick they could get.

Maybe Smith will help to fill the Dion role. If so, great, I just don't have high hopes. But if the Cavs could have gotten Shumpert without having to take JR Smith and his contract, I have to think they would gone for that.

Click to expand...

Smith is a better scorer but worse passer than Dion. He's also bigger,which is something our team needs at the guard position without sacrificing mobility unlike Delly and Marion. I do really Smith can thrive in this role without having to worry about being a focal point. Just spot up and take as many shots as you want. As good as Dion was off the dribble, his finish was trash. As good of a passer as he was, he'd still mentally get into a zone where he forgets other players exist. If he's making those shots, cool. But when he doesn't... Like that freaking game winner he hit in Detroit. After that fadeaway he's probably 1/200 on those step backs.

JR, for as much of a headcase as he can be has proven that he has the ability to be a role player on a playoff team. He seems willing enough. Dion doesn't and will never believe he's a role player. There's the major difference between the two headcases. I'm holding off on Shumpert but if he can return close to form, I'm going to genuinely be giddy. Hopefully he's been working out since his shoulder injury. Time for a center.

We are talking about J.R Smith helping our team. This is like when I was a child and always thought what it would be like to have a player like him. I grew up with plays doing this stuff to remain entertaining. If a young kid will see what I saw on the Rodman Bulls as the Smith Cavs great days are ahead.

I remember this a few months back. 10 3's, crazy stuff.

riveronfire said:

So you're saying he didn't get suspended 5 games for using drugs? He didn't get fined 50k by the league for unsportsmanlike conduct? But don't take my work for it, go ahead and Google 'jr smith moron' or 'jr smith idiot' and see how many results come up.

The guy is a no D playing, chucking drug addict and the only reason the Cavs wanted him was for his numbers, nevermind the fact that every team he's ever been on eventually wants to get rid of him.

Click to expand...

addict?

And he was 1 for 6 from 2 point land in that game. He takes a ton of bad 2 point shots. He is an enigma for sure.

kookoo said:

Smith is a better scorer but worse passer than Dion.

Click to expand...

Based on what? Your opinion? Better, as in more skilled? Or Better as in more willing?

AST per 100 possessions are pretty close. Smith's career average is 4.4. Dion's is 5.2.

2013:

Smith: 4.8
Dion: 5.2

2014:

Smith: 7.0
Dion: 4.8

I think Smith gets a bad rap in that regard.

His game has slowly adjusted since early on in his career, when he was posting AST per 100 numbers in the 3's.

He's actually been a pretty willing passer as he has aged.

wuck said:

I guess I look at them as two separate trades, even if the roles overlap. In other words, to me, the cost of getting a tradeable first-round pick was Dion, and that was the best pick they could get.

Maybe Smith will help to fill the Dion role. If so, great, I just don't have high hopes. But if the Cavs could have gotten Shumpert without having to take JR Smith and his contract, I have to think they would gone for that.

Click to expand...

One good thing with Smith as opposed to Dion is that Smith accepts & has excelled at the 6th man role. Dion refused to accept it and has yet to prove anything consistently.

Not saying I think Smith will fit perfectly or anything, I'm certainly not expecting much.

However, I think the Cavs think they can live with his extracurriculars, at least to the point where they can take that risk while getting an upgrade in scoring & a guy who's proven he can produce for a playoff contender.

No doubt it won't be a seamless transition, but the more consistent scoring will definitely help us.



I still don't have a great feeling about it though

I say we all cross our fingers and hope we get 2013 JR Smith.

Plus, he won't have anywhere to go out in Cleveland!

The idea that Smith at 28 is going to be easier to mold than Dion at 22 seems like wishful thinking to me.

Cavatt said:

The idea that Smith at 28 is going to be easier to mold than Dion at 22 seems like wishful thinking to me.

Click to expand...

Smith is 29, but in a way hasn't he already been molded? He's used to coming off the bench and won't complain about it. He's got his issues, but I see no reason to assume he won't accept the role the team is going to give him. If he can hit threes consistently, he'll be mostly helpful to our offense.

He's going to take some bad shots. That's just who he is. Most of us accepted that Dion would take a couple of those a night even when he played well, and Smith isn't going to be any different. Still, Smith was a valuable player on good teams in the past. We can only cross our fingers and hope he'll be reinvigorated playing for a team that has a chance to contend now.

Cavatt said:

The idea that Smith at 28 is going to be easier to mold than Dion at 22 seems like wishful thinking to me.

Click to expand...

Smith is already molded into a 6th man/bench type of role. Dion apparently never wanted to accept that for himself. No molding that needs to happen as far as that is concerned. In terms of attitude/behavior concerns, we're just crossing our fingers that playing with his buddy Lebron and playing on a playoff team will help minimize his ridiculousness.

*edit* Jack Brickman beat me to it

I don't think anyone's ever had J.R. Smith come to their team and say, "yeah, this is the guy we need. I can't wait to see what he'll do for us."

I am mostly hoping he can get hot once in a while and help us win a couple games that we otherwise wouldn't. Other than that, I hope we can choke down the bad shot selection with the consolation that Dion was taking horrible shots this year too, and making them at a lower rate. At least, that's what I'm going to try to tell myself every time I want to throw my remote through my TV at the early, contested 3s.

Brandname said:

I am mostly hoping he can get hot once in a while and help us win a couple games that we otherwise wouldn't.

Click to expand...

Isn't that basically a definition of who Smith is?

Smith is the perfect wild card for this West Coast trip.

If he can get hot we might actually stay in a couple of these games.

Even though he's an expensive add-on Smith gives us another shooter on the perimeter with much needed length (6'10'' wingspan) that isn't already over 35. With apologies to Miller/Marion/Jones, none of them offer the athleticism/shooting JR can provide us off the bench.

Really hope he plays tonight, the overreaction posts to a good debut performance would be priceless.