JR Smith

[CavsHomer]

They just don't come rolling in next day gliding in on a fucking hover board.

 

[ChicagoCavFan]

Agree on the option, solely because of his Finals performance. Just don't think he get much more than $7 million per on the market. Perform in Cleveland next year and make bigger bucks the following season. He should be on this stage again, and there would be potential to make something in the Teens...pipe.

 

[Jig18]

At least he hasn't jetted off to the south yet. He played golf at Firestone in Akron today. The guy is a golf fiend. Heard from a couple of different sourcess that he played 36 holes on the Wednesday between Game 3 and Game 4.

I'm all aboard bringing him back next year though. Hopefully he takes to heart how he performed during the finals and works harder this offseason on his game. To me, he's just not a guy that thrives being the focus on the team. I believe he is more suited to the 6th man/hot scorer (pun intended) role. I think Klay's length really affected his ability to get his shot off during the finals. Any reason not to believe that LeBron wouldn't still want him here? I don't think so. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Cayman13]

I was a huge JR fan. I still like the guy. But I guess I just don't get the whole "he was asked to do more, that's why he failed" argument. I mean, this is basketball. Does that mean that everything has to be perfect for them to hit a few shots? The guy was literally non-existent - NOTHING like the regular season. He couldn't just keep playing his game, help the team in that way? I just don't get it.

IMO, you don't need mentally soft guys - because if everything has to be perfect for them to perform - there's a problem. I don't want to hear things like "there's a lot going on" and "things are tough right now" - I mean, really? This is the NBA Finals - there is no bigger stage, or motivation.

 

[Kbiz]

You keep him for floor spacing purposes alone, as long as his asking price is reasonable. With a healthy Irving & Love, we need good catch-and-release guys for spacing purposes. JR is one of the best in the league when he's focused.

Mentally weak??? Maybe but it was probably more due to the fact that Thompson solely focused on shutting him down. Klay is no slouch on defense.

JR was not mentally week in the ATL series, averaging 18 & 10 the last two games. He simply ran into a tough matchup against GS.

 

[DatDudeZ3]

Some people just don't understand basketball... JR and Shump performed poorly because they were forced out of there natural roles due to injuries. They are good as 3rd and 4th options on offense, not as top options. JR is not a 2nd scorer, he is a catch and shoot type of guy... He had to do more off the dribble against the Warriors in an expanded role without Kyrie. Him being forced to be a #2 option threw him off his game, and you could see SHump was just uncomfortable on offense being a top option. JR is a hell of a 4th option, and will be great on this team for the next few years. Love JR, can't wait to have him back. Don't forget the only reason we were in the finals is because JR balled out and hit clutch shots against the Bulls and averaged 18 and 10 against Atlanta in the ECF. Some "fans" turn on their own guys the moment they struggle when really that's when you should be supporting them the most.

 

[Dr. Claw]

At least he hasn't jetted off to the south yet. He played golf at Firestone in Akron today. The guy is a golf fiend. Heard from a couple of different sourcess that he played 36 holes on the Wednesday between Game 3 and Game 4.

I'm all aboard bringing him back next year though. Hopefully he takes to heart how he performed during the finals and works harder this offseason on his game. To me, he's just not a guy that thrives being the focus on the team. I believe he is more suited to the 6th man/hot scorer (pun intended) role. I think Klay's length really affected his ability to get his shot off during the finals. Any reason not to believe that LeBron wouldn't still want him here? I don't think so. Just my 2 cents.

I want him and Shumpert back. (So I can keep referring to them as the "2 Knicks United", for one...)

But I agree with this. JR Smith was never meant to be a starting player, he was thrust in that role. GS won because they had players who had a role to play and stuck to it. That's why Dion Waiters is no longer a Cavalier, IMO.

Bring him back on the cheap and let's do it again. With the rumors that Mo Williams could be coming back this could produce more Michael Jordan Tears of happiness.

 

[Cavatt]

I still think he plays better as a starter instead of trying to create his shot.

 

[ptw1]

I still think he plays better as a starter instead of trying to create his shot.

He wasn't trying to create his shot because he was coming off the bench. He was trying to create his shot because his jumper wasn't falling and he was the next best person, beside LBJ, that could somewhat create offense for himself.

 

[Cavatt]

He wasn't trying to create his shot because he was coming off the bench. He was trying to create his shot because his jumper wasn't falling and he was the next best person, beside LBJ, that could somewhat create offense for himself.

I know. I think he is better when he spots up.

 

[Tornicade]

Jr Smith is gonna leave and he is gonna think it was his idea. its so right.

I enjoyed watching Jr play but he is a jounreyman and thats what journeymen do.

When he opts out I hope he gets a great deal. if he doesnt get that deal I hope the Cavs offer him less money.

 

[bushwick_bill]

JR Smith better have a reality check and opt-in because no way is he getting a bigger pay day than what the Cavs can offer.

 

[Soar]

Could see JR opt out and get more years and therefore, more money for long term security.

Iguodala did something similar a few years ago. He opted out of 16-17 million dollars at one year for 4 years at 12 per year.

 

[Simmy]

Some people just don't understand basketball... JR and Shump performed poorly because they were forced out of there natural roles due to injuries. They are good as 3rd and 4th options on offense, not as top options. JR is not a 2nd scorer, he is a catch and shoot type of guy... He had to do more off the dribble against the Warriors in an expanded role without Kyrie. Him being forced to be a #2 option threw him off his game, and you could see SHump was just uncomfortable on offense being a top option. JR is a hell of a 4th option, and will be great on this team for the next few years. Love JR, can't wait to have him back. Don't forget the only reason we were in the finals is because JR balled out and hit clutch shots against the Bulls and averaged 18 and 10 against Atlanta in the ECF. Some "fans" turn on their own guys the moment they struggle when really that's when you should be supporting them the most.

Wonderful post. It is unbecoming for fans to criticize JR's [lack of] performance in the The Finals. This team, when perfectly healthy, is the quintessential balance and definition of "player's excelling in an individual role." The minute these roles alter, the chemistry dissipates. You can't expect a catch and shoot guy who was an integral cog to our becoming one of the most lethal offensive teams in the NBA from January onwards to manipulate his entire game to the point where he's being asked to excel at something in which, quite frankly, he can't do.

I can remember countless moments throughout the second half of the season where it became clear that what JR provided as a starting SG playing within the context of the offense was invaluable to this team's global offensive arsenal. The guy is somebody we absolutely need back.

Don't be mislead - JR is not a second option, "create-your-own-offense" kind of guy - obviously, that is not a circumstance that favors him. But in the role he was asked to play for 90% of the season, he was critical. Don't let a warped, unbalanced Finals deter you from what was really going on when this team went 33-3, playing the way (structurally and strategically more than anything) it was designed to do so.

 

[Ohio]