Starting SG: Smith or Shumpert?

[Randolphkeys]

Whoever starts on offense kind of has to blend in as the 4th option. The Cavaliers need to get LeBron and Kyrie their touches and get their rhythm going, and the bigs need to get involved so they are active on both ends. Smith did a fine job of it, but the Cavaliers get to use him more as a weapon as the 6th man. It's a good problem to have.

 

[Marcus]

"Bench scoring"is the least useful stat there is though.

You'd see a graphic showing Boston outscoring our bench 40 to 5.. and we're up ten points. And their leading scorer comes off the bench, and our starters convert 1.3 points a shot, play 36 minutes each and take a fcombined 90% of fga

I don't think you can underrate having some scoring off the bench. You need to have guys that come in and score if the starters are having an off night. Kyrie and LeBron have both had poor performances in the postseason so far.

Also, I'd cite Boston as an exception, not the norm. Boston (probably more so than any other team in the league) relies on their bench scoring as the main component to their offense, and not just a supplementary one. Their best player comes off the bench, and their starting lineup is average at best in terms of talent.

I do get what you're saying. This team, as constructed, gets the majority of its scoring output from its starters. You're not going to win many games getting 20 or less a game off your bench. There's no need for their bench to score 40-50 a game, sure, but they do need to have reliable guys that can come in and score while the starters get some rest. Besides, Smith is in at the end of the games, anyway. Does it really matter if he's not starting as long as he's closing out games?

 

[David.]

I don't think you can underrate having some scoring off the bench. You need to have guys that come in and score if the starters are having an off night. Kyrie and LeBron have both had poor performances in the postseason so far.

Also, I'd cite Boston as an exception, not the norm. Boston (probably more so than any other team in the league) relies on their bench scoring as the main component to their offense, and not just a supplementary one. Their best player comes off the bench, and their starting lineup is average at best in terms of talent.

I do get what you're saying. This team, as constructed, gets the majority of its scoring output from its starters. You're not going to win many games getting 20 or less a game off your bench. There's no need for their bench to score 40-50 a game, sure, but they do need to have reliable guys that can come in and score while the starters get some rest. Besides, Smith is in at the end of the games, anyway. Does it really matter if he's not starting as long as he's closing out games?

yup

itd be a more important stat if subs were like lines, like hockey, or if mike brown was still coaching, but its more complex than that

 

[kookoo]

start them both. Please.

If Kyrie is healthy for the finals, I would love to see a lineup of Kyrie, Smith, Shumpert, LeBron and Mozgov.

 

[Kypus]

I really don't think it matters. I consider Smith and Shumpert starters 1A and 1B at the SG position.

That's how I look at them- the point is they're both 3D players, one is tilted toward offense, one toward defense.

The issue has been Shump's jumper hasn't been consistent because he was recovering from injury when he got traded here, and then the groin strain (4 for 17 in 2 games after). After that he returned to his normal levels (11 for 24)- not a great shooter, but enough to be a threat.

Hopefully the quick turnaround from the groin wasn't a fluke, and he'll continue to be a threat from deep to justify him starting. His defense on their best player is a total game changer.

 

[Pavlovic3Ball]

It doesn't matter. Both will be on the floor at crunch time.

 

[Randolphkeys]

Shumpert's transition defense is also elite, and he alone has the ability to erase fast break points by the opposition. I'm not saying Smith is bad as a transition defender, but Shump is one of the best in the game and getting back and deflecting the ball or disrupting a 2 on 1. I see being 2 deep at shooting guard as an asset.

 

[Pavlovic3Ball]

J.R. should be on the court anytime LeBron is on the bench.

 

[Pioneer10]

Shumpert's transition defense is also elite, and he alone has the ability to erase fast break points by the opposition. I'm not saying Smith is bad as a transition defender, but Shump is one of the best in the game and getting back and deflecting the ball or disrupting a 2 on 1. I see being 2 deep at shooting guard as an asset.

Why we're limiting this to SG: essentially they both can play SF well as long as it's not a real athletic bruiser at the 3 ala Rudy Gay. Smith and Shumpert compete more then enough against guys like Dunleavy, Korver, Carrol, Bazemore, etc.

I see us having more of an elite 3 man "wing rotation" between Lebron, Shump, Smith.