J.R. Smith: The Cavaliers’ Biggest X-Factor

The Cavaliers NBA Finals X-factor should be none other than J.R. Smith. While the attention will be on the big three for both Cleveland and Golden State, JR Smith’s role should not be underplayed. When the Cavs have struggled this postseason it’s been because several of the big three did not do good that night.

J.R. Smith would be the next one in line that the Cavs would lean on for points. He hasn’t been called on to shoot the ball every time he touches it like in his past, but he does have a 20 point game in every series so far this postseason. He’s also shot the ball well averaging 45.5% from the field and an astounding 46.2% from three on 133 attempts.

With Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving healthy this year heading into the series, some of the pressure to put points up is off of JR when compared to last year. Last Finals, the Cavs had a starting rotation of LeBron James, Timofey Mozgov, Iman Shumpert, Tristan Thompson, and Matthew Dellavedova for most of it with JR Smith and James Jones being the only bench players who saw significant minutes.

With sharp shooters Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye to go with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, Smith has a greater ability to sit back and choose his shots instead of forcing them to happen. He struggled mightily in the Finals last year after having a relatively good postseason. He was 24/77 (31.2%) from the field and 15/51 (29.4%) from three in last year’s Finals. That means heading in, he’s shooting 15-20% better than he did for the Finals last year.

That 15-20% difference could have been the difference between forcing a game seven or not last year.

The other aspect of JR Smiths game that is drawing a lot of attention is his defense. He was never known as a great defender but as a scorer for his NBA career. This season, the NBA has seen Smith improve his defensive game. He has better stayed with his man and has not slacked off where he has in the past and given up easy plays. At 6’6” 225 pounds, he has the size and athleticism that would be wanted from a shooting guard. He’ll need to use his defensive abilities with Klay Thompson being his primary matchup in the series.

Thompson carried the Warriors through game six of the Western Conference Finals with 41 points including 11 three pointers. For the playoffs he is averaging 26 points per game on 45% shooting from three. Besides the PPG, JR and Klay’s stats seem to be pretty even.

When it comes down it, after the main players Smith is the one that can most likely turn the tide of the series for better or for worse. His scoring may need to be called upon but with so many shooters it’s his defensive matchup that is going to be paramount. DeMar DeRozan shot the ball pretty well last series and Klay Thompson is an even better shooter.

The Cavs are not going to win many shootouts with Golden State and will look to be aggressive and make the inside shots that set up the open three pointers in time. If JR can have an impact on Thompson and with Steph Curry being less than 100%, the Cavs may have a good chance to win it.

Only time will tell the outcome of the series but if the Cavs want to win it this year, Smith must have a better series than last year.