ATLANTA – Admire J.R. Smith’s shot. It’s pretty.
Marvel at his seven three-pointers in Game 2, his playoff-leading 4.7 three-pointers per game and his 52.8% shooting from that distance in the postseason. It’s special.
And this, too: Appreciate his defense. Yep, Smith is a two-player for the Cleveland Cavaliers, capable of scoring and preventing his man from doing the same.
“People are overlooking what he’s done defensively since he got here,” Cavs teammate LeBron James said.
Cavs coach Tyronn Lue assigned Smith to guard Hawks guard Kyle Korver, and through two games, Korver is 3-for-8 – just one shot in Game 1 – and has made one three-pointer.
Cleveland has made it a priority to limit Korver. While team defense is required and he receives defensive help, Smith is making Korver work. Smith finds Korver immediately after a change of possession and follows him – fighting through screens and chasing him from sideline to sideline.
“Just lock into him, more than anything,” Smith said. “We were talking together about it in the locker room. We’ve got to be like Deion Sanders used to be – just shut off this side of the field and make him go to the other side. That’s the way I look at it. Lock in, chase him off as many screens as it takes, and if he does get the ball, be prepared for him to shoot and just contest it as best as you can.”
Smith is a known scorer, and he came to Cleveland in the middle of the 2014-15 season with a defensive reputation that proceeded him: he isn’t a good defender.
Smith won’t be confused with Tony Allen or Avery Bradley as an elite perimeter defender, but Smith is a capable defender who makes an effort – an effort that was difficult to notice at previous stops, especially when his team wasn’t winning.
Smith admitted as much in last season’s conference finals against the Hawks. With something to play for and the Cavs healthy, Smith’s opportunities are abundant. Teams pay so much attention to James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, and Smith is taking advantage.
Smith has been fantastic. He had 23 points and made 5-of-7 three-pointers in Cleveland’s easy 123-98 victory over Atlanta in Game 2, a game in which the Cavs made an NBA-record 25 three-pointers.
“J.R., he’s the only one on the team that has the ultra-green light. It’s like fluorescent,” James said. “Coach says, ‘Hey, J.R., shoot. Shoot it, shoot it, shoot it.’ ”
Smith has made 28-of-53 three-pointers and is averaging 14.8 points in the postseason. When Smith is on the court during the playoffs, the Cavs have scored 119.5 points per 100 possessions, the second-highest offensive rating for the Cavs behind James among players with at least 100 minutes.
The recognition of Smith’s defensive effort is necessary. But he makes his money with his shot, and it’s not just making shots. It’s the way he makes them. Twisting, spinning, fading away, with defenders in his face and way behind the three-point line.
“This is my shot,” Smith said. “Regardless of how funny it may look to you, I feel as if I can make it and when I get that opportunity, I’m going to shoot it and I’m going to make it.”
Smith doesn’t lack confidence. Asked if Wednesday was a game in which his shot felt good on every attempt, Smith said, “Honestly, I feel like that every time I play. Whenever I shoot the ball, I have the confidence that it’s going to in, and I attribute that to how hard we work in the gym.”
Smith is a shooter, and James is not. But ESPN’s Dave McMenamin asked James an interesting question: What would it be like to play like Smith?
“That’s almost a trick question. What do you mean by that? Where you can just shoot any shot that you want?” James said. “It would be cool to take 14, 15, 17, 20 (three-pointers). You’ve taken 20 before in a game haven’t you?”
“Yeah, last year,” Smith said.
“Take 20 threes in a game?” James continued. “It would be cool.”
