On January 5, 2014 the Cleveland Cavaliers announced they had acquired swingmen JR Smith and Iman Shumpert (and a first round pick) in a three-team deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder and New York Knicks.
For the Knicks, getting rid of New York Knucklehead JR Smith, and in particular his $6.4M player option for next season was worth it even if it meant dealing Iman Shumpert in a lost season. Shumpert had seen his stock drop league-wide after dealing with injury woes and offensive struggles, but was still regarded as a fierce defender with the potential to become a “3 and D” guy. Smith, who also missed games with injuries to his heel and knee was ineffective when he did play, struggling to adjust to the new triangle offense.
The Thunder, once again looking to fill the hole created by letting James Harden walk for basically nothing, sent a protected first rounder to Cleveland for Dion Waiters aka “JR Smith Jr”. Ironically, the Knicks and Thunder were in talks at last year’s trade deadline to send Shumpert for that same draft pick.
The James Gang in Cleveland hoped that Shumpert, who was nursing a shoulder injury at the time, and Smith would come in and give a much needed boost to their backcourt. New Cavaliers coach David Blatt was forced to give significant tic to Waiters (who never meshed with Kyrie Irving), Matthew Dellavedova, a washed up Shawn Marion and rookie second-round pick Joe Harris during the first two months of the season prior to the deal. Consequently, Cleveland’s rotations were completely out of whack and the new super Cavs got off to an inauspicious start.
Meanwhile Knicks fans everywhere, myself included, rejoiced seeing JR shipped out even if the price tag included a fan favorite in Shumpert. The 2014-2015 season was dead on arrival in Gotham. The Knicks beat these same Cavaliers in their home opener on October 30 at The Q and basically haven’t won since. A salary dump was just what the doctor ordered as the Phil Jackson-led rebuild was on at Madison Square Garden.
Then a funny thing happened…JR Smith once again became JR Swish.
Long miscast as a viable second option, especially in New York, Smith is thriving as a supporting player in Cleveland behind the triumvirate of Lebron, Kyrie and Kevin Love (for now, amirite Lakers fans?). Smith has been doing his best Ray Allen impression as he’s found the range from three and added a deadly catch and shoot option that helps keep defenses honest when James and Kyrie begin to attack the paint.
Here are just a few of JR’s recent exploits during the Cavs run to clinching the Central Division and the second seed in the Eastern Conference:
- Smith: 10-15 FG, 8-13 3PT, 2 reb, 2 ast, 1 TO, 28 pts, 31 min vs DET (4/13)
- Smith: 8-17 3PT, no two point shots, 24 pts, 43 min vs CHI (4/05)
- Smith: 8-11 FG, 7-9 3PT, 4 reb, 3 stl, 23 pts, 37 min @ MIL (3/22)
- Smith: 7-14 FG, 6-11 3PT, 5-6 FT, 4 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk, 25 pts, 34 min @ ORL (3/15)
In 46 games as a Cav, Smith has started 45 of them and averaged 12.7 points and shot .390 from three-point range. He’s dropped 20 or more points 10 times and has sunk four or more three’s in a game 14 times. He’s also exerted far more effort defensively than he has in years past, proving he’s not just a one-trick pony.
No one, other than Deon Cole playing “Charlie Telphy” on Black-ish has done better in a new role this year than Earl Joseph “J.R.” Smith III. Whether it’s the Cavaliers’ culture, Cleveland’s limited late night options, playing for a new contract or simply just playing with three of the best players on the planet, JR Smith has become the “X factor” in the Cavs starting lineup.
While an expanded role has worked wonders for JR a decreased role has been great for Shumpert.
After being drafted 17th overall in 2011 and earning First-Team All Rookie honors, Shumpert immediately became a fan favorite. Shump’s defense, hustle and heart endeared him to the Knicks faithful, who historically have adored less heralded “blue collar” players à la grocery boy-turned cult hero John Starks.
Like so many wide-eyed youths that come to NYC, Shump was unceremoniously chewed up and spit out. He entered the NBA during lockout that lasted until December 8, 2011, meaning he was behind in learning the NBA game after coming out of Georgia Tech. Injuries kept him out of the 2012 dunk contest and eventually ended his season when he was cut down by ACL/MCL tears in the opening round of the 2012 playoffs. Shumpert missed nearly half of the 2013 season in recovery as the Knicks missed fell short of the postseason.
Injuries notwithstanding, Shumpert’s name was constantly involved in trade rumors, which is par for the course for any young talent rockin the orange and blue. Moving from “The Big Apple” to “The ‘Land” might be the best thing for Shumpert as he can finally go out and do what he does best: turn defense into transition offense.
When he’s not tweeting at HHSR, Shumpert has been a terrific on-ball defender, which has spelled LeBron some time and energy from guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter scorer and — just has Smith surprised with his defense — Shumpert has been a better catch-and-shoot corner-three guy than many Cavs fans expected. In Cleveland, Shump’s been able to siphon minutes from the aforementioned Dellavedova, Marion and Harris, allowing Cleveland’s once rocky rotations to fall into place like Tetris for the no longer overmatched David Blatt.
The Cavs have been nearly unbeatable since adding Smith and Shump (and former Knick and fellow starter Timofey Mozgov, known affectionately by his teammates as “Mozzy” and “Maserati”) and have looked like the title contender we all thought they’d be, while the Knicks have been abysmal, having just completed the worst season in franchise history, earning a guaranteed top five pick for their troubles. Talk about a come up!
If King James makes good on his promise to bring a championship to the shores of Lake Erie it’ll be in no small part to the combined efforts of an unlikely pair of cavalrymen.
— By Anthony Hueston