NBA Cleveland Cavaliers

J.R. Smith is Now Cleveland Cavaliers’ Headache

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Getty Images

Seems like this has been a story or at least a rumor dating back to last NBA season. The New York Knicks have tried and tried to ship away J.R. Smith, even before they fired Mike Woodson, but any scent of a deal was whisked away with the wind. With a new face running the organization in Phil Jackson, the Knicks finally got rid of the bad headache known as Smith. As they watched him leave the Big Apple, I’m sure someone in the New York franchise said “you’re the Cleveland Cavaliers‘problem now.”

That is exactly what Smith had become for Derek Fisher and the Knicks. He showed it during the Woodson era with his shoe untying, Twitter antics and utter immaturity. Once the league’s sixth man two seasons ago, his professionalism and maturity aren’t the only things that have plummeted. The guard’s numbers have dropped over the last couple of years as he is shooting only 40% this season, good for a 10PT average.

His debut with Cleveland only strengths my claim that Smith will be nothing more than a headache for the Cavs. He went 0-5 from the field, four of those shots from beyond the arc, and had 0 PTS in 18 MIN as the Cavaliers fell to the Houston Rockets by double digits.

As if I needed more proof, Smith basically wrote the article for me. He spoke to reporters of his new strategy now that he is with Cleveland: “My motto is, ‘When in doubt, shoot the ball.” This “headache” went on to say “So when in doubt, I’m going to shoot it.”

That should be reassuring for Coach David Blatt because Smith has been known to have such great judgment. Every time he touches the ball may be a moment of “when in doubt” for Smith. This is exactly what Cleveland was NOT looking for and why they traded away Dion Waiters. They don’t need a player that is going to try to take 10+ shots a game. They need someone who will be the X-Factor off the bench and provide intelligent, productive play. Seems that Smith will be a migraine for the Cavs.

Shane Phillips is an NBA Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow Shane on Twitter @ShaneRantSports, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network Google. You can also email Shane at [email protected].

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