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If someone would have told you — during the season — that the Miami Heat were in need of a J.R. Smith, you would have wondered what planet that individual was floating on. And if that someone told you Smith would be focused enough to carry the Cleveland Cavaliers in multiple games on their way to the NBA Finals, you might have thought you were dreaming.
But it is all true, and the chances of the Cavs letting LeBron James’ new running mate leave are slim to none. So Miami’s best bet is to put some money into somebody similar — like Gerald Green.
At first glance, their careers have taken very different paths. Smith is a former Sixth Man of the Year whose career has seen him become the sidekick to three of the league’s “Super Friends” (James, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony). Green, on the other hand, has been a journeyman who spent seven years on seven teams with two seasons exiled from the league.
Dig a little deeper and you see two erratic players who skipped out on their college commitments after great McDonald’s All-American game performances. Both are also athletic wings with Slam Dunk contest experience. But the kicker is their knack for scoring.
Following Smith’s move to Cleveland, he averaged 12 PPG on 39 percent shooting from the three and 43 percent from the field, while Green put up 12 PPG on 35 percent shooting from the three and 42 percent from the field. The Phoenix Suns‘ swingman was so good that at one point he was the only reserve amongst the top 13 players with the highest scoring rate in the NBA. That is until his minutes became nonexistent.
If Pat Riley is paying attention, he will see another opportunity to swoop in and capitalize on a frustrated talent like he did with Green’s ex-teammate, Goran Dragic. Only this time he can save picks by offering the free agent a similar mid-level contract to the one he has now. Not to mention that his ability to shoot as well as penetrate makes him the exact type of player Riley was talking about when he said, “I don’t want a one-dimensional guy.” His talent to run the floor also makes him fit into coach Erik Spoelstra’s promise to his former point guard to run more.
It all sounds great, but only time will tell where Green’s heart is come July — if Miami is even interested.
Richard Nurse is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @blackirishpr or add him to your network on Google.
