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NBA Playoffs: Cleveland Cavaliers Better Off Without J.R. Smith?

By Alec Hartman

Apr 17, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) and guard Iman Shumpert (4) react to a call as Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) complains from the floor during the second half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 117-111. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) and guard Iman Shumpert (4) react to a call as Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) complains from the floor during the second half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 117-111. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith left Game 2 with a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, Kyle Korver and Iman Shumpert stepped up. Considering Smith’s decline in statistics this season, that might be the best thing for the Cavs.

Two games into the NBA postseason, the Cleveland Cavaliers have looked relatively smooth when comparing the team to the mangled mess they were entering the playoffs. An early 2-0 series lead over the Indiana Pacers is the result.

Just as things were moving in the right direction, an injury was suffered by Cavs’ sharpshooter J.R. Smith. Smith injured his hamstring but fortunately it is not believed to be serious. The injury occurred in Game 2 as he left after playing 18 minutes and scoring just three points.

This isn’t Smith’s first run-in with injury. He was sidelined for a good portion of the regular season after undergoing surgery on the thumb of his shooting hand.

In wake of Smith’s thumb injury that cost him about three months, the Cavs posted a modest 22-14 record. Their record only got worse when he returned as they finished the season winning just nine of their last twenty.

Thumb injury or no thumb injury, Smith’s declining numbers left a big gap in the Cavs’ circle of production this season.

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Understandably so, Smith’s partly compromised shooting hand cast a major shadow over his season. However, was his season even that good to begin with? Smith’s numbers have fallen considerably since last season.

In 2015, Smith was averaging 41% from the field, 40% from three, and a 53% effective field goal percentage. This season, Smith was averaging just 34% from the field, 36% from three, and 47% effective field goal percentage before the thumb injury. After the thumb injury, Smith averaged 35% from the field, 34% from three, and 49% effective field goal percentage.

Smith enjoyed one of his most efficient and productive seasons from three-point range in 2015. He flourished in his role as one of the Cavs’ primary deep threats. Smith’s numbers got even better as playoff time rolled around as he averaged over 46% from the field and 47% from three in the months of April and May.

Unfortunately for Smith, his time as the primary shooter may be about up. The Cavs picked up the phone in search of a possible replacement solution for their injured shooter.

The team acquired the Atlanta Hawks’ 3-point specialist Kyle Korver in January. This was made possible through a trade that included Mike Dunleavy and a future first round pick. The Korver acquisition ended up being quite favorable as LeBron James and company wasted no time implementing him into the rotation.

Korver led the league in 3-point percentage in 2013 and 2014. He is also the current leader in 3-point percentage for this season.

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The emergence of Iman Shumpert in Game 2 was one of the key figures in the Cavs’ eventual victory. Shumpert’s role increased when J.R. Smith was forced from the game due to his ailing hamstring. The energy that he brought into the game on the defensive end really lit a fire under the Cavs to get the momentum going.

Shumpert may be a better option for the Cavs to use more often in certain lineup sets in place of Smith. Opponents’ offensive rating and effective field goal percentage efficiency are more limited when Shumpert is on the floor than when he is off.

These numbers are even more telling in the playoffs as the Cavs’ opponents offensive rating and effective field goal percentage are far more limited when Shumpert is in, versus when he is out. The one playoff game sample size may be small but the numbers cannot be ignored.

Yes, the Cavs are giving up some offense when Shumpert is in as he is very limited offensively, but he makes up for it on defense. Smith’s offensive struggles have carried over into the playoffs which greatly dissipates the value he has on the floor anyway. This is especially true given the fact that he’s turned the ball over as much or more than he’s assisted in three of his last four games.

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Defense is what the Cavs need more than ever right now. J.R. Smith was a solid defender before, but hamstrings are an injury notorious for lingering. The Cavs may need to weigh other options. His shooting struggles have not helped his cause either. There is still hope that Smith can regain his former stature but it could be too little too late.

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