Cleveland Cavaliers: 4 reasons why consistent play from role players is needed
By Alec Hartman
J.R. needs to step up and keep feeding Korver
This might sound like a broken record but Smith has been wildly inconsistent this series. He was expected to be a major contributor after signing back with the Cavs but has since shown even more flaws. Smith has lost his ability to create his own shot and by all means has lost his ability to make any of his shots.
Most of the reason why the Cavs struggled so mightily to finish off the Pacers in Game 5 was due to Smith’s inability to make a single shot. He went 0-8 from the field including 0-6 from three all while playing most of the team’s minutes while contributing two turnovers.
Zero points from the starting shooting guard in any game is absolutely unacceptable. Smith must play better if the Cavs are to continue in the playoffs with him as a starter.
Korver has been monumental for this Cavs down the stretch in this series. Korver has had over 18 points in the last two games which have both resulted in wins. In fact, the Cavs have won every game in this series in which Korver has attempted more than three shots.
Getting Korver more involved has certainly been a point of emphasis for the Cavs and will surely continue as long as he stays hot.
Calderon has played well in relief of Hill. Calderon was inserted into the starting lineup in Game 4 as Hill was out with injury. His contributions haven’t been great offensively but he hasn’t made many mistakes. Nobody is complaining though as the Cavs are now 2-0 since Calderon entered the starting lineup.
LeBron is once again putting in his best effort to score half of the team’s points in every game to secure wins but at some point the supporting cast needs to put in consistent efforts along with him. The Cavs cannot continue to dig themselves into holes when LeBron is off the court or is being hounded by several defenders.
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There seems to be more cohesion going on within the team as of late with the recent lineup the Cavs have put together. The Cavs will be just fine as the playoffs move on if players like Korver continue to step up and provide supporting production.