J.R. Smith thinks he hyperextended elbow, doesn't expect to miss time
The tenure of J.R. Smith as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers is off to an inauspicious start through three games.
It's tough to judge anything with the Cavs while LeBron James remains sidelined, but it appears they're asking Smith, just acquired a week ago, to carry too much of the scoring load in James's stead. In three games as a Cavalier, Smith has fired off 38 shots and dished only two assists, shooting 34.2 percent in the process.
Smith is known as a chucker, but that's extreme by his standards. He's normally an effective long-range weapon and a bit underrated as a passer, though he's prone to cold streaks like this.
At the root of his 2-of-10 shooting night Sunday may be an injury, though, as Smith thinks he felt his arm hyperextend driving to the basket in the fourth quarter.
"It affected my shooting in the fourth," Smith said, adding he doesn't expect to miss any time. "I couldn't get a full follow-through. I'm in a little pain, but it's nothing too serious."
Considering he went 0-for-5 in the final frame, he may be on to something. The Cavs are off Monday before playing Tuesday, so he'll have a day to recuperate.
Given the shooting volume he's been afforded in the last week, this late-night Instagram post from Sunday can't possibly be about basketball, right?
CAPTION: An that's all folks!!! #GreatNightWorld!!!