With Irving out, Cavaliers must look to J.R. Smith for added offense
The complexion of the 2015 NBA Finals forever changed when Cleveland Cavaliers' guard Kyrie Irving fell awkwardly while in possession of the basketball during overtime of Game 1.
The three-time NBA All-Star was recently ruled out for the remainder of the series after being diagnosed with a fractured left knee cap. His surgery was successful, but he'll still need the next three to four months for recovery.
The Cavaliers have gone the entire postseason with an ailing Irving, but there's a big difference between having him on the floor at less than 100 percent and not having him at all.
Two victories over the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference Finals sans Irving should help ease the minds of anxiety-ridden Cleveland supporters. The Hawks aren't the Golden State Warriors, though - the No. 1 defensive team during the regular season, as well as the No. 2 offense behind the Los Angeles Clippers.
LeBron James is a freak of nature in terms of what he's capable of as a one-man wrecking crew (scored a personal NBA Finals-high 44 points in Game 1), but even The King can't take down the almighty Warriors by himself.
"In regular season pace, I can give you all 48," said James following practice Saturday. "I play extremely hard throughout the postseason, and I'd be cheating my team if I said I could go out and play 48 minutes. I think that's impossible."
So who will step up in Irving's absence? Tristan Thompson and Timofey Mozgov have rebounds locked down, but neither big is accustomed to working with their back to the basket on a regular basis. Matthew Dellavedova, who will seemingly become the Cavaliers' new starting point guard with Irving hurt, isn't going to be confused for an offensive menace anytime soon.
That leaves J.R. Smith, who was a non-factor in Game 1 with just nine points on 3-of-13 shooting in 34 minutes of action. It was the fifth time this postseason where The Prodigy shot under 40 percent from the field.
“I was trying to find a rhythm, it was hard to find and they started staying attached to me and clinging to my jumper,’’ said Smith following the game. “I have to do a better job mixing it up and taking it to the basket, creating plays for others.”
Irving's injury makes Smith the only other Cavaliers player not named LeBron averaging over 10 points (13.2) in the playoffs. His strongest performance of Cleveland's postseason run came in Game 1 against Atlanta, scoring 28 points in 35 minutes.
With Cleveland's backs against the wall and James needing one of his teammates to alleviate some of the pressure, the opportunity is there for Smith to be a factor on the big stage and prove some of his naysayers wrong, including his former team in the Big Apple.
It's going to take more of a well-rounded offensive attack on Smith's part, with nearly 70 percent of his points coming from behind the arc. The 29-year-old is shooting 38.6 percent from 3-point range, but it's too one-dimensional. He's athletic enough to beat the Warriors' wings off the dribble and get to the charity stripe, yet he's never been committed to being that kind of player, averaging under one free throw attempt per game in the playoffs.
Smith would be a hero to the masses should he tinker his game, bring some diversity to his offense, and become the secret ingredient behind Cleveland's first NBA Championship in franchise history.
It's not going to happen otherwise.