David Griffin: “Highly unlikely” Kevin Love returns for playoffs
April 28, 2015Chicago Bulls bloggers aren’t very optimistic about the Bulls
April 28, 2015The Cleveland Cavaliers will be without two starters for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals starting this Monday, but only one of the absences was the result of an ill-timed decision on that player’s part. J.R. Smith has been a model citizen since arriving in Cleveland, spending more time in at Cleveland Clinic Courts than anywhere else, working on becoming more than the throw-in he was upon acquisition. Now set to begin a two-game suspension for striking Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder in the second half of Sunday’s Game 4 win1, Smith’s efforts are being reciprocated as the team is standing behind him despite his poor decision.
Smith recently uploaded an image to his Instagram account which apologized to Cavalier fans and teammates. “Not the player I want to be, not the player I want my teammates and family to see,” he said. “Not the person I want the fans to see but I will be better. I must be better as a player and a person.”
Meeting with Smith after word of his suspension came down, Cavaliers general manager told his guard that there was no need to apologize.
“What happened was in the heat of the battle,” said Griffin from Cleveland Clinic Courts on Tuesday afternoon. “He’s a competitor and that’s what happens. We just have to go from there.”
Since being traded to Cleveland mid-season, Smith has seen his efficiency improve across the board as compared to his production with the Knicks, averaging 12.7 points on a 56.5 true shooting percentage with a career-low usage rate. Once thought to be coming off of the bench, Smith grabbed ahold of the Cavs’ starting shooting guard spot and never let go. It is expected that Iman Shumpert, who was acquired in the same trade, will fill in for Smith for at least the first two games. Veterans Mike Miller, James Jones and Shawn Marion could also see time on the wing.
“I love J.R., you guys know that,” said Cavs head coach David Blatt. “We’re with J and behind J at all times.”
[Related: J.R. Smith wasting no time fitting in with Cavs]
- The team does not have plans to appeal. [↩]
15 Comments
Standing behind him is dangerous!!!
You can’t have it both ways, Griff. You can’t say you’re sickened by what Olynyk did and then just blow off what Smith did as being in the heat of battle. Hypocrisy is not a good look.
At the time of the incident, Jae Crowder probably had the mentality of Darkwing Duck.
https://33.media.tumblr.com/5af65785b3163ab26156e3ea6ca1840d/tumblr_msca2woFGH1sh28k6o1_400.gif
no reason to get all literal, here. Griff is standing by his man – Patsy style.
This is just Griffin saying what he must to calm J.R. down. Smith had better come back ready to shoot and not be distracted by all that loose hardware rattling around in his head. Because without Love J.R.’s flagrant 2 had significant collateral damage: the only remaining floor stretchers are two old guys who are defensive liabilities, and clogged lanes which greatly diminish your superstars’ effectiveness.
I expect nothing but circle the wagons/next man up talk from everyone. It’s not like Rondo sitch in Dallas where a guy has proven he intends to continue subverting coach and teammates. The Cavs have no choice but to encourage Smith to access his normal side.
This is why I would be very leery of anything long term with JR. You just can’t trust that things will go well or remain normal for long.
“No reason to get all literal”????
Is there anything left in public discourse that’s not a gigantic pile of bull dung?
every team needs a guy on the edge, it helps keep everyone in line. the tricky part is understanding when to ditch that crazy guy for a new crazy guy. I don’t believe we are close to the point where we need to ditch J.R.
Quibble: the high TS% is because of his low usage rate, not despite it.
Agreed. Let’s not blow this out of proportion. The game (and series) were getting out of hand with dirty plays all around. JR lost his cool and wasn’t smart enough to conceal his cheap shot. Wasn’t a sportsmanlike move, sure, but I’m not going to cast him into Hades for showing Crowder what the five fingers said to the face.
Honestly I’m a little worried about Smith. The Bulls and Bucks were watching. I mention both teams because Chicago can’t seem to close a series out. I hope LeBron has a long talk with him about playing it cool.
https://33.media.tumblr.com/8ddc1f5e17fe7922f4b2d9d0f4e9d876/tumblr_mxotjsWDRl1rj3jmgo3_400.gif
Normally I refrain from profanity, but this seems appropriate.
He’s still under contract I believe next year so I assume he’d be back. I want Shump back.
perfect.
Someone had to retaliate but why couldn’t it have been someone more expendable. J.R. is the man for what he did but you have to go after Olynyk. Going after a different player is cheap and sends the wrong message.